01.05.24, BIRMINGHAM, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, has today announced that applications are open for the second round of the Clean Futures Accelerator.
Innovative small-to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for support and funding to develop solutions in response to one of four challenge areas identified in the field of green transport. A total of £1 Million is available to support 20 companies selected to take part in this second year of the programme, with each receiving up to £50,000.
Clean Futures is led by Connected Places Catapult, the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), Coventry University and Coventry University Services. It is part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, which is designed to bolster the region’s innovation and R&D capability and capacity to spark commercial growth and investment. The West Midlands Innovation Accelerator is delivered in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Innovate UK and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
To be selected for the Clean Futures Accelerator, companies will have to show they have a solution that can address one of four challenges, which have been developed around the rail and automotive manufacturing sectors, along with related supply chains.
The four challenges are:
Clean and Efficient Vehicle Manufacturing and Assembly: Focusing on minimising scope 3 emissions, improving the integration of sustainable vehicles into the circular economy, and addressing the cost of acquiring and operating clean transport technologies.
Design or production of cost-effective solutions for a clean transportation infrastructure: Contributing to the development of mass rail-based transit systems that are accessible to everyone; clean, reliable and sustainable and that reduce air pollution and emissions.
Future Fuels: Produce, transport, or store alternative fuels such as hydrogen or biofuels: Exploring alternative sustainable fuels as the transition to electrification progresses, for scenarios including rural transportation and agri-tech where long distances and sparse charging infrastructure pose challenges.
Open Challenge: Looking at applications which contribute to sustainable transport and clean manufacturing in general.