17.09.25, LONDON, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, the built environment, cities and local growth, announced today the companies selected to join the Transport Accelerator: Maritime. 

Funded by Innovate UK, the programme is dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with pioneering solutions that could be applicable to the maritime industry and the wider transport sector. Previous participants on Connected Places Catapult’s Maritime Accelerator – the predecessor to this programme – have gone on to raise over £24m as a result of the programme. 

The companies selected for this cohort responded to a call for solutions that can help with the integration of autonomous plant and machinery, storing and distributing future fuels, and improving safety in ports. 

Each company on the programme will receive bespoke business support and the opportunity to access funding to support trials of their solution. The Catapult is collaborating with a consortium of programme partners to support and engage with SMEs on the programme. The partners are: Serco, Port of Tyne, National Shipbuilding Office, University of Plymouth, Portsmouth International Port, Royal Navy Maritime Enterprise, and Maersk. 

Meet the companies selected for the Transport Accelerator: Maritime and their innovations: 

AceOn Group, a battery specialist company, delivers zero-emission port-side charging systems and maritime battery solutions to replace off-grid diesel power. Modular battery units provide reliable, high-capacity energy for vessels at berth, cutting emissions, reducing fuel use and supporting a more sustainable maritime industry. 

Fidelis AI is developing AI simulation technologies to streamline training and testing of autonomous systems (including autonomous maritime, ground and aerial systems) enabling their safe and scalable deployment. Reducing the need for real-world data gathering and testing.  

Lorefully is an AI platform which helps capture and share critical operational knowledge from frontline teams and communities; creating insights to improve decision making to keep people safe and systems running smoothly. 

H2CHP has developed a linear generator to produce zero carbon power. Hydrogen and other cleaner fuels are converted into electricity and heat for use by maritime and industrial markets that need compact, flexible, and sustainable solutions. 

HydroStar Europe is developing hybrid, green hydrogen-based energy generation and storage solutions, designed to address grid and infrastructure limitations in port operations, and provide zero-emission energy for vessels and onshore infrastructure. 

Innvotek has developed Amphibian, a robotic crawler designed to inspect and maintain critical infrastructure – including ship hulls – above and below the waterline, including the splash zone. The platform combines advanced sensors and non-destructive testing technologies to perform complex tasks safely and efficiently, eliminating risk to human divers. 

UniVirtua has created dashAlpha, a platform which bonds terrestrial and satellite bearers to provide seamless and resilient connectivity on the move to allow live uninterrupted audio and video communications and data exchange when connections are poor, as is often the case in maritime applications.

“As the maritime world focusses its attention on the UK for London International Shipping Week, I’m proud that we are able to unveil this group of innovators with big ideas to make a real difference in the sector.”

“With access to our maritime sector partners and backing from the Catapult, these innovators will be supported to progress technologies that can help accelerate autonomous operations, develop new ways to manage future fuels, and improve safety in and around ports.”

Speaking during London International Shipping Week, Richard Holland, Head of Maritime at Connected Places Catapult