24.08.26, LONDON, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation agency for transport, construction and data infrastructure, has today announced the opening of applications for the Freight Innovation Fund: Venture Growth Programme.

From today, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with proven freight and logistics solutions can apply to the programme.

The programme is being run as a pilot and forms part of the wider Freight Innovation Fund, which is delivered by Connected Places Catapult on behalf of the Department for Transport. It has been designed to support innovators at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 (prototype demonstration in an operational environment) to 9 (qualified through successful mission operations). This will be an extension of the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator, which has been supporting SMEs at TRL 5 (basic validation in a relevant environment) to 7 since 2023 to progress their solutions to the point where they are conducting real world trials.

Through a four-month long provision of bespoke support, successful participants will refine their commercial proposition, strengthen deployment planning and build the capabilities needed for long-term growth. They will also benefit from access to the Catapult’s network of freight and logistics operators and investors, which will help them validate commercial opportunities, develop strategic partnerships and strengthen their investment case. 

Innovators have until 21 September to apply with their trial-validated solutions to the following challenges:

• Improving multi-modality

Improving the movement of freight across ports, rail, road, maritime and logistics hubs through better coordination, visibility and interoperability.  

• Digital freight and logistics systems

Improving visibility, planning, forecasting, and decision-making across freight and logistics operations using operational infrastructure (data, AI and digital technologies).  

• Next-generation transport management and distribution

Improving how freight is transported, handled, stored and distributed through better use of vehicles, warehouses, equipment and workforce resources. 

• Energy and infrastructure

Supporting the transition to a lower-carbon and more resilient freight system through smarter energy, charging and infrastructure solutions. 

“Our Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator has supported 44 SMEs over the past four years to validate their products with real-world trials and deployment. But once a solution has been validated and even commissioned, many innovators still struggle to scale further and create meaningful market impact.

“That’s why I’m genuinely excited to launch this new programme that targets support at the final barriers facing innovators to become investment-ready and scale.

“Its addition to the Freight Innovation Fund creates an end to end innovation pipeline, that moves beyond solution validation to providing the final stage of commercial and investment readiness that move innovation gains from incremental to transformational.”

Sameer Savani, Transport & Infrastructure Managing Director at Connected Places Catapult

Prospective applicants can apply via the Catapult’s website. Applications close at midday on 21 September.