18.07.23, BIRMINGHAM, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, today announced that applications are open for the new DIATOMIC Accelerator. From today, innovative small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the West Midlands can apply for support and funding to trial solutions in response to one of four challenge areas identified by Birmingham City Council. A total of half a million pounds is available to support up to 12 companies selected to take part, with each being supported to develop and deliver live testing and trials.
Tech innovators sought to supercharge Birmingham’s public services

Firms with innovative approaches to collecting data, monitoring performance, sharing knowledge and engaging with members of the public are invited to put themselves forward. The identified challenges are:
- Data insights: How can technology transform the way Birmingham City Council connects, analyses and understands data about assets, resources and user behaviours to drive efficiencies and better serve citizens’ needs?
- Performance: How can technology transform public service delivery through monitoring and evaluation that improves standards, compliance and efficiency, to meet the needs and expectations of citizens?
- Citizen engagement: How can technology transform how Birmingham City Council engages with citizens and enable meaningful dialogue to meet the environmental and service needs of the city and its residents?
- Knowledge sharing: How can technology transform training and knowledge sharing at Birmingham City Council to increase capability and confidence in regulation, decarbonisation and compliance, to better serve the needs of citizens?
Alongside funding for the development and delivery of testing and trials, companies selected for the Accelerator will benefit from bespoke technical and commercial support as well as networking and showcasing events to connect with industry and financial partners.
“I encourage local businesses to think creatively about how their solutions might help address the challenges we have outlined and consider applying.”
About Diatomic
The DIATOMIC (Digital InnovAtion TransfOrMatIve Change) Accelerator is being led by Connected Places Catapult in collaboration with Birmingham City Council, STEAMhouse and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. It is part of the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, which is designed to bolster the region’s innovation and R&D capability and 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.