Clean Futures Accelerator: Trial Opportunity for SMEs

Applications close midnight 6 July 2025

Test and validate your clean technology with funding (up to £50,000) and expertise from Coventry University’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing.

The Clean Futures Accelerator programme is looking for West Midlands SMEs who have innovative solutions to the following challenges: Net Zero Manufacturing, Future Fuels, Clean Energy Conversion or the Circular Economy. Successful applicants will have the chance to conduct a 6-month trial (2 months planning, 4 months testing) in collaboration with Coventry University. A total funding pot of £300,000 has been made available with projects receiving £10,000 to £50,000 each.

About Clean Futures

The West Midlands has huge potential to drive jobs and growth through harnessing the power of innovation. As identified in the West Midlands Plan for Growth, the region is the centre for key growth clusters for advanced manufacturing and home to the ‘Green Industrial Revolution’.

Clean Futures is supporting the West Midlands’ transport sector as it transitions away from fossil fuels towards clean tech and is driving economic growth in the region by accelerating the route to market for SMEs in the sector. The programme is being led by Connected Places Catapult alongside partners Coventry University.

About this Year

Entering its third year and building on the success and achievements of two previous cohorts, the Clean Futures Accelerator offers a unique opportunity for 10 ambitious SMEs to accelerate the validation and commercialisation of their clean technologies. A core component of this 6-month, challenge-driven accelerator is the provision of rigorous technical trials designed to test and validate their innovative solutions in real-world scenarios. These trials are supported by a dedicated funding pool, with two levels available to suit different requirements.

The programme offers Standard Trials, funded between £10,000 and £25,000, providing essential resources for focused testing and validation projects. For SMEs requiring more extensive project testing, there is also the option to apply for Comprehensive Trials, with potential funding ranging from £25,001 up to £50,000. The scope and complexity of the proposed trial, alongside an in-kind match funding contribution from the applicant, will determine the appropriate trial category.

This year’s programme is in collaboration with Coventry University, leveraging their expertise, extensive industry network and advanced facilities to provide comprehensive technical trial support.

In addition to the technical trial opportunities, participating SMEs will benefit from commercial support valued at up to £250,000. This includes bespoke consultancy provided by Connected Places Catapult and our partners, offering strategic guidance to senior leadership on key business growth areas. Support may include, but is not limited to, facilitating market entry strategies and enhancing operational efficiency, contributing significantly to the SMEs’ future success. Furthermore, the programme offers valuable showcasing opportunities to connect with industry stakeholders and investors, alongside opportunities for PR and press engagement to elevate the visibility of participating companies.

The accelerator challenges and eligibility criteria can be found below.

Application Support Webinar

On 3 June, Connected Places Catapult will host an online Application Support Webinar covering everything you need to know to apply to the accelerator.

This event will give applicants the opportunity to find out more about the programme offering, trial facilities, technical support, challenges, the application process, scoring criteria and the assessment process. There will also be a live Q&A for prospective applicants to ask any further questions or check their eligibility.

Programme Challenges

The Clean Futures Accelerator invites applications for innovative solutions that tackle four specific challenge areas, in addition to an open challenge. To be considered, your technology, product, or service should address at least one of the challenge themes below. These challenges are aligned with the strategic ambitions of the West Midlands to protect and grow its economy and businesses, decarbonise key sectors, particularly manufacturing and transport, and to accelerate progress toward a Net Zero economy.

Learn more about the challenges

Challenge 1: Net zero manufacturing

Challenge 2: Future fuels and material

We are seeking innovations that reduce industrial emissions through the application of Manufacturing 4.0 technologies, such as digital tools, automation, data-driven optimisation, and process innovation. Around one-third of the West Midlands’ regional emissions stem from industrial activity, particularly concentrated in areas like the Black Country.

This challenge focuses on accelerating the adoption of advanced manufacturing solutions that enable more efficient, low-carbon production. Innovations that reduce the embedded carbon in manufactured products, delivering the same or improved performance with lower carbon intensity, are especially encouraged.
Solutions may come from manufacturers directly, or from technology providers and consultancies working with delivery partners to pilot and scale across industry.

This challenge seeks innovative fuel and material technologies that support decarbonisation across the manufacturing and transport sectors, excluding battery-based solutions. We are looking for SMEs that are developing or deploying:

Clean fuels such as hydrogen, synthetic fuels, organic fuels, or biomasses, especially for applications where electrification is not yet viable (e.g. high-temperature industrial processes).
Low-carbon material innovations that reduce emissions associated with the sourcing, processing, or use of traditionally high-emission industrial materials such as steel, cement, plastics, or aluminium.

Challenge 3: Clean energy conversion

Challenge 4: Circular economy

This challenge focuses on reducing wasted renewable energy by enabling its conversion and effective use. Clean energy sources like solar and wind are increasingly central to our energy mix, yet often produce surplus power that cannot be fed back into the grid at high volumes or at the right times. As a result, valuable clean energy is lost, up to £1 billion worth per year and growing, and fossil fuel sources remain in use to meet demand at other times.

We are inviting SMEs with solutions that capture, convert, and put this excess energy to use in manufacturing or transport contexts. Innovations could involve the development or deployment of clean energy vectors or other technologies that help reduce dependency on fossil fuels and maximise the value of clean power generation. Battery-based solutions are not in scope.

Applicants should state a realistic target for energy retention or utilisation as part of their proposal.

This challenge calls for innovations that reduce waste and increase the reuse or repurposing of materials in manufacturing processes. We are looking for SMEs that can improve circularity at any point in the lifecycle, from product design and materials selection to the recovery and reuse of post-use or stockpiled materials.

The West Midlands has a strong industrial base, and this presents a major opportunity to reduce embodied carbon and avoid unnecessary disposal of valuable resources. Applicants should show how their solution can reduce environmental impact while offering a compelling cost efficiency or value case to industry stakeholders.

Open call

In addition to the four core challenge areas, we welcome applications that broadly support the aims of the Clean Futures Accelerator and the wider transition to a Net Zero economy. The Open Challenge offers flexibility for SMEs with high-potential solutions that may not align precisely with one of the defined themes but still contribute meaningfully to the West Midlands’ clean growth agenda.

Why apply?

Up to £50K funding

Technical facilities & support

Bespoke commercial consultancy

Coaching & mentoring

Networking & showcase opportunities

Business development opportunities

Am I eligible for this programme?

Required:

A registered United Kingdom company address.
Registration or operational base within the West Midlands region.
Demonstrable alignment of the proposed solution to one of the specific programme challenges.
Commitment to undertake travel to and attendance at all scheduled face-to-face meetings and events held within the West Midlands.
Commitment to complete the development, testing, or demonstration of the proposed solution within a real or relevant environment, utilising Coventry University test site facilities.
Provision of in-kind match funding equivalent to 100% of the requested funding amount (e.g. personnel costs, materials).

Encouraged:

A registered United Kingdom company address located within the West Midlands Combined Authority region.
An innovative technology or solution currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above.

How to apply?

Interested SMEs should carefully review all supporting documentation before submitting their application.

Applications close midnight on 6 July

Apply now

Application Process:

Mandatory Standard Trial Application: All applicants must submit a detailed proposal for a Standard Trial, outlining its objectives, methodology, execution plan, and a breakdown of the in-kind match funding your organisation will provide. Funding for Standard Trials ranges from £10,000 to £25,000.
(Optional) Comprehensive Trial Proposal: In addition to the Standard Trial application, applicants may also submit a proposal for a Comprehensive Trial, which should have a broader scope and more complex objectives. This proposal must also include a detailed breakdown of the in-kind match funding. Funding for Comprehensive Trials ranges from £25,000 to £50,000.

Please note that if your application is shortlisted, in-person interviews will be held in the West Midlands between 21 July and 29 July . Applicants must ensure they are available to attend an interview during this period.