The programme aims to address one of the key challenges facing innovative businesses: transitioning from a successful early-stage company into a scalable, investment-ready organisation. Through a combination of expert coaching, investor engagement and peer learning, the programme will help participating businesses build the foundations required for sustainable growth, increased market adoption and future investment. 

Unlike traditional accelerator programmes that focus on proving technology or securing initial customers, this pilot is specifically targeted at businesses that are ready to scale and need support to strengthen their leadership, commercial strategy, organisational capability and access to capital. 

• Scale-up coaching – Bespoke guidance on leadership, organisational design, growth strategy, sales capability and building a business ready for scaling. 

• Investment support – Expert coaching on fundraising strategy, investor engagement and targeting the right type of finance. 
• Investor introductions – Curated introductions to carefully selected investors, including venture capital, strategic and international investors aligned to each company’s growth ambitions. 
• Investor mentoring – Direct feedback and insights from experienced investors and fund managers. 
• Peer learning network – Opportunities to share experiences, challenges and best practice with fellow scale-up businesses and the wider Connected Places Catapult ecosystem. 
• Investor showcase event – Access to a dedicated investor-focused event designed to raise visibility and create meaningful investment opportunities. 

All support is fully funded and tailored to help ambitious SMEs strengthen their growth foundations, access new commercial opportunities and become investment-ready. 

Please note that the Scale-Up Support Programme does not provide investment or direct financial funding to participating businesses, and while the programme is designed to strengthen investment readiness and commercial opportunities, Connected Places Catapult cannot guarantee that participation will result in securing investment, contracts, or other commercial outcomes.