Get support for ideas that could help with automating operations, integrating future fuels and improving safety in ports.
Connected Places Catapult is excited to introduce the Transport Accelerator: Maritime; a dynamic initiative 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.
This six-month programme is seeking a cohort of up to eight SMEs operating at TRL 5-8.
The Catapult is collaborating with a consortium of programme partners: Serco, Port of Tyne, National Shipbuilding Office, University of Plymouth, Portsmouth International Port, Royal Navy Maritime Enterprise, and Maersk.
SMEs that join the programme will benefit from engaging with, and being supported by, the programme partners either with their trials or with mentoring, depending on the solutions within the cohort.
Every SME on the programme will receive bespoke commercial support. This is scoped through a thorough business needs assessment process and could include market analysis, value proposition refinement, strategic pricing, financial forecasting, and developing compelling communication strategies.
In addition to the business support, successful applicants will be able to apply for between £10K and -£20K of programme funding to deliver a four-month trial of their solution as part of an agreed collaboration with a programme partner.
The partners bring a wealth of knowledge and will be able to provide invaluable access to internal expertise and testing facilities to the SMEs.
The Transport Accelerator: Maritime builds on the past three years of success of the Catapult’s previous Maritime Accelerator programme, during which time 22 SMEs were supported, and nine trials were delivered.
Watch the application support video below to listen to the FAQs and for tips on what makes a good application.
Key Dates
Programme challenge
1. Autonomous Operations
How might we improve integration of connected and autonomous plant and machinery?
We are seeking innovative solutions that can:
- support with automating / semi-automating operations (including retrofitting) in the following areas:
- Non Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) including, but not limited to, mobile harbour cranes, road tugs and lifting machinery
- biomass fuel operations, such as cleaning the biomass facilities
- confined spaces operations, such as cleaning / inspecting tanks
- manufacturing
- baggage handling
- general port operations
- improve efficiency of movement into the port
- optimise power requirements of land-based equipment
- manufacturing activity in shipyards
2. Storage and distribution of future fuels
How might we enable seamless integration of future fuels in ports?
We are seeking innovative solutions that offer:
- modular and/or lightweight storage methods for different fuel types for different users in the limited space of a transport hub setting (such as a port or vessel)
- systems for energy management such as:
- battery asset usage optimisation
- battery asset charging optimisation
- reduced power requirements shoreside or onboard a vessel
- ease of capturing future fuel requirements
3. People’s safety experience
How might we improve safety for both operators and passengers in and around the operational environment?
We are seeking innovative solutions that can:
- optimise hazard mitigation efforts for plant and human interaction
- improve the safety of more ‘at risk’ roles through the use of wearables or other technology
- improve signal reception onboard small vessels
- improve training, specifically around areas of innovation such as future fuels and autonomous plant and machinery
4. Open Challenge
Although this Accelerator focuses primarily on three challenge areas which are of specific interest to Connected Places Catapult and our partners, the open challenge welcomes any innovative solutions that could yield significant advantages for the UK Maritime sector and the wider transport sector. This might also include solutions which could encourage retention and career development in the maritime sector.
What’s on offer to smes?
01
Coaching and Mentoring
Including pitch coaching, business support and VC support
02
Investment Readiness
Tailored investment readiness programme, with support from investment coaches
03
Funding Opportunities
Opportunity to access our fund for trial proposal development or trialling
04
Trial Support
Trial design, deployment support, mentoring and evaluation
05
Business Development
4-month tailored business development support and introductions
“Connected Places Catapult’s Maritime Accelerator 2024 has been an invaluable catalyst for Rux Energy. The programme provided us with industry connections, expert guidance, and strategic support, accelerating our journey toward commercialising our next-generation hydrogen storage solutions. The collaboration with Serco – focused on decarbonising their fleet workboats – was instrumental in demonstrating the real-world impact of our technology, while the strategic support from WeSprint was a game-changer for our growth. We highly recommend this programme to any SME looking to scale and drive meaningful change in the maritime sector.”Marius Bosch, Rux Energy Ltd (Cohort 3)
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible:
- you must be a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
- you must be UK-registered
- you must have a solution which is technical readiness level (TRL) 5 – 8. This means that the solution has, at least, been tested or demonstrated in its intended environment and, at most, has been deployed as a first-of-a-kind commercial system
- your solution must address one or more of the identified challenges
- you already operate in the maritime sector, or be looking to bring your solution into maritime space from another sector
- you must be willing to travel on occasion for face-to-face meetings such as the Welcome Day on Thursday 11 September 2025
- you must be willing to participate in the programme activities between September 2025 and March 2026 inclusive
How to apply
Please register through the link below.
Applications close 16 June 2025, 9 am
Supporting documents
Questions & Answers
Register for one of the drop-in sessions at the link below. For any questions please contact: kirsty.murphy@cp.catapult.org.uk
Questions and answers that may be relevant to other applicants for the Open Call will be added to this section for all to access. (Questions posted will not be attributed to those that submitted them.)
Our Partners
