Work with us

We help SMEs take innovative solutions
from idea to market.

Our SME programme will help you secure funding, run a test bed, find delivery partners & new customers. This is suitable for SMEs of all sizes.
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The SME programme.

We provide networking, business and innovation support for companies at all stages of their evolution.

  • Join the SME network to unlock collaboration & innovation opportunities
  • Benefit from innovation communities that accelerate the use of technology and drive regional growth
  • Connect with other SMEs through our unique engagement & development programme
  • Drive economic growth by connecting with innovative SMEs to solve current industry challenges
  • De-risk innovation through collaboration partnerships within our SME network

Join our SME network,
a catalyst for innovation.

Every year we facilitate hundreds of interactions between SMEs and the markets we operate in through our proven Innovation Ecosystem.

01

Investor days

To showcase your innovative solutions to a network of VCs and angel investors, for a chance to raise seed and Series A money.

02

SME Masterclass

A series of masterclasses to overcome barriers to growth by addressing specific business needs, and helping businesses to develop new concepts, prototypes, products and services.

03

Business Needs Assessment

Work with our expert team to identify areas for growth & improvement, develop an action plan, and find resources to help take your business to the next level.

04

Connections Café

Business support and networking events that bring together our SME Community and key representatives of industry, government and funders to discuss cross-industry topics.

05

Industry days

Networking events to convene with the marketplace, and meet industry players who are potential buyers for your solutions.

JOIN OUR SME NETWORK, A CATALYST FOR INNOVATION.

Accelerators

SME Accelerators provide intensive support for cohorts of startups, aiming to get them ready for investment quickly. Our programmes work with high potential SMEs in transport and urban innovation spaces.

Funding & Grants

We help secure early stage, proof-of-concept funding. Providing investment to de-risk emerging solutions and speeding up their route to market.

Opportunities & Case Studies

Maritime transports
Opportunity

Transport Research and Innovation Grants 2025

Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) provide early-stage funding for innovations in science, engineering, or technology delivered by The Department for Transport’s (DfT) project delivery partner, Connected Places Catapult.
Opportunity

Personal electronics detector to stop data leak risk

Detectors to spot hidden phones, smart watches or other electronic devices are sought in the latest challenge launched by HMGCC Co-Creation.
A worker in a hard hat and high-visibility vest oversees a forklift lifting a blue shipping container, surrounded by stacks of colorful containers in a shipping yard.
Opportunity

Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator 2025

The Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator will support up to 15 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to develop a trial to test their solutions in real-world environments to help solve pressing challenges within the freight sector.
Opportunity

Transport Accelerator: Maritime 2025

Get support for ideas that could help with automating operations, integrating future fuels and improving safety in ports.
Opportunity

Surveillance challenge using edge AI

In this challenge, HMGCC Co-Creation wants to hear from organisations capable of enabling visual surveillance systems to operate with less power – using edge AI.
Opportunity

Public Realm Innovation Initiative

Partner with Connected Places Catapult to unlock the value of public space.