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

Opportunity

HMGCC Challenge: Rapidly deployed tech to track intruders

The UK government requires temporary use spaces to be secured ensuring they haven’t been entered and compromised whilst left physically unattended. Intruder monitoring systems that can be easily and quickly deployed by non-technical staff are being sought in the latest challenge released by HMGCC Co-Creation.
Opportunity

HADeS Competition 2024

The Department for Transport (DfT), supported by Connected Places Catapult has launched the HADeS (High Assurance Detection Systems) competition 2024 to find new technologies, products, and services to enhance UK airports’ checkpoint security screening capability.
Opportunity

National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme 2025

Introducing the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme 2025, delivered by Connected Places Catapult in partnership with the ncat consortium. This programme is dedicated to funding those pioneering solutions that enhance transport accessibility for disabled people. 
Opportunity

Unlocking the value chain of EVs and micromobility in India

Unlocking the value chain of EVs and micromobility in India is an initiative to help businesses explore opportunities, establish long-lasting partnerships in the Indian market and accelerate the growth of their business and global footprint.
Opportunity

Call for proposals: challenges and innovation in urban commercial real estate and public spaces

Connected Places Catapult is pleased to invite proposals for research to help drive innovation in the urban Commercial Real Estate (CRE).
Opportunity

HMGCC Challenge: AI / Novel Technology Red Agent Penetration Testing

In the latest challenge launched by HMGCC Co-Creation, applications are being invited from organisations that work with AI or novel technologies in penetration testing.