MK Accelerator Cohort Booklet
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events
Smart City Expo World Congress
The event for better cities and urban innovation.
Days hours mins secs
We’re excited to partner with Fira Barcelona and join 25,000+ visitors from over 130 countries.
Connected Places Catapult will lead the UK Pavilion, joining 1,100+ exhibitors, 600+ speakers, and representatives from 850+ cities.
The event annually attracts a diverse audience of industry executives, government leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs who come together to explore complex issues at the heart of a new model for cities and society.
Together with 20 partners from UK cities, regions, academia, freeports, and businesses, we will be showcasing smart and innovative solutions they have implemented to help deliver their city ambitions.
Our partners include:
Meet us in person in Hall 3, Stand D131 to share information and extend your network.
Join Us at the UK Pavilion!
Tuesday 4 November | 11:00–12:00
Kick off your day with the Launch of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and our Meet the UK Partners Business Brunch.
We’ll begin at 11:00 with a Welcome Address from Erika Lewis, CEO and UK Government Representative, followed by a networking brunch – a great chance to connect with UK cities, regions, and innovators.
Wednesday 5 November | 17:00–18:00
Join us for Networking Drinks hosted by our UK partners.
Meet the UK delegation and hear how they’re driving innovation and international collaboration to build better, more sustainable communities.
No registration needed – just drop by the UK Pavilion. We’d be delighted to see you there!
To find out how to arrange a business meeting with us and our UK partners, contact us at events@cp.catapult.org.uk or search for Connected Places Catapult on the SCEWC event app.
From local to global: smart city collaboration across the UK and beyond
11:00 – 11:20
The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy
Led by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the UK’s Industrial Strategy is a bold 10-year plan launched in 2025 to drive long-term economic growth, boost business investment, and position the UK as a global leader in future-focused industries.
Hear directly from the UK Government on how the strategy is progressing since its launch – and what’s next for innovation, investment, and international collaboration.
- Opening address: Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Connected Places Catapult
- Guest speaker: UK Government Representative, The Department for Business and Trade
11:20 – 12:00
Networking Brunch: Meet the UK Partners supported by the Department for Business and Trade
Kick-start your Congress experience with our Networking Brunch! Connect with 20 UK partner organisations – including cities, regions, academia, freeports, and innovative SMEs – all showcasing their smart solutions at the UK Pavilion and have some delicious food and freshly brewed coffee.
12:00 – 12:35
How Can the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and the AI Growth Plan help Drive Towards a More Digital Future?
This panel explores how AI, data infrastructure, and digital twin technologies – central to the UK’s Industrial Strategy -can drive sustainable growth. It highlights how smart cities, Freeports, and innovation clusters are harnessing digital transformation to build inclusive, resilient economies ready for future challenges.
- Chair: Erika Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Connected Places Catapult
- Tiffany St James, Chief AI Officer, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Freyja Lockwood, Programme Manager- Digital Office, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
- Alison Young, Head of New Business and Partnerships, Thames Freeport
13:00 – 13:35
Innovation at Scale: Public-Private collaboration for smart infrastructure
Explore how cities and tech innovators co-develop infrastructure pilots, investment zones, and innovation districts. This session highlights scalable models for collaboration, procurement, and deployment, with insights on clusters, accelerators, SME involvement, and procurement reform. Learn from UK innovation zones and their global relevance in accelerating smart urban transformation.
- Chair: to be confirmed
- Naomi Hutchinson Yes Chief Innovation Growth Officer Sunderland City Council
- Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
- Oana Beattie, Vice President, Kyndryl
- Michael Quane, Chief Commercial Officer, Terminus Technologies
- Theresa Searle, Telecoms Unit Manager, Glasgow City Council
14:00 – 14:35
From Sandbox to Scale: How are Testbeds Accelerating Innovation Adoption Across UK Regions
Testbeds enable place-based innovation by trialing emerging technologies in real-world settings. Applied to local challenges like transport or public health, they offer controlled environments for experimentation. This helps de-risk investment through validation, user insights, and measurable impact -informing smarter procurement and accelerating adoption across regions.
- Chair: Marcos Kauffman, Research Centre Director, Coventry University
- Freyja Lockwood, Programme Manager- Digital Office, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
- Miles Blagden, Inward Investment Manager – Sustainability, London & Partners
15:00 – 15:35
How the advancements in data architectures and generative AI are providing ‘game changing’ opportunities for public sector reform.
This session explores how advances in data architecture and generative AI are transforming public services. With practical examples from local authorities, it highlights opportunities for reform and addresses key ethical and security considerations in deploying these technologies.
- Chair: Justin Anderson, Data and Digital Managing Director, Connected Places Catapult
- Liz St Louis, Director of Smart Cities and Enabling Services, Sunderland City Council
- Freyja Lockwood, Programme Manager- Digital Office, West of England Mayoral Combined Authority
- Dr Colin Birchenall, Chief Digital Officer, Glasgow City Council
16:00 – 16:35
How Places Lead with Data: From Policy to Practice
This session explores how UK Government investment and legislation are reshaping the data landscape. It highlights how cities are implementing national strategies through data sharing, digital twins, and interoperable platforms -building resilience, driving growth, and showcasing why cities are uniquely positioned to lead digital transformation.
- Chair: Lloyd Broad, Head of European and International Affairs, Birmingham City Council
- Dr Amit Bhave, CEO & Founder, CMCL
- Tiffany St James, Chief AI Officer, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Liz Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer, QRoutes
- Phil Swan, Director for Digital, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Unlocking economic growth through AI, data and digital twins
10:00 – 10:35
How Technology Can Improve the Efficiency of the UK Transport Landscape
Technology is making UK transport smarter and greener, with AI, data, and automation powering seamless journeys and faster, cleaner logistics. These innovations are building connected cities where efficient, sustainable movement, benefits everyone.
- Chair: Sameer Savani, Transport Managing Director Connected Places Catapult
- Mike Dawson, People and Transformation Director, Belfast Harbour
- Liz Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer, QRoutes
11:00 – 11:35
Driving a more inclusive future for the UK
This panel explores how inclusive innovation, policy, and place-based strategies can shape a fairer future for communities across the UK. Speakers will share insights on unlocking opportunity through collaboration, investment, and inclusive design – ensuring no one is left behind in the UK’s transformation journey.
- Chair: to be confirmed
- Dr Adrian Johnston, Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfast
- Liz Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer, QRoutes
- Angela Harrington, Director of Inclusive Economy, Manchester City Council
12:00 – 12:35
Lunch session: Leading Urban Transformation for the Future: Lessons from the Lesser-known: A Capstone project for the EIT UM Emerging Leaders Programme
This session would provide an opportunity to explore how cities can collaborate to strengthen urban leadership, building on the experiences of the Emerging Leaders programme and its previous editions.
- Chair: Olev Parts, Deputy Head of Talinn Transport Department, Tallinn Transport Department, Estonia
- Mihai Ionut, Consultant to the Mayor of Bacau, Primaria Municipiului Bacau, Romania
- Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, United Kingdom
- Juan Carlos Escudero, Head of Mobility and Data Science Unit, Centre for Environmental Studies, Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, Spain
- Emma Court, Walking & Cycling Officer Fingal County Council, Republic of Ireland
14:00 – 14:35
Modelling Success: Digital Twins as Policy Outcome Accelerators
Digital twins are evolving from concept to impact.
This panel explores how governments and stakeholders are using digital twin simulations to anticipate challenges, test scenarios, and deliver measurable outcomes in infrastructure, climate resilience, mobility, and public services. Panellists will share real-world applications, lessons learned, and the potential for smarter, faster, and more effective policy-making.
- Chair: To be confirmed
- Amit Bhave, CEO & Founder, CMCL
- Liz Davidson, Chief Marketing Officer, QRoutes
15:00 – 15:35
Launch of Nexus Digital Twin and STRIDE Test-Bed
The launch of the Nexus Digital Twin and its integration into the STRIDE Test-Bed marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of smart city innovation. These platforms serve as dynamic environments for testing, validating, and scaling digital twin technologies across sectors, enabling real-time simulation, predictive analytics, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Chair: Dan Isaacs, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Twin Consortium
- Sian Purvey, National Operations Manager, Crysp
- David McKee, CEO & Founder, Counterpoint Technologies
- Dennis Dokter, Smart Cities Lead, Manager Data and Insights, Nexus, University of Leeds
17:00 – 18:00
Networking Drinks Reception: Meet the UK Partners
Join us for an informal evening of conversation and connection with leading UK organisations driving smart city innovation. This reception offers a unique opportunity to meet UK partners across government, industry, and academia, explore collaboration opportunities, and celebrate shared ambitions for sustainable urban transformation. Enjoy drinks, light refreshments, and engaging dialogue in a relaxed setting.
Creating an inclusive, sustainable and better connected urban future
10:00 – 10:35
Seeding and Scaling Innovation Districts: International Perspectives on Policy, Partnerships, Placemaking and Infrastructure
This panel explores how innovation districts can be seeded and scaled through policy, partnerships, placemaking, and infrastructure. UK and International experts will share insights on governance, investment, and community engagement, highlighting global approaches to building inclusive, resilient innovation ecosystems that drive urban transformation and cross-sector collaboration.
- Chair and speakers to be confirmed
11:00 – 11:45
Planning and Funding Smart Transport
This panel explores how smart transport – powered by AI – can enhance daily life and productivity. It examines the role of autonomous vehicles in attracting investment, the potential of road user charging, and how smarter infrastructure planning can unlock efficiency and economic growth.
- Chair and speakers to be confirmed
Agora Stage
Tuesday 4 November | 17:50–18:35
Panel: Building Resilient Places with Data Sharing Infrastructure at Fira’s Stage: Infrastructure & Building
Chair: Erika Lewis, CEO, Connected Places Catapult
events
Innovation Zero 2024
The UK's largest net-zero congress
Event finished: 1st May 2024
We are delighted to once again participate in Innovation Zero, and we’re contributing to a number of sessions, including:
Andrew Chadwick, Ecosystem Director, Air Mobility & Airports, joining the Fuelling Flight: Hydrogen session on 1 May at 11:45.
Alison Young, Head of Global Investment, joining the session on Funding the Automotive Transformation, on 1 May at 12:25 in the Transport & Mobility Forum.
events
Connected North 2024
Delivering the North's Connected Future
Event finished: 23rd April 2024
We are hosting a Digital Twin Hub session on Day 1, 22 April at 2pm, titled ‘Digital twins driving innovation in the North – Explore innovative projects that look to catapult the North of the UK into a bright digital future’. Join Nury Moreira, Community Manager of Digital Twin Hub, and other speakers for an inspiring conversation.
events
UKREiiF 2024
The UK's Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum
Event finished: 23rd May 2024
This year, we are proud to host our own Pavilion, a place designed to showcase real innovation, and provide opportunities to connect with thought leaders, and UK and global peers.
To review our full Agenda of sessions and activities taking place over the three days and plan your visit, please head to the UKREiiF website > Programme tab > Download Programme or > Click on the Connected Places Catapult Pavilion dot to browse online.
Make sure to visit our Pavilion in Pavilion Square, we look forward to connecting with you in Leeds!
events
Interchange 2024
Be the Change
Event finished: 28th February 2024
Paul Wilson, our Chief Business Officer, is participating in the keynote panel titled ‘Transport as the key to people-centric, accessible, and sustainable urban spaces’ on 27 Feb, from 13:10 on the Keynote Stage.
Justin Anderson, Director of Digital Twin Hub, is delivering a presentation on connected digital twins as part of Interchange partner event Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP) Live, also on 27 Feb.
Come find us on the show floor and connect!
Register using code CPC24.
events
Open and Agile Smart Cities (OASC) Conference 2024
Become better connected
Event finished: 17th January 2024
We’re delighted to participate in the Open & Agile Smart Cities Conference. Make sure to visit our Connected Places Catapult stand on the show floor and to join the sessions our experts are participating in over the course of the two days.
events
Paul Wilson, our Chief Business Officer, will chair the panel ‘Strategies for delivering place-based connectivity models’ on 20 September at 10:40.
Later that day, Dr. Wolfgang Schuster, our Executive Director, Ecosystem Innovation, will join the keynote panel on ‘Connectivity as the cornerstone of a greener future’ at 17:40.
events
Milton Keynes Accelerator Demo Day
Celebrate with us the culmination of the first Milton Keynes Accelerator.
Event finished: 16th November 2022
Event Details
Join us on the 16th of November for the Milton Keynes Accelerator Demo Day! A programme sponsored by Milton Keynes Council and powered by Connected Places Catapult.
The programme which was designed to support post-Covid recovery and Milton Keynes’ ambitious commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, sourced and selected a cohort of 10 disruptive SMEs. They addressed challenges relating to sustainable mobility, renewable energy and air quality, infrastructure resilience and community engagement.
Demo Day will provide a forum for the cohort to showcase their businesses, demonstrate how they can collaborate with industry and local government and share their future roadmap as they continue to scale their partnerships with the Council and partners such as Amey, Centre MK, Socius Group and Elisa among others.
Why join as an investor?
Come and meet the brilliant entrepreneurs that took part in the programme
Get to know the latest smart city trends
You’re interested in rubbing elbows with founders, executives, and investors
Why join as an industry player?
Discover new innovative solutions that can help your company deliver better, more resilient and greener projects
Create valuable connections with other players in transport, infrastructure and sustainability
Agenda
15:30 Registration & Networking
16:00 Welcome
16:10 SME presentations
17:00 Exhibition, Networking & Buffet
18:30 Close
You can download the cohort brochure to find out more below.
If you have any questions, please reach out to:
Andrea Perez Cipollitti – Accelerator Programme Manager andrea.pcipollitti@cp.catapult.org.uk
