Transport

Creating cleaner, safer, smarter and more resilient transport systems

The UK transport sector is under growing pressure to decarbonise, improve safety, increase resilience and deliver better outcomes for passengers and freight. But complexity, risk and market barriers can slow the adoption of new technologies and innovation at scale.

We help transport organisations and high-potential businesses overcome barriers to innovation by validating emerging technologies in real-world and highly regulated infrastructure environments, accelerating the deployment of proven solutions across the transport sector.

By connecting industry, innovators, investors and government, we help scale proven transport solutions that improve performance, productivity and long-term sustainability across the UK transport system.

delivered using active airports and rail stations for trialling new solutions.

trials delivered in 2025- 2026 alone.

raised in private investment by supported SMEs since 2019.

in actualised cost-savings for HS2 as a result from our accelerators.

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Our services

Connected Places Catapult is a proven delivery partner for transport operators, infrastructure owners, government and high-potential SMEs.

We help identify, test and scale solutions that improve transport performance, sustainability and operational resilience.

Our services for transport industry organisations and SMEs include:

Our focus areas

Photo of Sameer Savani

We have an imperative to transform the transport sector – creating systems that are more sustainable, reliable, safe and accessible to all. At Connected Places Catapult, we collaborate with the entire transport ecosystem to catalyse change.

Sameer Savani, Transport & Construction Managing Director,

Connected Places Catapult

Scaling SME growth

We work directly with high potential transport businesses in the UK to support growth and commercialisation through our projects and programmes, which aim to:

  • Help SMEs turn potential into performance
  • Reduce risk so individual businesses can scale
  • Support SMEs to compete in real markets
Shape-shifting lorry promises greener and cheaper logistics
Article

Shape-shifting lorry promises greener and cheaper logistics

Freight trailers might soon be transformed at the push of a button, to improve aerodynamics when carrying smaller loads.
Autonomous boat scale-up charts rapid growth
Article

Autonomous boat scale-up charts rapid growth

Online Oceans received Catapult support to build autonomous work boats, and is now attracting investment and starting to generate a profit.

Recent projects

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Live open calls

National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme – 2025/26
Opportunity

National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme – 2025/26

Launching its second round of funding, the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) Scaling Innovation Programme is delivered by ncat partner Connected Places Catapult.
An artist impression of a HS2 train at a platform
Opportunity

HS2 Accelerator 8.0

High Speed 2 Limited (HS2), supported by Connected Places Catapult and in partnership with the Department for Transport, has launched its search for innovative small businesses to develop new technology business cases and funded pilot projects for the rail scheme.
West Midlands Logistics & Distribution Cluster
Opportunity

West Midlands Logistics & Distribution Cluster

The West Midlands Logistics & Distribution Cluster is a collaborative initiative led by Connected Places Catapult, aimed at fostering growth and innovation within the logistics and distribution sector in the West Midlands.

Have you got an innovative pilot, project or solution?

Case studies

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Interested in collaborating with us to de-risk new technologies and solutions, and implement innovation at scale?

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Latest news

Maritime innovators invited to float their clean tech solutions
News

Maritime innovators invited to float their clean tech solutions

Systems designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of vessels and activities around ports are sought for the Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime.
Funding available to develop airport security technologies
News

Funding available to develop airport security technologies

Innovators can apply now for a share of up to £500k to develop and test solutions that have the potential to further improve airport security.
£2.3m funding for ideas to transform transport
News

£2.3m funding for ideas to transform transport

Grants of up to £45k and business support is available to innovators with cutting-edge ideas to help make transport greener, more resilient and better connected.

We work closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) to drive innovation and deliver transformative projects across the UK transport sector. Our partnership enables us to support cutting-edge research, develop new technologies, and create solutions that address the most pressing challenges in transport today.

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Transport Research and Innovation Grants

The Department for Transport (DfT), in partnership with Connected Places Catapult, offers Transport Research and…