Get support for ideas that could help with automating operations, integrating future fuels and improving safety in ports.
Connected Places Catapult has launched 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, and is based around four themes for 2025
- autonomous operations
- storage and distribution of future fuels
- people’s safety experience
- open challenge
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
- 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 £10,000 and £20,000 of programme funding to deliver a four-month trial of their solution as part of an agreed collaboration with a programme partner.
Find out more about the Transport Accelerator Maritime 2025 competition and how to apply.
Applications will close at 9am on Monday 16 June 2025.
First published 12 May 2025
