Digital Catapult
Digital Catapult is a UK government-backed deep tech innovation organisation, part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, operating four regional centres and 20+ advanced technology facilities to accelerate deep tech adoption across startups, corporates, government, and academia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Digital Catapult does
Digital Catapult is a UK government-backed deep tech innovation organisation operating as part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, with headquarters in London and four regional centres across England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Founded in 2013, the organisation operates more than 20 advanced technology facilities — including SONIC Labs (the UK's first O-RAN Alliance-accredited Open Testing and Integration Centre), the UK Digital Twin Centre in Belfast, 5G Testbeds, Immersive Labs, Future Networks Lab, Advanced Media Production Studios, and Dimension Studio — providing testbed infrastructure that startups, scaleups, and corporates cannot access independently. Its programme portfolio spans accelerator cohorts (Black Founders Programme, Defence Testbed Accelerator, BridgeAI), technology access programmes (Quantum Technology Access Programme, SONIC Labs Technology Access Programme), sector initiatives (GridFlex for energy, Digital Supply Chain Hub for manufacturing, Hydrogen Innovation Initiative), and direct startup investments (£400k in Immersely, £510k in Productive Machines, £500k in Exabler).
The organisation serves four primary customer segments: startups and scaleups (investment readiness and accelerator support), large corporates (deep tech adoption consulting and supply chain resilience), UK government and public sector (DSIT, MoD, Innovate UK, Ofcom programme delivery), and academia (collaborative R&D with universities including Bristol, Cranfield, UCL, and York). Its business model is predominantly grant-funded through Innovate UK, UKRI Strength in Places Fund, Belfast Region City Deal, and departmental allocations from DSIT and DCMS, with a supplementary commercial layer introduced via a flagship paid membership programme launched November 2025 and modular Innovation Services priced at £15,000+VAT per module. Since 2018 it has supported approximately 3,000 companies and its portfolio startups have raised over £572m in investment. Leadership comprises Interim CEO David Bletso, Chair Benjamin Story, and a board of Non-Executive Directors spanning venture capital, AWS energy transition, BBC media, UCL HCI, and Siemens industrial transformation.
Digital Catapult firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Digital Catapult
- Legal name
- Digital Catapult
- Website
- https://digicatapult.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Digital Catapult is a UK government-backed deep tech innovation organisation, part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, operating four regional centres and 20+ advanced technology facilities to accelerate deep tech adoption across startups, corporates, government, and academia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Digital Catapult industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Deep Tech Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Computer Training (611420)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Emerging Tech (IoT, Blockchain, AR/VR, Edge) Consulting (BPAHAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Enterprise Architecture & Technology Roadmapping (BPAEAAAC), Emerging Tech & Specialized Computing (IoT, Edge, AR/VR, Blockchain, HPC) (EDABAFAO), Digital Learning Content Development (eLearning, Labs, Simulations) (BPAEANAD)
Keywords
Where Digital Catapult is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Digital Catapult business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding and Grants: Digital Catapult receives significant funding as part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, with various programmes funded by UKRI, Belfast Region City Deal, and other government initiatives.
- Innovation Services: Modular service suite providing frameworks, tools, and expertise to high-growth UK companies. Each module costs £15,000 + VAT for commercialisation, AI support, solution design, and Advanced Media Production services.
- Programme Delivery: Delivery of accelerator programmes, technology access programmes, and innovation challenges for government and industry partners.
- Membership Programme: Flagship membership programme launched November 2025 offering networking, innovation support, and facilities access to startups, corporates, and community members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Innovation Services Modules - Commercialisation Services |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Innovation Services Modules - AI Support Services |
| Subscription | Annual | Membership Programme |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Digital Catapult product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Digital Catapult accelerates the practical application of advanced digital technologies (deep tech) for UK businesses. It operates advanced technology testbed facilities (5G, Open RAN, quantum, immersive, digital twins), runs accelerator and technology access programmes for startups and corporates, and delivers modular Innovation Services using a TRL-CRL framework. Its customers are UK startups, scaleups, corporates, government departments, and academic institutions.
Product overview
Digital Catapult is a deep tech innovation organization offering a platform-plus-programmes architecture. The core offerings include testbed facilities (5G Testbeds, Immersive Labs, Future Networks Lab, Advanced Media Production Studios, Dimension Studio, Open Networks Lab, 5G Immersive Lab), accelerator programmes (UK Digital Twin Centre, SONIC Labs, Black Founders Programme, Quantum Technology Access Programme, BridgeAI, Defence Testbed Accelerator, Tenfold NetZero, Smart Nano NI, MyWorld), and Innovation Services using a TRL-CRL framework. These work together as an integrated ecosystem where startups and industry partners access facilities for testing, participate in targeted accelerator programmes, and receive commercial readiness support through Innovation Services. The Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub and GridFlex Programme extend this to specific sector challenges in manufacturing and energy respectively.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SONIC Labs: SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre - a world-leading innovation programme and R&D facility for testing Open RAN technologies, co-delivered with Ofcom and funded by DSIT.
- UK Digital Twin Centre
- Black Founders Programme
- Smart Nano NI
Products and services
- Innovation Services Modular service suite providing frameworks, tools and expertise for high-growth UK companies to move from idea to market leader, using the TRL-CRL framework. Modules cover commercialisation, AI support, solution design, and Advanced Media Production services. Each module is priced at £15,000+VAT. Target customers are high-growth startups and SMEs seeking commercialisation support.
- Digital Catapult Membership Programme Flagship annual membership programme offering networking, innovation support, and facilities access to startups, corporates, and community members to accelerate deep tech adoption in UK industries. Launched November 2025.
- UK Digital Twin Centre Centre delivered by Digital Catapult and funded by Belfast Region City Deal and Innovate UK, making digital twins more accessible and meaningful across UK industries. Targets aerospace, maritime, defence, logistics, and manufacturing sectors.
- SONIC Labs (SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre) World-leading Open RAN innovation programme and R&D facility in central London, providing Test-as-a-Service for O-RAN interoperability and integration testing, funded by DSIT and co-delivered with Ofcom. UK government's first OTIC-accredited Open Testing and Integration Centre.
- Black Founders Programme Accelerator targeted at early stage and pre-seed Black-founded companies creating innovative products and services for the UK's creative economy. Delivered in partnership with Sony Music UK, Sony Music Publishing, and Channel 4.
- Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) Programme supporting UK industry in adopting quantum computing technology through training, experimentation, and support for organisations across energy, healthcare, and finance sectors. Phase 2 launched March 2026 covering up to twelve organisations.
- BridgeAI Innovate UK programme driving adoption of responsible AI in economic and social sectors. Includes sub-programmes AI for Decarbonisation (ADViCE), High Growth AI Accelerator, and Sustainable Manufacturing Programme.
- Defence Testbed Accelerator Accelerator programme in partnership with UK Ministry of Defence and High Value Manufacturing Catapult to strengthen resilience, security and agility of UK's defence supply chain through secure data sharing and additive manufacturing.
- Tenfold NetZero Accelerator Innovation programme partnered with DAERA providing local businesses with support for net zero innovation challenges in agri-food sector, including on-farm animal feed tracking.
- Smart Nano NI Northern Ireland consortium developing advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing technologies with focus on nano manufacturing and photonics, led by Seagate. Total project value £63.9m funded by £42.4m from UKRI's Strength in Places Fund.
- Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub Digital innovation ecosystem creating a virtual hub, data observatory, and network of industrial living labs to optimise information flows across UK manufacturing supply chains.
- Hydrogen Innovation Programme Programme focused on deployment of hydrogen technologies to address pressing energy and environmental challenges, supporting the development of green hydrogen certification solutions.
- GridFlex Programme Partnership programme with Energy Systems Catapult, funded by Innovate UK, to accelerate practical application of deep tech for energy flexibility through consumer-led flexibility solutions.
- MyWorld UKRI Strength in Places funded flagship programme for UK's creative technology sector, led by University of Bristol. Positions West of England as a trailblazer in screen-based media.
- Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator Accelerator programme supporting nine pioneering digital twin projects from SMEs across the UK in aerospace, maritime, defence, logistics and manufacturing sectors, backed by the £37.6m UK Digital Twin Centre initiative.
- Open Networks Lab Collaborative testing environment for interoperability and integration of open, disaggregated, and software-centric network solutions and multi-vendor architectures. OTIC-accredited for O-RAN testing and certification.
- 5G Immersive Lab State-of-the-art 5G Immersive Lab launched in partnership with North East Combined Authority, providing testing facilities for immersive applications and advanced connectivity solutions in Newcastle city centre.
- 5G Testbeds Fully functional cellular technology facilities that help bring solutions out of R&D for testing as early real-world deployments, providing open access and expert technical support to innovators and companies.
- Immersive Labs Facilities built to encourage and support the UK's growing immersive community in developing commercially viable immersive content and applications, including VR, AR and haptics technologies.
- Future Networks Lab Laboratory created to support adoption of IoT and 5G technologies, bringing together network, services, platform and solutions providers in a technology-agnostic space.
- Advanced Media Production Studios UK's first network of advanced media production studios built to enable research and innovation in content production, including virtual production capabilities.
- Dimension Studio State-of-the-art volumetric video and 3D capture studio for the next generation of immersive content creation.
Quantifiable outcome
- £572m investment raised by 272 startups since 2018
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Digital Catapult
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Digital Catapult technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability15 records
Feature8 records
Digital Catapult partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Innovate UKcoreDigital Catapult is part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, receiving significant government funding and supporting businesses in transforming ideas into valuable products and services.
- Ministry of DefencecoreDefence Testbed Accelerator programme in partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult to strengthen resilience, security and agility of UK's defence supply chain.
- High Value Manufacturing CatapultcoreCollaborating on Digital Supply Chain Hub and Defence Testbed Accelerator, providing ultra-secure digital testbed capabilities for supply chain innovation.
- National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)coreCollaboration on Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) supporting UK industry in adopting quantum computing technology through training, experimentation, and support.
- ØrstedcorePartnership on Digital Innovation Challenge supporting UK-based innovators AIM Group and Entopy in developing AI solutions for offshore wind farm operations across Ørsted's 12 UK wind farms.
- Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) CatapultcorePartnership on Digital Innovation Challenge for AI-driven solutions for offshore wind operations and maintenance.
- Sony Music UKcorePartnership delivering Black Founders Programme supporting early-stage Black-founded companies in the UK's creative economy with investment readiness support.
- Sony Music PublishingcorePartnership delivering Black Founders Programme supporting early-stage Black-founded companies in creative tech.
- Channel 4core2025 collaboration on Black Founders Programme to support Black entrepreneurs in the creative tech industry.
- Energy Systems CatapultcorePartnership through GridFlex Programme, funded by Innovate UK, to accelerate practical application of deep tech in energy flexibility.
- University of BristolcoreLeading MyWorld, a UKRI Strength in Places funded flagship programme for UK's creative technology sector, positioning West of England as trailblazer.
- The Alan Turing InstitutecoreAcademic R&D accelerator partnership through UK Digital Twin Centre to accelerate digital twin innovation with leading universities.
- Cranfield UniversitycoreAcademic R&D accelerator partnership through UK Digital Twin Centre for digital twin innovation research.
- OfcomcoreCo-delivering SONIC Labs programme with Ofcom, providing independent evidence base on Open RAN technologies.
- VodafonecoreJoined Quantum Technology Access Programme exploring quantum computing to optimise telecoms network operations.
- BAE SystemscoreJoined Quantum Technology Access Programme exploring quantum solutions for defence and security applications.
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL)coreCollaborating on Digital Supply Chain Hub creating collaborative and ultra-secure digital testbed for supply chain innovation.
- TWI LtdcoreCollaborating on Digital Supply Chain Hub providing expertise in manufacturing and joining technologies.
- Seagate TechnologycoreLeading Smart Nano NI consortium developing advanced prototyping and smart manufacturing technologies in Northern Ireland.
- Henry Royce InstituteminorSupported AI and advanced materials workstream as part of 'The UK at the AI Frontier: Challenges and Opportunities' report.
- BBCminorPartnership with BBC on AI prototypes for content production and creative industry innovation.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Digital Catapult competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- High Value Manufacturing Catapult: Sister Catapult Network member focused on UK advanced manufacturing. Both organizations share the Innovate UK Catapult funding model, regional centre structure, and mission of accelerating technology adoption in UK industry; they collaborate directly on the Digital Supply Chain Hub and Defence Testbed Accelerator.
- Connected Places Catapult: Another Innovate UK Catapult Network member focused on transport, urban services, and place-based innovation. Shares the same non-profit Catapult operating model, Innovate UK funding relationship, and objective of accelerating deep tech adoption across UK industry.
- Energy Systems Catapult: Sister Catapult Network member focused on energy innovation; Digital Catapult's direct partner on the GridFlex Programme. Operates under the same Innovate UK Catapult Network structure with shared governance and funding mechanisms, but serves a different deep tech vertical.
- Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult: Sister Catapult Network member in offshore renewables; partners with Digital Catapult on the Digital Innovation Challenge for AI-driven offshore wind solutions. Operates under the same Innovate UK Catapult Network structure.
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult: Sister Catapult Network member focused on cell and gene therapy; operates under the same Innovate UK Catapult Network structure, funding model, and mission of accelerating UK industry adoption of emerging technologies.
- UK Quantum Technology Catapult (NQCC): National Quantum Computing Centre operating as part of the UK's national quantum technology programme. Direct partner on the Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) and shares the mission of accelerating UK quantum adoption.
Broad incumbents
- Fraunhofer Institute: Germany's largest application-oriented research organization, government-funded and operating multiple institutes across emerging technology domains. Comparable as a European government-backed deep tech innovation intermediary, but operates at significantly larger scale and broader scope than Digital Catapult.
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch government-funded applied research organization that bridges research and commercial application of advanced technologies. Comparable mission and operating model to Digital Catapult, though significantly larger and operating in a different national context.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish government-owned applied research organization working across emerging technologies. Comparable as a European state-backed deep tech innovation intermediary serving industry and government clients.
Others
- Innovate UK: Primary funder and parent organization within UKRI that established and funds the Catapult Network including Digital Catapult. Provides significant grants and is a core strategic partner across Digital Catapult's programmes.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Digital Catapult social profiles
Digital presenceDigital Catapult financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Digital Catapult leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Digital Catapult funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Digital Catapult M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments16 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Digital Catapult
What does Digital Catapult do?
Digital Catapult accelerates the practical application of advanced digital technologies (deep tech) for UK businesses. It operates advanced technology testbed facilities (5G, Open RAN, quantum, immersive, digital twins), runs accelerator and technology access programmes for startups and corporates, and delivers modular Innovation Services using a TRL-CRL framework. Its customers are UK startups, scaleups, corporates, government departments, and academic institutions.
Is Digital Catapult a public or private company?
Digital Catapult is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Digital Catapult founded?
Digital Catapult was founded in 2018. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Digital Catapult based?
Digital Catapult is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Digital Catapult make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Funding and Grants are the primary driver. The others are innovation Services, programme Delivery and membership Programme.
Who are Digital Catapult's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Connected Places Catapult, Energy Systems Catapult, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and UK Quantum Technology Catapult (NQCC). Broad incumbents are Fraunhofer Institute, TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Innovate UK is listed as an others.
Does Digital Catapult have an API?
No public API is recorded for Digital Catapult.
What industry is Digital Catapult in?
Digital Catapult's product category is Deep Tech Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAEAL, Emerging Tech (IoT, Blockchain, AR/VR, Edge) Consulting, with a secondary code of BPAEAAAC, Enterprise Architecture & Technology Roadmapping. Its NAICS code is 5415 and its SIC code is 8734.