Connected Places Catapult
Connected Places Catapult is a UK government-backed innovation accelerator that delivers programmes — including accelerators, grants and the Freight and Logistics Innovation Network — to help SMEs scale solutions in transport, construction and data infrastructure, serving SMEs, large enterprises, government bodies and investors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Connected Places Catapult does
Connected Places Catapult is a UK-based innovation accelerator that operates as part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network, focused on growing innovative businesses in transport, construction, and data infrastructure. The organisation functions as "innovation as a service" — providing technical expertise, network access, and partnerships to help SMEs scale solutions, and helping larger enterprises and government bodies access external innovation. Its offering is structured as a portfolio of government-funded programmes rather than commercial products: the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator (six-month programme, £100k-£150k per SME for TRL 5-6 companies), the Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime (up to £30k for maritime decarbonisation), the Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG) delivered on behalf of the Department for Transport, the Freight and Logistics Innovation Network (FLIN), and the Station Innovation Zone testbed with Network Rail at Bristol Temple Meads. Underlying capability is programme delivery, sector network orchestration, and trial-site brokering rather than proprietary technology development.
The revenue model has two streams: (1) core government funding routed through the Innovate UK Catapult Network, and (2) programme delivery services contracts from government departments and public sector bodies (most notably the £10m Department for Transport Freight Innovation Fund, 2023-2026). Connected Places Catapult does not sell commercial products; programme participation is grant-funded rather than fee-paying. Customer engagement is multi-sided: SMEs and scaleups receive funding and market access; large enterprises and infrastructure operators (Associated British Ports, Bristol Port, Port of Tyne, Portsmouth International Port, DHL, DFDS, DP World, FedEx, Network Rail) act as trial hosts and industry partners; government bodies (Department for Transport, Innovate UK, Network Rail, local authorities including Belfast City Council) commission challenge-based procurement; and investors access de-risked deal flow. The organisation reports 1,000+ businesses engaged, 8,650+ additional jobs created, £692m in private investment raised by supported SMEs since 2019, and 149+ technologies advanced towards commercialisation.
Connected Places Catapult serves the UK transport and construction infrastructure market, where the government has committed £725bn to infrastructure investment over the next decade, the sector is projected to reach £680bn in market value by 2035, and 4.5 million people are employed. The organisation combines domain expertise across transport, construction and data infrastructure with privileged access to government procurement channels and a large industry partner network. Leadership includes CEO Erika Lewis, with senior functional coverage for Transport (Sameer Savani, Managing Director), Rail (Dr. Alan Peters, Rail Director) and Maritime (Richard Holland, Head of Maritime). Headquartered in London with an additional office in Milton Keynes, the organisation is privately held and operates as an independent entity within the Innovate UK Catapult Network framework.
Connected Places Catapult firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Connected Places Catapult
- Legal name
- Connected Places Catapult
- Website
- https://cp.catapult.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Connected Places Catapult is a UK government-backed innovation accelerator that delivers programmes — including accelerators, grants and the Freight and Logistics Innovation Network — to help SMEs scale solutions in transport, construction and data infrastructure, serving SMEs, large enterprises, government bodies and investors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Connected Places Catapult industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Technology Innovation Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Transportation (488), Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889)
- SIC
- Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Project Preparation Facilities & Technical Assistance Windows (BPADAOAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Trade-Related Infrastructure & Logistics Development (BPADAMAN)
Keywords
Where Connected Places Catapult is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Connected Places Catapult business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding and Grants: Connected Places Catapult receives funding through the Innovate UK Catapult Network. The organisation administers government-funded programmes including the Freight Innovation Fund (£10m from Department for Transport, 2023-2026), Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG), and the CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies competition.
- Programme Delivery Services: Delivery of accelerator programmes, innovation grants, and technology demonstrator programmes on behalf of government departments (Department for Transport, Innovate UK) and public sector bodies.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Connected Places Catapult product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Connected Places Catapult provides innovation as a service, acting as an impartial innovation accelerator for transport, construction, and data infrastructure. It runs accelerator programmes, grant programmes, and innovation networks that connect SMEs with government bodies, large enterprises, investors, and academia to trial, validate, and scale innovative technologies. Core programmes include the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator, Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime, Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG), the Freight and Logistics Innovation Network (FLIN), and the Station Innovation Zone testbed.
Product overview
Connected Places Catapult is the UK's innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership. Rather than a single unified product, it offers a portfolio of accelerator programmes, grant funding mechanisms, and innovation networks designed to help SMEs scale innovative technologies in the transport, maritime, construction, and data infrastructure sectors. The core offerings include the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator (supporting freight and logistics SMEs with funding and industry partnerships), the Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime (focussed on maritime decarbonisation), the Transport Research & Innovation Grants (TRIG) for early-stage transport innovation, the Freight and Logistics Innovation Network (FLIN) for sector collaboration, and the Station Innovation Zone testbed for rail technology. These programmes provide structured support, funding (typically £100,000-£150,000 for accelerators), industry connections for real-world trials, and commercialisation pathways.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Freight Innovation Fund: A multi-faceted programme funded by the Department for Transport, focused on accelerating the adoption of commercial-ready solutions to address challenges in the UK's freight and logistics sector.
- Freight and Logistics Innovation Network (FLIN)
- Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG)
Products and services
- Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator A six-month accelerator programme supporting late-stage SMEs (TRL 5-6) with £100,000-£150,000 in funding to trial freight and logistics technologies in live environments with industry innovation partners. Designed for SMEs in the UK freight and logistics sector.
- Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime A six-month programme supporting SMEs developing innovative solutions for maritime decarbonisation at TRL 5-8, offering tailored commercial support and up to £30,000 funding for four-month trials with programme partners including Serco, Port of Tyne, Portsmouth International Port, and National Shipbuilding Office.
- Transport Research & Innovation Grants (TRIG) Programme delivered by Connected Places Catapult on behalf of the Department for Transport supporting the development of new transport technologies through research and innovation grants. Designed for early-stage transport innovators and SMEs.
- Freight and Logistics Innovation Network (FLIN) A national network enabling and accelerating innovation across freight and logistics by tackling fragmentation, connecting organisations through targeted matchmaking, structured mentoring, shared insights, and practical routes to funding, pilots, and commercial partnerships. Designed for SMEs, operators, technology providers, academia, investors, and public sector bodies.
- Station Innovation Zone A testbed programme delivered in partnership with Network Rail and supported by Innovate UK where rail technology innovators collaborate with buyers and investors to shape stations of the future, testing products in operational environments at Bristol Temple Meads. Designed for rail technology SMEs and innovators.
- Scaling Innovation programme Programme supporting innovators developing solutions for accessible transport, with structured commercial support to scale solutions. Designed for SMEs in the accessible transport sector.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1000+ businesses engaged
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Connected Places Catapult
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Connected Places Catapult technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Connected Places Catapult partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Innovate UKcorePart of the Innovate UK Catapult Network. Connected Places Catapult is one of the Catapult centres funded through Innovate UK to accelerate innovation in key sectors.
- Department for TransportcorePrimary government funding partner for freight innovation programmes. Committed £10m to Freight Innovation Fund (2023-2026) and supports TRIG programme for transport research and innovation grants.
- Network RailcoreStrategic partner for Station Innovation Zone programme. Provides operational environment for trialling rail technology innovations at Bristol Temple Meads station.
- Associated British PortsmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme, hosting trials for SME technologies in port environments.
- Bristol Port CompanymajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting technology trials in operational port environments.
- Port of TynemajorIndustry partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator and Maritime Accelerator programmes. Hosts technology trials for SME innovations in port operations.
- Portsmouth International PortmajorStrategic partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator, Maritime Accelerator, and Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime programmes. Hosts trials for decarbonisation and operational technology solutions.
- DFDSmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting freight and logistics technology trials.
- DHL GroupmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme, providing operational environment for logistics technology trials.
- DP WorldmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting freight technology innovation.
- FedEx ExpressmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting freight and logistics innovation.
- Port of DovermajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting technology trials for freight operations.
- Tilbury PortmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme hosting technology trials.
- Forth PortsmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting port technology innovation.
- FreightlinermajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme for rail freight technology trials.
- StobartmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting logistics innovation.
- Welch GroupmajorHaulage firm participating in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator trials for business intelligence and AI solutions.
- WincantonmajorIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting logistics technology trials.
- SercocoreProgramme partner in Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime. Challenge focus: Optimisation of sea-going fleet operations including emissions, predictive maintenance, and duty cycles.
- National Shipbuilding OfficecoreProgramme partner in Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime. Challenge focus: Decarbonising shipyard manufacturing and vessel production.
- MaerskmajorSupporting partner in Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime providing insights and guidance from maritime industry specialists.
- University of PlymouthmajorAcademic partner in Transport Accelerator: Maritime consortium supporting SME innovation in maritime sector.
- Royal Navy Maritime EnterprisemajorProgramme partner in Transport Accelerator: Maritime supporting innovation in maritime autonomous systems and operations.
- Belfast City CouncilmajorLocal authority that worked with Connected Places Catapult to apply SBRI framework for challenge-based procurement, identifying £500,000 of previously uncollected business rates.
- Land and Property ServicesmajorNorthern Ireland government body partnering with Belfast City Council on SBRI programme supported by Connected Places Catapult for rates maximisation solution.
- Williams ShippingmajorPartner in Freight Innovation Fund accelerator trial with RAD Propulsion for electric propulsion systems testing in busy waterway with Associated British Ports at Southampton.
- VoltempocoreLead partner in eFreight Autonomous consortium with Connected Places Catapult and Berkeley Coachworks, conducting nine-month study on autonomous HGV deployment in the UK.
- Berkeley CoachworkscoreConsortium partner in eFreight Autonomous project led by Voltempo with Connected Places Catapult, studying autonomous heavy goods vehicle deployment.
- ZenziccoreDelivery partner for CAM Pathfinder Feasibility Studies competition funding the eFreight Autonomous consortium study on autonomous HGV rollout.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Connected Places Catapult competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Techstars: Global private accelerator network running cohort-based programmes for startups. Provides a useful comparison for CPC's accelerator model, though Techstars operates commercially with equity participation rather than grant-funded programmes.
- MaRS Discovery District: Canada's largest urban innovation hub supporting startups across multiple sectors. Comparable in mission of connecting innovators with enterprise and government partners, though operating a broader, less infrastructure-focused portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Fraunhofer Institute: Germany's largest application-oriented research organisation, operating as a government-backed innovation accelerator across multiple verticals. Comparable model of publicly funded research translation, though at substantially larger scale and broader scope than CPC.
- Innovate UK: CPC's parent funder and the UK's national innovation agency. Operates the broader grant and funding ecosystem within which CPC runs its programmes, making it both a stakeholder and a strategic counterpart.
Regional players
- TNO: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, a publicly funded research organisation translating technology into commercial applications. Comparable in mission and structure but focused on Dutch and European markets rather than the UK.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finland's government-owned research and innovation centre with a similar mandate to translate research into commercial outcomes. Operates a comparable SME collaboration and innovation partnership model, though serving a Nordic rather than UK customer base.
Direct peers
- Zenzic: UK organisation accelerating connected and automated mobility (CAM), delivering testbed facilities and innovation programmes. Direct overlap with CPC's transport and infrastructure innovation mission, particularly in the Station Innovation Zone and CAM Pathfinder programmes.
- Satellite Applications Catapult: Catapult Network member focused on satellite and space applications. Shares the same parent organisation, governance structure, and SME acceleration model, though specialising in a different vertical.
- Digital Catapult: Sister Catapult within the Innovate UK Catapult Network with the same innovation accelerator model but focused on digital and emerging technologies. Operates with comparable structure, funding flows, and SME acceleration programmes, making it the closest structural peer.
- High Value Manufacturing Catapult: Another Catapult Network member delivering innovation acceleration services across seven UK manufacturing research centres. Uses the same Innovate UK funding model and SME acceleration framework, providing direct comparability on structure and economics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Connected Places Catapult social profiles
Digital presenceConnected Places Catapult financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Connected Places Catapult leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Connected Places Catapult funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Connected Places Catapult M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments24 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Connected Places Catapult
What does Connected Places Catapult do?
Connected Places Catapult provides innovation as a service, acting as an impartial innovation accelerator for transport, construction, and data infrastructure. It runs accelerator programmes, grant programmes, and innovation networks that connect SMEs with government bodies, large enterprises, investors, and academia to trial, validate, and scale innovative technologies. Core programmes include the Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator, Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime, Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG), the Freight and Logistics Innovation Network (FLIN), and the Station Innovation Zone testbed.
Is Connected Places Catapult a public or private company?
Connected Places Catapult is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Connected Places Catapult founded?
Connected Places Catapult was founded in -1.
Where is Connected Places Catapult based?
Connected Places Catapult is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Connected Places Catapult make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding and Grants are the primary driver. The others are programme Delivery Services.
Who are Connected Places Catapult's main competitors?
Others on record are Techstars and MaRS Discovery District. Broad incumbents are Fraunhofer Institute and Innovate UK. Regional players are TNO and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Direct peers are Zenzic, Satellite Applications Catapult, Digital Catapult and High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
Does Connected Places Catapult have an API?
No public API is recorded for Connected Places Catapult.
What industry is Connected Places Catapult in?
Connected Places Catapult's product category is Technology Innovation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAI, Project Preparation Facilities & Technical Assistance Windows, with a secondary code of BPADAMAN, Trade-Related Infrastructure & Logistics Development. Its NAICS code is 488 and its SIC code is 4700.