Connected Places Catapult

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.

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

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

• Innovation accelerator
• Transport infrastructure
• Construction innovation
• SME scaling programmes
• Grant funding services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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

Core 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

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Innovate UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart 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 TransportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary 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 or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Station Innovation Zone programme. Provides operational environment for trialling rail technology innovations at Bristol Temple Meads station.
• Associated British PortsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme, hosting trials for SME technologies in port environments.
• Bristol Port CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting technology trials in operational port environments.
• Port of TynemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator and Maritime Accelerator programmes. Hosts technology trials for SME innovations in port operations.
• Portsmouth International PortmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator, Maritime Accelerator, and Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime programmes. Hosts trials for decarbonisation and operational technology solutions.
• DFDSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting freight and logistics technology trials.
• DHL GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme, providing operational environment for logistics technology trials.
• DP WorldmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting freight technology innovation.
• FedEx ExpressmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting freight and logistics innovation.
• Port of DovermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting technology trials for freight operations.
• Tilbury PortmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme hosting technology trials.
• Forth PortsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting port technology innovation.
• FreightlinermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme for rail freight technology trials.
• StobartmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting logistics innovation.
• Welch GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHaulage firm participating in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator trials for business intelligence and AI solutions.
• WincantonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry innovation partner in Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator programme supporting logistics technology trials.
• SercocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgramme partner in Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime. Challenge focus: Optimisation of sea-going fleet operations including emissions, predictive maintenance, and duty cycles.
• National Shipbuilding OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgramme partner in Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime. Challenge focus: Decarbonising shipyard manufacturing and vessel production.
• MaerskmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner in Clean Transport Accelerator: Maritime providing insights and guidance from maritime industry specialists.
• University of PlymouthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Transport Accelerator: Maritime consortium supporting SME innovation in maritime sector.
• Royal Navy Maritime EnterprisemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgramme partner in Transport Accelerator: Maritime supporting innovation in maritime autonomous systems and operations.
• Belfast City CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal 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 ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Ireland government body partnering with Belfast City Council on SBRI programme supported by Connected Places Catapult for rates maximisation solution.
• Williams ShippingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Freight Innovation Fund accelerator trial with RAD Propulsion for electric propulsion systems testing in busy waterway with Associated British Ports at Southampton.
• VoltempocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in eFreight Autonomous consortium with Connected Places Catapult and Berkeley Coachworks, conducting nine-month study on autonomous HGV deployment in the UK.
• Berkeley CoachworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in eFreight Autonomous project led by Voltempo with Connected Places Catapult, studying autonomous heavy goods vehicle deployment.
• ZenziccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivery 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

Others

• 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

• Xx.com/CPCatapult
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ConnectedPlacesCatapult
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connected-places-catapult

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments24 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Connected Places Catapult