Connected Places Catapult
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Connected Places Catapult firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Connected Places Catapult
- Legal name
- Connected Places Catapult
- Website
- https://cp.catapult.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Connected Places Catapult industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Innovation Accelerator Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Transportation (488), Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889)
- SIC
- Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Project Preparation Facilities & Technical Assistance Windows (BPADAOAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Senior & Assisted-Living Demand-Responsive Transport (THAIAHAE), Volunteer Driver & Community Transportation Programs (TLAFAKAH)
Keywords
Where Connected Places Catapult is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 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, Others
Revenue model
- Public sector funding and grants: CPC is primarily funded through UK government allocations via Innovate UK and the Department for Transport. It receives multi-year funding commitments to operate innovation programmes including the Freight Innovation Fund (£10m, 2023–2026), HS2 Innovation Accelerator, Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG), Hydrogen Innovation Initiative, and others. No revenue is generated from commercial product sales or licensing. CPC does not charge SMEs or public sector participants for programme participation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Connected Places Catapult product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Connected Places Catapult is a government-backed innovation accelerator that designs and delivers funded accelerator programmes, catalyst initiatives, and grant schemes for SMEs developing technologies in transport, construction, and data infrastructure. It provides SMEs with access to real-world operational testbeds (ports, rail, airports, roads), non-dilutive funding (£100k-£150k per accelerator), mentorship, and routes to government and industry procurement pipelines. All programmes are delivered at no cost to participants, funded by UK government allocations through Innovate UK and the Department for Transport.
Product overview
Connected Places Catapult is the UK's innovation accelerator for cities, transport and place leadership. Rather than a single product company, it operates as a portfolio of accelerator programmes, catalyst initiatives, grant schemes, innovation networks, and advisory services that connect innovative businesses with government and industry to accelerate technology adoption in transport, construction, and data infrastructure. Key programmes include the Freight Innovation Fund (£10m DfT-funded accelerator for logistics SMEs), HS2 Accelerator Programme (infrastructure innovation), Drone Pathfinder Catalyst Programme (commercial drone adoption), Transport Research and Innovation Grants (TRIG), Station Innovation Zone (rail technology testbed), Scaling Innovation Programme (accessible transport), and the Freight and Logistics Innovation Network (FLIN). The organisation also publishes research reports including Transport Safety for Women and Girls and Unlocking Growth: The UK's Innovation Opportunity in Transport & Construction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- £692m in private investment raised by supported SMEs since 2019
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Connected Places Catapult
Customer profileNamed customers20 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 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
AI capability8 records
Feature3 records
Connected Places Catapult partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core/fundamental and minor.
- National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)core/fundamentalCPC is a delivery partner for ncat's Scaling Innovation programme, which received multi-million pound funding to support 16 innovators developing accessible transport solutions. CPC provides specialist technical and commercial guidance, including 'Meet the Experts' sessions. Jamie Chan-Pensley (CPC Head of Strategic Portfolio: Transport) serves on the ncat Board.
- HS2 Ltdcore/fundamentalHS2 Ltd and Connected Places Catapult co-deliver the HS2 Innovation Accelerator, a multi-phase programme supporting small tech firms to develop solutions for HS2's construction challenges. HS2's Senior Innovation Manager Jon Kelly serves as programme lead alongside CPC. Since 2020, the programme has realised £30M+ in cost savings for HS2.
- Network Railcore/fundamentalNetwork Rail partners with CPC on the Station Innovation Zone at Bristol Temple Meads, providing live rail environments for SME technology trials. Network Rail's Senior Programme Manager Brian Wortman co-chairs the programme. Network Rail has also been involved in the evolvAD autonomous driving project and the geofencing safety initiative.
- Great British Railways (GBRx)core/fundamentalGBRx is the new railway innovation hub established under Great British Railways reform. CPC works with GBRx to introduce AI, imaging, and predictive maintenance technologies into the rail sector. Laura Shoaf CBE, Chair of Shadow GBR, has spoken at CPC's Connected Places Summit about the role of innovation in railway reform.
- UK Civil Aviation AuthorityminorThe UK CAA supported the HyGPU Winter Operations Project at Exeter Airport, testing hydrogen-powered ground support equipment. CPC participated in the project alongside Cranfield University and ULEMCo, contributing to understanding of hydrogen safety in airport environments.
- Cranfield UniversityminorCranfield University provided technical expertise and published the technical report for the Exeter Airport hydrogen ground support equipment trial. CPC participated in the follow-on winter operations project alongside Cranfield researchers.
- Freight Innovation Fund Industry Partnerscore/fundamentalOver 15 major freight and logistics operators serve as industry innovation partners for the Freight Innovation Fund, providing live operational environments for SME technology trials. Partners include Associated British Ports, Bristol Port Company, DHL, DP World, FedEx, Port of Dover, Port of Tilbury, Port of Tyne, Portsmouth International Port, Freightliner, Stobart, Wincanton, and others. These partnerships have enabled 44 real-world trials.
- AmeyminorAmey, a major UK contractor, partnered with Composite Braiding Ltd and CPC's Clean Futures programme to develop and test the braided thermoplastic Twin Track Cantilever composite structure for the TransPennine Route Upgrade rail electrification project.
- DeloitteminorDeloitte collaborated with CPC on a Government Future Frontiers podcast episode recorded at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, exploring digital twins in public service delivery and urban infrastructure planning.
- Berkeley CoachworksminorBerkeley Coachworks is a member of the eFreIGHT Autonomous consortium alongside CPC, working on autonomous HGV deployment studies. The consortium identified hub-to-hub motorway trunking as the most commercially viable route for early deployment.
- High Value Manufacturing CatapultminorHigh Value Manufacturing Catapult leads the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII) Demonstration Programme, with support from Innovate UK and Connected Places Catapult. Five hydrogen technology demonstrations were approved under this programme, including direct seawater electrolysis and hydrogen railway shunters.
- NissanminorNissan led the evolvAD autonomous driving project, a £14m UK government-funded consortium including CPC participation, developing autonomous driving technology for residential, urban, and rural environments using 100% electric Nissan LEAFs.
- VoltempominorVoltempo led the eFREIGHT Autonomous consortium studying autonomous HGV deployment in the UK, with CPC and Berkeley Coachworks as consortium members. The study identified hub-to-hub motorway trunking as the most commercially viable early deployment route.
Scale indicators21 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Connected Places Catapult competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): Australia's national science agency, government-funded, providing applied research, SME innovation programmes, and testbed infrastructure. Comparable to CPC's role in the UK ecosystem but at significantly larger scale and with deeper R&D capacity.
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch government-backed applied research organisation providing innovation services, testbeds, and SME acceleration across transport, built environment, and digital infrastructure. Closely comparable to CPC's model in a different national context.
- Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest application-oriented research organisation, partially government-funded, providing applied R&D, testbed infrastructure, and SME support. Highly comparable operating model to CPC at larger scale; differs by being Germany-based and more R&D-heavy than acceleration-focused.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish government-owned applied research organisation providing SME innovation support, testbeds, and accelerator-style programmes. Comparable to CPC by institutional model and funding structure; differs by greater R&D depth and Nordic focus.
Direct peers
- Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult: Sister Catapult focused on offshore wind, marine renewables, and hydrogen. Operates the same model as CPC — government-funded, non-commercial, providing testbed access and SME acceleration. Direct peer by institutional structure.
- Digital Catapult: Another Innovate UK Catapult Network member that provides innovation acceleration, testbeds, and technical assistance to UK SMEs — same model as CPC but focused on digital and emerging technologies rather than transport/construction. Direct peer because both operate as government-backed, non-commercial innovation intermediaries under the same Catapult brand.
- High Value Manufacturing Catapult: One of the seven Catapult centres, co-leads the Hydrogen Innovation Initiative with CPC. Direct peer operating the same Catapult model — government-funded, non-commercial, providing testbeds and SME support in advanced manufacturing.
- Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult: Sister Catapult in life sciences, providing accelerator programmes and technical assistance to UK cell and gene therapy SMEs. Direct peer by Catapult Network institutional model and government-funded, non-commercial operating model.
- Satellite Applications Catapult: Another Catapult Network member providing innovation acceleration, SME support, and testbed infrastructure (primarily space and satellite-enabled applications). Direct peer by institutional model and Innovate UK funding structure.
Others
- Innovate UK: CPC's parent organisation within UKRI. Comparable as the entity that funds and commissions CPC, and itself runs grant programmes (TRIG, etc.) directly. Connected rather than competitive — Innovate UK is both parent and a co-delivery partner on multiple CPC programmes.
Market position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Connected Places Catapult social profiles
Digital presenceConnected Places Catapult compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Connected Places Catapult financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Connected Places Catapult leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Connected Places Catapult funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Connected Places Catapult M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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 is a government-backed innovation accelerator that designs and delivers funded accelerator programmes, catalyst initiatives, and grant schemes for SMEs developing technologies in transport, construction, and data infrastructure. It provides SMEs with access to real-world operational testbeds (ports, rail, airports, roads), non-dilutive funding (£100k-£150k per accelerator), mentorship, and routes to government and industry procurement pipelines. All programmes are delivered at no cost to participants, funded by UK government allocations through Innovate UK and the Department for Transport.
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 2019. It employs 251 to 500 people.
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?
One revenue line is on record: public sector funding and grants.
Who are Connected Places Catapult's main competitors?
Regional players on record are CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research), Fraunhofer Society and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Direct peers are Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Digital Catapult, High Value Manufacturing Catapult, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult and Satellite Applications Catapult. Innovate UK is listed as an others.
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 Innovation Accelerator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAOAI, Project Preparation Facilities & Technical Assistance Windows, with a secondary code of THAIAHAE, Senior & Assisted-Living Demand-Responsive Transport. Its NAICS code is 488 and its SIC code is 8744.