Challenge brief setting and innovator registrations of interest

During this phase we're onboarding our industrial challenge owners who will be completing exploratory workshops to finalise the challenge statements to position the programme challenges ready for market. For tech innovators, we're taking registrations of interest from companies interested in hearing more about the programme.

Applications close 1 April 2024 at 23:59

Applications are open to the UK’s leading technology innovators from across the advanced digital technologies startup and scale-up ecosystem. As a tech company, you’ll apply to join a cohort of eight of the best innovators and will work to develop solutions for some of the UK’s core industrial challenges.

Successful applicants at stage two will be invited to an interview to discuss their proposal with the Programme Judges to ask further questions. The interviews will take place between Monday 22 April until Friday 26 April 2024. If applicants are not able to attend the interview in person, there will be an option to attend virtually.

After a careful selection process, the successful technology companies will join the programme and announce the leading solutions that were chosen to be developed for the Industry Challenge Owners.

Each company is funded with £75,000 to produce solutions that address the manufacturers’ challenges. During that phase, the cohort members also gain access to Digital Catapult’s product development expertise, technologists who will offer guidance, and business and design support.

During this milestone, the tech companies will have the opportunity to pitch and demonstrate their developed prototype progress to allow the industry challenge owners to select one company to form a stronger partnership to address their challenge.

Up to four companies from the original teams will receive further funding to further develop their prototypes within pilot environment. During this phase, the cohort gains access to investment mentorship, workshops and support from key manufacturing and industry leaders to become investment-ready.

The showcase event will be an opportunity to celebrate the outputs and impact of the programme, as well as to present the cohort's learnings and achievements throughout the programme.