1.Programme Description
1.1. The Programme
Delivered by Digital Catapult, funded by UKRI through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, as part of the national Made Smarter movement, Made Smarter Technology Accelerator is a national programme, set to fast forward and shape the UK’s technology adoption directly into industry.
The programme works with both leading UK manufacturers and the UK’s leading digital technology innovation community to develop cutting-edge technology solutions to many of the UK’s core manufacturing challenges.
Made Smarter Technology Accelerator has been designed for industry; it will speed up the adoption and unlock the known benefits technology adoption has for the UK economy. It is a match-funded programme for medium and large manufacturers who will be part of a select group at the forefront of digital adoption. This group will be helping to define the scope of challenges and be directly involved in the programme, the outputs of which will generate a direct impact to achieving a competitive edge for business.
1.2. The Digital Catapult
Digital Catapult is the UK’s leading advanced digital technology innovation Centre, driving early adoption of technologies to make UK businesses more competitive and productive and grow the country’s economy. Providing physical and digital facilities for experimentation and testing that would otherwise not be accessible. It specialises in future networks (internet of things and 5G), future focus (cyber security), artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technologies, and immersive (virtual reality, augmented reality and haptics) technologies. As well as breaking down barriers to technology adoption Digital Catapult’s work addresses key challenges for the creative and manufacturing industries.
1.3. UKRI
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the largest public funder of research and innovation in the UK, with a budget of over £8bn. It is composed of seven disciplinary research councils, Innovate UK and Research England. It operates across the whole country and work with our many partners in higher education, research organisations businesses, government and charities.
The UKRI vision is for an outstanding research and innovation system in the UK that gives everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, enriching lives locally, nationally and internationally. Its mission is to convene, catalyse and invest in close collaboration with others to build a thriving, inclusive research and innovation system that connects discovery to prosperity and public good.
UKRI continues to support the research and innovation community to navigate the transitions associated with the exit of the UK from the EU.
The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund aims to bring together the UK’s world leading research with business to meet the major industrial and societal challenges of our time. The fund was created to provide funding and support to UK businesses and researchers, part of the government’s £4.7 billion increase in research and development over the next 4 years. It was designed to ensure that research and innovation takes centre stage in the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy. It is run by UK Research and Innovation.
1.4. The Programme Partners
1.4.1 Programme industry partners
Programme industry partners will include:
- Industry Challenges Owners – manufacturing companies that are sponsoring the programme and responsible to put forward challenges for the innovation community.
- Technology providers who are sponsoring the programme.
- Attendees members
- SME members
1.4.2 Programme judges
The judges will be responsible for scoring the Made Smarter applications according to the criteria set out in these Programme Competition Terms. The panel of judges will consist of a variety of individuals from Digital Catapult, UKRI representatives and industry partners. The judges will be chosen based on their business experience and technological expertise. The Applicant’s personal information fields will not be disclosed to the judges. Judges will be bound by confidentiality in regards to the assessment of Applicants’ applications.
1.4.3 Community Partners
The organisations that will be supporting Made Smarter Technology Accelerator through promotion and communication of the Programme via their networks.
1.4.4 Investment partners
Programme investment partners will include venture capital funds as well as angel funds that actively support the programme though delivery of investment workshops and/or office hours.
1.4.5 Programme consultants
Programme consultants will include among others business analysts, pitching experts and sustainability consultants who will work together with the Participants.
1.5. Applicants & Participants
1.5.1. You are considered an “Applicant” if you apply to this competition.
1.5.2. You are considered a “Participant” if you are successful with your application and complete all pre-Programme activities