Applications for the second round of a programme designed to accelerate SME innovators who are developing low carbon energy solutions has been launched.
Developed by the University of Birmingham in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult, the Climate Innovation Platform (CIP) Low Carbon Energy Solutions Innovator Challenge offers successful applicants tailored packages of support to drive the commercialisation of innovative energy products and services.
Supported by HSBC UK and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), applications are open to businesses registered in the UK.
In particular, applications are particularly welcomed from those who can take advantage of the Climate Innovation Incubator based at Tyseley Energy Park in Birmingham, which is home to the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre.
Those selected for this second round will have access to a range of linked opportunities, including business engagement support through the Birmingham Energy Institute ATETA programme and ESC’s Energy Launchpad Incubation Programme.
Successful applicants will also have access to commercialisation support activities such as financial planning, start-up mentoring, access to supply chain partner networks, market research, IP strategy, collaboration events, advice on regulation and standards, grant writing and bid development, and investor readiness and introductions.
Additionally, incubator project management and incubation space at the Tyseley Energy Park will be available.
The first round of the challenge has seen 13 businesses be successful and receive support.
Paul Jordan, energy launchpad business lead at Energy Systems Catapult, said: “One of the biggest challenges to achieving the UK’s climate change goals is creating integrated energy systems, delivering low carbon places and supply chains in which people can live and work.
“This year’s programme will build upon the inaugural year’s progress to help realise net zero decarbonisation objectives across a range of transiting markets.”
Other innovator programmes have also been run by the Energy Systems Catapult. In 2020, the third round of its innovator challenge saw six energy technology companies selected for a business growth programme.
Companies successful in that challenge included Digital Engineering, which had developed technology to monitor the impact of weather on overhead lines, Equiwatt which incentivises consumers to save energy at peak times through an app-based rewards scheme and software company OrxaGrid, which had developed a platform that can process grid data to produce insights into how to reduce energy losses.
