HS2 Ltd have today (February 1, 2022) launched the application process for their fourth cohort of the Innovation Accelerator programme, seeking SME involvement on three key digital aspects of the project's delivery.
Working alongside the Connected Places Catapult, HS2 Ltd is looking for five innovative SMEs to develop digital solutions to address:
- Supply chain management
- Risk management and decision making
- Information exchange and insights
Successful firms will spend four months working inside HS2's Accelerator, before presenting their innovations to the project's tier one suppliers, as well as investors and the wider industry.
From here, the businesses can generate the support and interest to take the innovations forward for further development and potential deployment into HS2 and the wider rail sector.
Applications are now open through the dedicated portal, closing on February 28, 2022.
HS2 Innovation Manager, Jonathan Kelly, said: “Fourteen SMEs who graduated from HS2’s first three Accelerator programmes have since attracted over £50m in commercial trials, investments and grants following their four-month stint honing their products.
“HS2 is massive whichever way you look at it, be it duration, geography or workforce.
"We’re looking to build on this success with the Accelerator’s fourth cohort providing innovative solutions to the challenges of information sharing across this vast project.”
