17.08.20
HS2 launches second wave of Innovation Accelerator recruitment
Today (17 Aug) HS2 Ltd has launched the second wave of recruitment to its Innovation Accelerator programme, after a huge response to its first call out to tech start-ups and pioneering SMEs earlier this year.
The company is looking to recruit five further small firms with new ideas on how people can best spend time at stations before their train goes and how to enhance digital solutions for building HS2 successfully.
The successful five entrants will join the first cohort, chosen 109 applications from the first recruitment programme, who will work on the challenges of efficiency, environment the circular economy.
Ideas range from 3D concrete printing and using automated drone technology to assist with the planting of seven million trees along the HS2 route.
Applications will be open for a month via an online portal, which you can access here, after which time HS2 Ltd will choose five of the companies entered to move forward on the Innovation Accelerator.
The Accelerator will give commercial and technical support and rent-free Birmingham-based working space to develop their proposal.
Following a six-month period, solutions will be showcased and pitched to industry investors and HS2's supply chain, which is made up of the thousands of suppliers.
HS2 Ltd Head of Innovation, Howard Mitchell said: “We received over 100 applications from innovative tech start-ups and SMEs to join Cohort One of HS2’s Innovation Accelerator programme, which beat all our expectations.
“The level of interest underlines the opportunity that HS2 offers to some of the most innovative and dynamic young firms in the country.
“I’m therefore extremely positive about the prospects for Cohort Two, and new thinking on how we build Britain’s new high-speed rail network, and enable passengers to make best use of their time in our stations."
Image: HS2 Ltd