A pioneering initiative supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the transport industry has been praised by UKTram as the project celebrates a successful first year.
A collaboration between Coventry University, Connected Places Catapult, the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation, and a host of other organisations from across the public and private sectors, the Clean Futures programme plans to leverage £8 million to stimulate investment of over £30 million in new products for the transition to Net Zero.
It is supporting SMEs in existing supply chains, and those looking to move into new market sectors, by providing them with technological and development assistance for their products, as well as business support to ensure market readiness and investment opportunities.
Funding of up to £50,000 is also available through the wider West Midlands Innovation Accelerator initiative, and James Hammett, UKTram Managing Director, is a member of the project’s review board.
Following a recent ‘Demonstration Day’ event to showcase a range of SME innovations from the first cohort of participants in the Clean Futures Accelerator programme, James praised the innovation on show.
“This landmark event highlighted a wealth of ideas to help the transport sector rise to the climate challenge,” he said.
“Light rail is already one of the most environmentally friendly forms of public transport, and the Clean Futures programme now looks set to deliver on its ambition to provide a real boost to SMEs with the potential to make it even greener.”
Held at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley, the Demonstration Day marked the end of the first year of the Clean Futures Accelerator on Tuesday, April 30, and you can read more about it here.
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