The UK’s deep tech data, modelling and simulation capabilities to be strengthened by new partnership  

Digital Catapult and the Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS) have announced a strategic partnership to convene capabilities to support high-growth sectors across the UK and advance deep tech innovation. Under the agreement, CFMS will share resources, capabilities and expertise with Digital Catapult to accelerate the practical application of deep tech innovation in industry, boosting the support available to leading businesses, academic researchers and startup founders.

By combining capabilities and sharing infrastructure, the collaboration will unlock opportunities to grow UK industry and enable deep tech companies to scale, accelerating innovation by converging modelling and simulation technologies with other areas of deep tech innovation such as digital twins. Capitalising on Digital Catapult’s focus on the practical application of deep tech and CFMS who are trusted by industry to deliver digital modelling, simulation and industrially secure and AI-enabled high-performance computing (HPC), the partnership will equip key sectors of the UK economy to be future ready, closing the UK’s compute and connectivity gap that currently inhibits growth.

As it stands, businesses across multiple sectors face difficulty solving complex technical challenges, underscoring the growing importance of modelling and simulation technologies in enabling faster innovation, informed decision-making, and the efficient design of new solutions. Through this partnership, Digital Catapult and CFMS will strengthen industry’s ability to harness these capabilities, helping businesses to optimise processes, reduce development costs, and accelerate the journey from concept to commercialisation. This includes enhancing the work of the UK Digital Twin Centre in Belfast, which will draw on these combined strengths.

Dr Katrina Thompson, Director of the UK Digital Twin Centre, said: “Modelling and simulation are critical to unlocking the full potential of digital twins, providing the robust data foundations and computational capability needed to understand complex systems and make better, faster decisions. Through this partnership, the UK Digital Twin Centre will offer businesses unprecedented access to advanced modelling tools and high–performance computing, enabling them to experiment, optimise and innovate with confidence. These capabilities will not only be embedded at the heart of the Centre but also made available more broadly through Digital Catapult’s Innovation Services portfolio, ensuring that organisations across the UK can practically apply this deep tech innovation in industry.”

Sam Paice, CEO of the Centre for Modelling and Simulation, said: “The partnership will offer significant benefits, including access to powerful simulation tools and computing infrastructure, enabling industries to improve product designs, test new solutions, and streamline operations. By making these advanced capabilities more accessible, the partnership is expected to increase productivity in industry and support startups to established enterprises, in embracing the latest technological innovations. This strategic alliance represents a key step towards driving the UK’s leadership in digital manufacturing, AI, and other emerging technologies, while positioning the collaboration to generate long-term impact for industries and the wider economy.”