Investment Readiness Programme
Open date: Wednesday 5 June 2024 Close date: Sunday 21 July 2024
Accelerate your investment readiness
The Investment Readiness Programme, part of the Made Smarter Innovation Sustainability Accelerator, is designed for companies developing cleantech solutions for the UK manufacturing sector, aiming to increase their investment readiness and accelerate business growth.
This programme comes amid the growing demand for sustainable manufacturing and the UK’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The manufacturing sector accounts for over 40% of the country’s consumption-based carbon emissions*. This highlights the need for innovative solutions to drive sustainable growth.
The programme aims to accelerate investment readiness by offering tailored support to help participants navigate the investment landscape, secure research and funding opportunities, and boost their market presence.
This initiative not only supports individual businesses but also contributes to the broader goal of achieving net zero emissions and driving sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector.
The programme is open to companies that previously benefited from Made Smarter funding and companies that are new to the Made Smarter movement.
Successful applicants will be able to access £5,000 cash funding as a financial contribution towards completing the programme.
Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 21 July 2024.
Why should you get involved?
Each successful applicant will receive £5,000 cash funding
Strategic guidance from the Digital Catapult team
Diagnostic sessions to determine current commercial and strategic needs
Tailored support to develop and improve product, technical and investment roadmap, business planning and marketing strategy
Opportunity to pitch at the showcase event to industry representatives and potential investors
Who can apply
The Investment Readiness Programme supports registered and active UK based companies. The programme welcomes applications from:
- Companies that are looking to raise investment in the next 6 -12 months.
- Companies that are looking to grow their business in the next 6 – 12 months.
- Companies engaged in the development of technology solutions focused on REEE (Resource Efficiency and Energy Efficiency) with applications in the manufacturing sector.
- Companies that have previously received funding under the Made Smarter Innovation Programme.
- Companies developing solutions focused on sustainability, with an interest and business plan to enter the manufacturing sector.
See the selection criteria in the FAQs.
Key info
121 Q&A drop-in session
Companies that have questions regarding the programme, selection process and how to apply can book time slots and talk directly to the team.
How to apply
- Applicants check they meet the programme’s specific requirements.
- Applicants fill out their application form through the platform.
- Applicants will need to complete the application form by 23:59 on Sunday 21 July 2024.
Who can apply
- Applicants must be eligible to receive up to £20,000 in State Assistance.
- Applicants must have a UK business bank account for any payments to be made.
- Applicants must be a UK based registered company, or prove they are a company that has an establishment in the UK, and undertake all activity in the UK.
- Applicants must be engaged in developing solutions enabled by at least one of the technologies from the advanced digital technology stack: artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technologies, internet of things (IoT), distributed ledger technologies (DLT) and 5G/future networks.
Selection criteria
Product and Solution 30%
The applicant should demonstrate that their company is addressing a clear industry challenge as well as applying advanced digital technologies to tackle them.
Business Capability 40%
The applicant should be capable of identifying their growth potential as well as clear business and investment goals and potential challenges for the next 12 months. The company and its employees should have the necessary experience and skills to reach these goals.
Sustainability & Responsibility 30%
The company should be able to define how its product aligns with the principles of sustainability and responsible innovation.
Selection Process
Applications will be screened for eligibility, followed by a shortlisting process of judging applications by the Digital Catapult team. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to the interview for the final selection.
The scoring criteria will be assessed based on statements in the areas above. Each will be scored on a range from 0 to 5.
0 being an “Unacceptable or No submission” score for each criterion and 5 being an “Excellent” score for each criterion. Weighting will be applied across each scoring criterion.
Deliberation will take place to select 10-15 successful applicants.
Key dates
Sunday 21 July 2024 at 23:59
Call closes
Read the FAQs
If you have any questions about the application process, some may be answered in the FAQs section.
Read the FAQs