Small businesses who can help Milton Keynes develop more sustainable transport choices and infrastructure could join a six-month business acceleration programme where they’ll work with global leaders in the field and be given unparalleled access to the city as a ‘living laboratory’.
The accelerator is being delivered by Connected Places Catapult in partnership with True Altitude and supported financially by Milton Keynes Council using national grant funding. The council has also invested £3.1 million in an economic recovery fund to help local people and businesses bounce back after the pandemic. A dedicated strand of the fund has been used to create green jobs and business growth.
The ‘Milton Keynes Accelerator’ is designed to help 10 small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) who are operating in the field of data analysis, 5G or artificial intelligence with a view to developing fresh ideas and technologies. If chosen, they’ll have the opportunity to work with a consortium of industry partners including Centre:MK, Amey and Socius Development, who will provide technical and investment expertise as well as access to state-of-the-art testing facilities.
Arguably the biggest and most useful testing facility will be Milton Keynes itself. The council will consider the use of roads and public spaces for real life technology trials proposed by the SMEs. In recent years, trials have been held locally for innovative technologies including driverless pods, electric scooters, and MK’s famous delivery robots.
We will be hosting an application support webinar on April 5 at 10am with Connected Places Catapult and True Altitude, where SMEs can ask question about the challenges and application process. Register here
Deputy Leader of Milton Keynes Council, Cllr Robin Bradburn said: “This is a significant opportunity for small businesses to learn invaluable lessons through real time testing. They’ll also work with industry experts who know exactly how to generate commercial investment for projects with potential. We expect some organisations’ plans will take a great leap forward as a result, which will unlock useful intelligence for our city as we work towards greener, better connected and more sustainable transport options.”
To apply and find out more information about the programme, please visit the Milton Keynes Accelerator website.