APC launches new future-mobility accelerator

Posted on 13 Jan 2025 by The Manufacturer

The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) has announced the launch of a new future-mobility accelerator, Mobilise.

Launched in partnership with Zenzic, the programme will combine elements of APC’s award-winning Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) with the technical validation opportunities currently provided by Zenzic’s CAM Scale-Up UK initiative through CAM Testbed UK’s extensive network of world-leading testing facilities.

Funded by the government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Mobilise will provide opportunities for ambitious start-ups, SMEs, and spinouts developing zero-emission, and Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) products, services, and solutions to progress their early-stage businesses towards investment and market readiness.

Grant funding of up to £180,000 is available with the opportunity to apply for further booster funding of £75,000. Businesses will be supported on the 18-month programme of structured coaching sessions through a network of investment and industry mentors to help them develop their commercialisation strategies.

APC and Zenzic have deep experience running accelerators of this sort. The 100+ businesses that have been through their previous TDAP and CAM Scale-Up UK programmes have raised over £380m of private investment and made significant commercial progress following their time on the programmes.

Head of Product, APC, Josh Denne said: “We are on a journey to accelerate our arrival at a safer, smarter, and more sustainable future.  This is our shared destination for the automotive industry and wider mobility sector. Although navigating two distinct pathways, net-zero and connected and automated mobility (CAM), we recognise that these pathways frequently intersect.

“We are proud to launch the Mobilise accelerator, an opportunity to work together and strengthen our product offering for industry, government, and academia, positioning ourselves to better support the innovative start-ups, spinouts and SMEs that will help the UK arrive at net zero by 2050.”

For Mobilise, the APC is looking for:

  • Ambitious UK-based micro, small and medium-sized companies.
  • Businesses developing either zero-emission mobility or Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology, products, or services.
  • Businesses that can demonstrate at least the feasibility of their technology concept through modelling or initial prototyping.
  • Businesses should be open to exploring routes to market for their technology and be able to benefit from programme activities.

Key dates:

  • 10 January 2025 – Competition opens  
  • 19 March 2025 at 12 noon GMT – Application deadline   

If you would like to express your interest, please visit the website and complete the expression of interest form. Further details are available here.

Interested applicants are encouraged to speak to the APC and Zenzic’s Business Development Team at [email protected] to discuss the eligibility of their project and gain advice on how to submit the strongest application possible.

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