Unlock Funding for Digital Supply Chain Innovation
The Made Smarter Innovation Digital Supply Chain Hub seeks companies interested in developing and deploying digital technology in their testbeds.
Deadline extended to 22nd December 2023.
The Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub is on a mission to transform UK manufacturing through digitally-empowered supply chains that are more efficient, resilient and sustainable. For this innovation competition, the Digital Supply Chain Hub is seeking companies that are interested in developing and deploying digital technology solutions in the DSCH testbeds.
A supply-chain testbed can be defined as an end-to-end supply chain environment, where technologies can be deployed and tested using real data but without risking business disruption. At the Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub, we are supporting the development of four testbeds in food, automotive spares, textiles, and hydrogen sectors. The Digital Supply Chain Testbeds were commissioned to provide multi-tier supply chain environments in which innovative digital solutions can be developed, tested and demonstrated. A key aspect is allowing the demonstration of value, with the ambition of driving adoption of digital solutions.
Together with the testbed companies, we have identified seven potential challenge areas. Each challenge comes with £100,000 available for a tech solution provider to work with an Industry Challenge Sponsor to address critical supply-chain challenges; and develop a solution which will be deployed into one of the testbeds. The potential challenge areas are:
- Standardised Naming System for Automotive Spare Parts
- Project Finance & Market Modelling in the Emerging Hydrogen Supply Chain
- Digital Product Passport for the Textile Supply Chain
- Connected Life Cycle Assessment in the Textile Supply Chain
- Logistics pricing engine in the Textile Supply Chain
- Data driven best before date in the Food Supply Chain
- A Marketplace for Investment in Sustainable Farming
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The programme seeks applications from technology innovators who are interested in developing and piloting technology MVPs (Technology Readiness Level – TRL 6-8) collaborating with Industry partners solving supply chain challenges in the FMCG, textiles,automotive and low-carbon hydrogen sectors.
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Participants on the programme will receive the following benefits:
Pilot funding: Up to £100,000 in grant funding to develop a challenge focused Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and supporting material within the timeframe of the project.
Engagement: collaborate with the Digital Supply Chain Testbeds and Industry Challenge Sponsors; meetings with the Testbeds and Challenge sponsors and Digital Catapult’s subject matter experts
Peer-to-peer learning: Be part of a cohort of selected companies made up of entrepreneurs from across a range of sectors
Showcase event: an opportunity to participate, pitch and attend meetings at the showcase events and any relevant DSCH events
Digital Supply Chain Hub Platform: Upon successful completion of the Project, the participant will have the opportunity to join the future Digital Supply Chain Hub Platform, which will offer a platform to connect interested digital supply chain stakeholders.
Alumni Programme: Upon successful completion of the Project, the opportunity to join the Digital Catapult Alumni Network, which keeps them informed of opportunities and relevant updates from the Digital Catapult, and which provides additional opportunities to engage with Digital Catapult and other alumni.
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- Build an MVP against the chosen industrial challenge working together with the testbed and challenge sponsor.
- Showcase tech solution developed in the programme – Digital Catapult does not take ownership of your Intellectual Property developed on the Programme, however we do require you to present your solution relating to your challenge at the Showcase event.
- Attend all sessions with Digital Catapult and the testbeds between March 2024 and August 2024 to develop and deploy your tech solution in the DSCH testbeds.
- Work with, and liaise with, the testbeds and challenge sponsor and report back to Digital Catapult on progress.
- Applicants must be eligible to receive £100,000 in State Assistance (further details can be found in the Competition T&Cs).
We expect a minimum Co-investment of £100,000 from Solution Providers/Grant recipients. There are various categories of co-investment which can be considered. The Co-investments covers the value for money and cost to deliver the technology solutions. You can find further information on what Co-investment we are looking for here.