The Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) has launched a new Innovator Support Portal to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) navigate their way through the energy market.
The service will offer market intelligence and research, information on potential funding opportunities and access to a network of other innovators and sector experts. Users will be able to profile their businesses on the portal and pitch for partners.
Paul Jordon, innovator support business lead for the ESC, said: “Innovation is crucial to transforming the UK energy system, yet many innovators – particularly SMEs – face systemic barriers preventing their products and services getting to market at scale.
“Energy Systems Catapult’s innovator support is provided SMEs with support across three tiers: universal, incubation and acceleration.
“We provide tailored incubation and acceleration support to selected SMEs to help them de-risk innovation, commercialise, scale-up their businesses and secure investment – with two innovator challenges announced each year.
“Universal support is available to all SMEs and now with the launch of the Innovator Support Portal, SMEs will have direct online access for energy system guides, insights and market intelligence, innovation challenges, funding calls, and access to a network of potential business partners.
“And most importantly, when SMEs sign-up to the portal this opens the door to investors and our international supply chain database – which matches UK SMEs with global opportunities.”
The portal was created in partnership with the Energy Industries Council (EIC).
EIC innovation community lead Liam Bolton said: “The Innovator Support Portal will complement the EIC’s own new digital platform, through which innovators can promote innovative ideas and products, share development proposals, open-up discussions within the innovation community, get industry insight, and access the latest opportunities for innovation from our electricity, gas and water industry partners.”