News from the catapult network

News headlines from across the Catapult Network. For comprehensive news updates, please explore our Politics Home webpage or visit individual Catapult websites

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Catapult Network
NEWS
Listen to our Supercharging Innovation podcast series
This latest series explores how the UK must break down barriers to solve national and global challenges and how this can be realised through the power of science, innovation and technology. You’ll be hearing from our expert Catapult panellists and an array of very special guests including industrialists, academics, politicians and thought leaders.
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Connected Places
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News
Leaders and innovators gather for the Connected Places Summit
Over 200 speakers and thought leaders from the worlds of transport, the built environment, and cities are set to join the Summit in London and online. Network Rail Chief Executive Sir Andrew Haines leads a stellar line-up of speakers to kick off the second Connected Places Summit in London today. Sir Andrew is in conversation with Connected Places Catapult’s Chief Executive, Erika Lewis this morning, exploring the importance of innovation in shaping the future of Britain’s railways.
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Connected Places
News
Leaders and innovators gather for the Connected Places Summit
Over 200 speakers and thought leaders from the worlds of transport, the built environment, and cities are set to join the Summit in London and online. Network Rail Chief Executive Sir Andrew Haines leads a stellar line-up of speakers to kick off the second Connected Places Summit in London today. Sir Andrew is in conversation with Connected Places Catapult’s Chief Executive, Erika Lewis this morning, exploring the importance of innovation in shaping the future of Britain’s railways.
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Cell and Gene Therapy
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News
Network established to identify opportunities for regulation to support innovation within advanced therapies
A new network will foster collaboration among regulators, industry, and researchers to ensure there is a world-leading regulatory environment in the UK for advanced therapies that supports companies in the development, trial, and launch of these innovative treatments. Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, an independent innovation and technology organisation specialising in the advancement of the cell and gene therapy industry, and the Birmingham Health Partners Centre for Regulatory Science and Innovation (CRSI) established the network with funding from Innovate UK and support from the MHRA.
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Digital
News
Digital Catapult becomes one of the first sites to join national 6G research platform 
Digital Catapult, a deep tech innovation organisation, has become one of the first sites to connect to the JOINER (Joint Open Infrastructure for Networks Research) platform, advancing the development and use of data-driven and open future networks in the UK. Led by the University of Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab, the platform is set to accelerate the adoption of future communication and networking technologies, including 6G, nationwide.
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Medicines Discovery
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Medicines Discovery Catapult achieves ISO 45001 health and safety standard
Medicines Discovery Catapult has been awarded ISO 45001, an international standard for occupational health and safety. The standard is the world’s first international standard for occupational health and safety. Independently certified, it provides a framework to increase safety, reduce workplace risks and enhance health and wellbeing in the workplace.
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Compound Semiconductor Applications
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Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult wins funding to develop prototype of advanced quantum communication technology
Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult is part of a consortium that is one of the winners of the Quantum Missions pilot competition, securing a share of £12m of funding from Innovate UK. The collaboration brings together Vector Photonics, Phlux Technology, and the University of Bristol, alongside the Catapult’s expertise. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of quantum computing (QC) and quantum networks (QN) by overcoming barriers to commercialisation – leveraging capabilities already proven by the Catapult’s earlier feasibility study, QUDITS, delivered in 2024.
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High Value Manufacturing
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Future-Proofing UK Food Production: Embracing Innovation to Strengthen Domestic Capabilities
Bhavnita Patel, in the Food and Drink Federation’s “Future Factory” report, highlights how digital innovation, AI, and automation can help UK food producers boost efficiency, address skills gaps, and drive long-term growth. High Value Manufacturing Catapult is supporting businesses to turn these opportunities into reality.
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High Value Manufacturing
News
Future-Proofing UK Food Production: Embracing Innovation to Strengthen Domestic Capabilities
Bhavnita Patel, in the Food and Drink Federation’s “Future Factory” report, highlights how digital innovation, AI, and automation can help UK food producers boost efficiency, address skills gaps, and drive long-term growth. High Value Manufacturing Catapult is supporting businesses to turn these opportunities into reality.
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Offshore Renewable Energy
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News
A dozen North East businesses chosen for award-winning offshore renewables supply chain programme
Twelve businesses in the North East of Scotland targeting success in the offshore renewable energy market have been selected for the award-winning Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) supply chain support programme. The programme is open to companies looking to break into the offshore renewable energy sector, scale up an existing presence in the industry, or make the transition to renewables from other sectors, such as oil and gas. F4OR is delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and has supported more than 150 companies over the last five years who have, on average, experienced an increase in turnover of 28% as a result of securing new contracts and many have gone on to become market-leading suppliers to the offshore wind sector.
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Offshore Renewable Energy
News
A dozen North East businesses chosen for award-winning offshore renewables supply chain programme
Twelve businesses in the North East of Scotland targeting success in the offshore renewable energy market have been selected for the award-winning Fit For Offshore Renewables (F4OR) supply chain support programme. The programme is open to companies looking to break into the offshore renewable energy sector, scale up an existing presence in the industry, or make the transition to renewables from other sectors, such as oil and gas. F4OR is delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, and has supported more than 150 companies over the last five years who have, on average, experienced an increase in turnover of 28% as a result of securing new contracts and many have gone on to become market-leading suppliers to the offshore wind sector.
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Energy Systems
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News
New Local Area Energy Planning roadmap sets out path for local authorities to attract green investment
Today, Energy Systems Catapult and Phoenix Group launch a new report, ‘Unlocking Regional Investment Through Local Area Energy Planning’, demonstrating that the UK’s transition to Net Zero requires a refreshed approach to financing local energy projects.
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Satellite Applications
News
Using Space Data to Restore Nature: Four SME Projects Lead the Way with Take-Off Funding
An AI-powered app helping children speak to endangered animals; a tool to use nature to fight climate change; a way to measure forest health; and a method to make decisions to build healthy communities – these four projects are using space data to help nature. The four projects beat fierce competition to receive up to £50,000 of funding to develop their projects for nature regeneration using space data through the Design to Deliver programme.
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