HS2 on hunt for local innovators
THE next phase of an innovation programme to get West Midlands companies involved with the HS2 project has been launched.
The ‘Innovation Accelerator’ scheme was initially opened in June and called for local small businesses to showcase ideas in three key areas: productivity, environment and recycling materials.
Phase two has now been launched with the high-speed rail project looking for ideas on how people can best spend time at stations before departure and how to optimise digital services for building HS2.
Innovation Accelerator is being run in partnership with city tech campus Innovation Birmingham and its overall aim is to drive project efficiencies and create wider, longterm economic benefits around HS2.
It said it received 109 applications for just five spots in the first phase of recruitment with another quintet to be offered places on phase two, to be based at Innovation Birmingham from the autumn.
Among the concepts to emerge from phase one were 3D concrete printing and using automated drone technology to assist with the planting of seven million trees along the HS2 route.
The application process is open until September 18 after which HS2 will choose five of the companies to take forward where they will receive commercial and technical support and rent-free working space to develop their proposal.
After six months, products and services will be showcased and pitched to industry investors and HS2’s supply chain.
Head of innovation Howard Mitchell said: “We received over 100 applications from innovative tech start-ups and SMEs to join cohort one which beat all our expectations.
“The level of interest underlines the opportunity that HS2 offers to some of the most innovative and dynamic young firms in the country.
“I’m therefore extremely positive about the prospects for cohort two and new thinking on how we build Britain’s new high-speed rail network and enable passengers to make best use of their time in our stations.”