Mobilise 2025
Mobilise is a structured early-stage accelerator programme that supports ambitious micro, small and medium-size enterprises, start-ups or university spinouts, that are developing innovative automotive-related early-stage, zero-emission or Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technologies, products, services or solutions to accelerate the transition to a safer, smarter, more sustainable future.
Offering a unique blend of grant funding, mentoring, and networking opportunities within the mobility sector, Mobilise helps companies to create robust strategies and business models to accelerate route to market. Mobilise builds on the award-winning features of the Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) but is further enhanced by technical validation opportunities through Zenzic’s CAM Scale-Up UK initiative, leveraging their extensive network of world-leading Testbed facilities. To find out more download the programme brochure.
Open for applications
We ask all applicants to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) prior to submitting a full application to ensure that the business falls within the programme scope.
Applicants will be asked a few short questions about their business and innovation. EOIs will be reviewed by the team and those that fall within scope will be invited to submit a full application.
Closing date for full applications: Wednesday 19 March 2025 at 12 noon GMT.
Helping businesses be investment and market-ready
This 18 month programme helps companies develop a robust strategy and business model to identify commercial pathways to market and accelerate progress through a combination of grant funding, business mentoring and industry networking opportunities.
What can you expect?
- Up to £180,000 grant funding split across two phases with opportunity to apply for a further booster fund of £75,000. Any award is subject to Ministerial and His Majesty’s Treasury approval.
- Business strategy guidance and technology development delivered over two phases: Market Focus and Technology Validation
- Six focus areas supported and delivered by a series of flexible workstream activities and workshops including:
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- Commercialisation strategy and financial planning
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- Intellectual property management
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- Investor–readiness
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- New product development
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- Leadership and new venture growth
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- Corporate and alumni networks
- Opportunity to validate technology through a bespoke, concept validation project, including access to world-leading CAM Testbed UK facilities
- Business and investor mentoring from independent experts
- Automotive industry networking
- Peer-to-peer support via a community of like-minded, ambitious businesses
Eligibility – We’re looking for:
- Ambitious UK-based micro, small and medium-sized businesses
- Businesses that can demonstrate the feasibility of their technology concept through modelling or initial prototyping
- Applicants that are open to exploring routes to market for their technology and evidence that the business will benefit from programme activities and APC and Zenzic engagement to support this
Eligible technologies
On or off-vehicle
- Software or hardware technologies
- Full vehicles (including e-bikes, e-mopeds, etc.), however, the technology deployed within the vehicle must be innovative and the application would need to show how the vehicle supports or accelerates the move to zero-emission transport
Zero-emission enabling
- Innovative automotive technology, products and services which accelerate the transition to zero-emission systems and solutions
- Aligns with one or more of the UK Automotive Strategic technologies (see below); or if outside of these areas you should be able to demonstrate a strong automotive impact potential.
- Example technology areas include:
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- Batteries, their components, management and integration systems
- Fuel cell and associated balance of plant
- Electric machines & power electronics
- Hydrogen storage and management systems
- Lightweight vehicle and powertrain structures
- Manufacturing processes associated with industrialising relevant net-zero technologies
- Direct recycling methods resulting in recovery of critical materials
- Significant reduction in vehicle development timescales
- Digitalisation leveraged during the design, development, testing, production or in-service phases
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Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM)
- Innovative products, services and solutions which can accelerate the transition to self-driving transportation
- Technologies which support Zenzic’s commitment to ensure a safer, more inclusive, and productive future
While we are interested any technology or solutions that will advance CAM, we are particularly interested in:
- Simulation & Digital Twins – Tools, processes and methods for the development of simulation to support the development and deployment of CAM services.
- Cyber Security & Resilience: Solutions that enhance security and resilience to cyber-physical threats
- Vehicle Hardware: Solutions to ‘drive-by-wire’ systems that can support safety and security requirements for CAM
- Connectivity & Data: Solutions that develop the enabling connectivity and data required in deploying CAM services at scale, this includes approaches to mapping.
- Testing & Assurance: Novel solutions to the complex task of verifying, validating and assuring (VVA) CAM solutions.
- Software & Automation: Novel solutions in the development of automation and integration with vehicle systems.
- Other key CAM enablers – Finance, insurance and legal
Application process
1 – Applicants must complete an Expression of Interest.
2 – Eligible applicants will be asked to complete a full competition application.
3 – Shortlisted organisations will be asked to attend an interview. Successful applicants will then be invited to join Mobilise.
Key dates
- Expressions of Interest opens: 9 January 2025
- Full application opens: 9 January 2025
- Full application closes: 19 March 2025 at 12 noon GMT
- Interviews: w/c 30 April – 9 May 2025
- Applicants notified: w/c 19 May 2025
- Programme begins: 10 June 2025
Here’s what some of the companies we’ve supported have to say…
The programme enabled us to go from purely academic research, to a commercially meaningful and functioning entity, giving us access to specialised automotive consultants which helped us define our value proposition, find our target market, our position in the value chain, what our business model was, how to be profitable and to write a business plan to enable us to raise further investment and grants.
Having access to world leading experts from CAM Testbed UK goes way beyond the grant value that you get. The experience and the advice that you get is very, very valuable.
The programme gives you the financial support, which is quite a small part of the overall benefit. It gives you the tools and the resource to be able to execute and see the opportunity there is for a proper profitable business which can grow, develop and expand into the future. This process lays the foundations to be able to do that.
Want to chat to the team?
If the Mobilise sounds like the support your business needs, we’d love to talk to you. Use the form below to get in touch with us or contact our Business Development Lead, Chris Harris.
Chris Harris
Business Development Lead
Chris Harris
Business Development Lead
Chris Harris
Contact us
To get in touch with a member of the team…
General enquiries
[email protected]Media enquiries
[email protected]Career opportunities
[email protected]Advanced Propulsion Centre
IIPSI Building
University Road
Coventry
CV4 7AL