The Energy Systems Catapult has launched its third ‘innovator challenge’.

Small and medium-sized (SME) innovators focused on digital platforms and data services can apply to join the Innovator Support Platform to receive tailored business incubation and acceleration support.

The Catapult is encouraging applications from outside the traditional energy marketplace, including from areas such as telecoms, fintech and data analytics or data science. It wants to hear from companies that want to enter or are alteady are active across the ‘energy system digital landscape’,  either developing a digital or data solution to address existing energy system challenges or using existing technology to deliver new business models or solutions in an innovative way. That includes applications in consumer service, managing and understanding assets, setting up local energy trading platforms or delivering transactions.

The ISP provides expertise both from ES Catapult and from a wider network of around 40 specialist firms. It will work directly with the innovators to understand their challenges and future plans and deliver a tailor-made programme of incubation or acceleration support to help them develop.

Applicants must be in the technology development stage and in reciept of less than £200,000 of other support. They must be able to attend a workshop on 17-18 October.

Entries close at midday on 30 September. Application forms here.