Tech companies join HS2’s innovation accelerator

The first group of technology companies have joined HS2 Ltd’s Innovation Accelerator programme.

HS2 Ltd is headquartered in Birmingham, and the five, chosen from 109 applicants to the programme, will receive commercial and technical support from the Innovation Accelerator together with rent-free working space as they develop their technology to help deliver Europe’s largest infrastructure project.

The companies are Buildots, London firms Sensat and Cloudcycle, Oxford-headquartered Dendra Systems, and Surrey’s NatureMetrics. All five start their HS2 development work this month.

After six months of development inside the Accelerator the firms’ products will be showcased and pitched to industry investors and HS2’s supply chain, consisting of the thousands of companies ranging from the largest international engineers to specialist suppliers to the project.

HS2 Ltd’s head of innovation Howard Mitchell said: “HS2 is already showcasing the very best of British skills and innovation, and the five companies shortlisted for the Innovation Accelerator today are shining examples of this.

“The size and scale of this project creates the perfect environment to encourage innovation and develop technologies that can create long-term business opportunities both in and beyond the rail and construction sectors.”