Transport tech start-ups to be boosted by almost £1 million

The Government has announced the Transport-Technology Research and Innovation Grant (T-TRIG), which entrepreneurs and innovators pioneering new ways of creating a better transport system can bid for.

Under the rules of the competition, innovative and tech-focused transport start-ups can bid for a £30,000 share of the £960,000 on offer so that they can take their ideas to market quicker. So far, over the past five years, the Government has provided £4.6 million via this grant to more than 140 technology and innovation projects.

T-TRIG is in its 10th round of funding but unique to this year’s grant, the competition has three themed elements: decarbonisation, age-friendly and accessible transport, and potholes and resilient infrastructure.

These themes reflect the Government’s Industrial Strategy ‘Grand Challenges’, which aim to put the UK at the forefront of the industries of the future, ensuring that the country takes advantage of major global changes, improving people’s lives and the UK’s productivity.

Speaking at the competition’s launch, Minister for the Future of Transport, George Freeman MP said that the grant will stimulate the brightest thinkers in UK universities and small business networks to try out novel solutions to fix legacy problems across the transport system and realise their visions for the future.

He added that schemes like T-TRIG will ensure the UK retains its reputation as a world-leading innovator and urged early-stage businesses in the transport sector to apply for the funds available.

A previous T-TRIG recipient said that early support from the Department for Transport (DfT) was crucial for getting their product – an e-bike – off the ground and allowed the firm to build its first prototype.