Member Article

New innovation funding revealed to boost small firms in transport sector

To mark the fifth anniversary of Small Business Saturday, which took place December 2, the government has announced new innovation funding to boost small firms in the transport sector.

Over 50 transport sector SMEs have already received funding to kick-start innovative projects, through the Transport Technology Research Innovation Grant (T-TRIG).

This includes a business helping blind and partially-sighted people navigate towns and cities, and a company that has developed an electronic motor which can be fixed to bikes.

Now firms will have the opportunity to bid for funding through the next round of the T-TRIG scheme, set up to support innovation.

T-TRIG funds early-stage research projects with the aim of helping to create a better transport system. This is one of the ways the government is supporting businesses and entrepreneurs across the UK.

Some of the businesses funded through the last round of T-TRIG include:

• Wayfindr: a system that helps blind and partially sighted people navigate towns and cities using Bluetooth-enabled beacons and smartphones
• Biella Research: a bike share docking station, allowing cyclists to stack more bikes in the same station to make the most of the space available
• Simply Connect: a platform to manage public transport on demand, using people-carrier-sized vehicles
• DriverNet: an app that prevents delays for delivery vehicles
• Pushme Inc: an electronic motor which can be attached to any conventional bicycle in seconds, leading to faster commuting times

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “Many pioneering and innovative transport companies are ready to put their ideas into practice and I am pleased that firms will have another opportunity to bid for funding through the T-TRIG programme.

“We want to tap into ground-breaking ideas for the benefit of passengers across the country, and I look forward to hearing about the next round of projects.”