SMEs invited to 'Mobilise' on zero-emission
"We are very proud of this unique and targeted product offering, which supports the most innovative start-ups, spinouts, and small businesses who are truly the future of mobility for the UK.”
This month has brought the opening of a 12-month programme targeted at UK-based SMEs, start-ups, and spinouts focused on developing zero-emission automotive, and Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technologies, products and services.
The 'Mobilise' programme is funded by the government’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and facilitated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Zenzic.
The automotive industry in Warwickshire, from design to manufacturing, is a major employer, accounting for over 45,000 jobs across the city and county. Many of these are in SMEs manufacturing and supplying larger local OEM original equipment makers and their suppliers with goods and services. Mobilise will be present a great opportunity for many of those SME businesses.
Grant funding of up to £173,500 is available with opportunities for ambitious start-ups, SMEs, and spinouts developing zero-emission and CAM products, services, and solutions to progress their early-stage businesses towards investment and market readiness.
Delivered in two phases, Market Focus and Technology Validation, Mobilise combines a unique blend of grant-funding, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help accelerate technology to market and enable businesses to be better-positioned to attract future investment.
Mobilise offers:
- Business strategy and commercialisation guidance, and opportunities for technology development.
- Mentoring in strategic focus areas, delivered by independent business advisors and investors covering; commercial strategy, intellectual property management, investment-readiness, new product development, cost engineering & supply chain, leadership, and new-venture growth.
- Concept validation and testing, including access to world-class CAM Testbed UK facilities.
- Peer-to-peer learning via a support network of like-minded, ambitious businesses.
APC and Zenzic have deep experience running business accelerator programmes. The 100+ businesses that have been through their programmes have raised over £443 million of private investment and made significant commercial progress following their time on the programmes.
Rik Adams, Innovation Delivery Director, APC, said: “There’s a giant void between having an idea or an invention and turning that into a real-world business. Mobilise offers a unique blend of grant funding, mentoring, and networking opportunities within the mobility sector, helping businesses to create robust strategies and business models to accelerate their route to market.
"We are very proud of this unique and targeted product offering, which supports the most innovative start-ups, spinouts, and small businesses who are truly the future of mobility for the UK.”
Mark Cracknell, Programme Director, Zenzic, said: “The future of mobility in the UK will be built on the back of ambitious SME’s bringing their innovative technologies to enhance our evolving Transport and Automotive sectors. Mobilise serves as an exciting opportunity for these businesses to take a big step towards market readiness. Mobilise works for a range of SMEs in the sector, from start-ups or university spinouts to more mature SME organisations that can benefit from the programmes’ business strategy and development mentoring. I would encourage anyone interested in how the programme can support them to get in touch.”
For Mobilise, the kind of companies sought are :
- Ambitious UK-based micro, small, and medium-sized companies.
- Businesses developing either zero-emission mobility or Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) technology, products, or services.
- Businesses that can demonstrate the feasibility of their technology concept through modelling or initial prototyping.
- Businesses should be open to exploring routes to market for their technology and be able to benefit from programme activities.
February 2nd, 2026, at 11:00 GMT is the deadline for applications.
For more information and to apply, please visit the Mobilise website.
If you are interested in talking about Mobilise specifically contact the APC or Zenzic. For wider business support in Warwickshire, please visit: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/businesssupport