Milton Keynes Council is offering small businesses who are operating in the field of data analysis, 5G or artificial intelligence the opportunity to join a six-month business acceleration programme.

The ‘Milton Keynes Accelerator’ is designed to help 10 small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) who can help the city develop more sustainable transport choices and infrastructure with a view to developing fresh ideas and technologies.

If chosen, the SMEs will have the opportunity to work with a consortium of industry partners, including Centre:MK, Amey and Socius Development, who will provide technical and investment expertise as well as access to state-of-the-art testing facilities.

The council will consider the use of roads and public spaces for real life technology trials proposed by the SMEs. In recent years, trials have been held locally for innovative technologies including driverless pods, electric scooters, and MK’s famous delivery robots.

Deputy leader of Milton Keynes Council, Cllr Robin Bradburn, said: ‘This is a significant opportunity for small businesses to learn invaluable lessons through real time testing. They’ll also work with industry experts who know exactly how to generate commercial investment for projects with potential. We expect some organisations’ plans will take a great leap forward as a result, which will unlock useful intelligence for our city as we work towards greener, better connected and more sustainable transport options.’

The accelerator is being delivered by Connected Places Catapult in partnership with True Altitude and supported financially by Milton Keynes Council using national grant funding. The council has also invested £3.1m in an economic recovery fund to help local people and businesses bounce back after the pandemic.