Catalyst Pilot Projects

What are Catalyst Pilot Projects?

Catalyst Pilot Projects are projects lasting a maximum of six months with a budget of up to £40k managed by ecosystem organisations working with the tech sector in regions outside of London.

We will fund at least 10 locally led pilot projects that provide intensive support to at least 300 tech businesses across the UK, tackling local ecosystem challenges in innovative ways. The aim is to both test new approaches to business support and generate valuable learning that can be shared across the wider UK tech ecosystem.

Projects should result in direct support provided to tech sector organisations and should address one or both of the following:

  • Start-up and Scale-up tech businesses – supporting businesses on their start-up and growth journeys.
  • Innovation in Technology – supporting R&D and innovation activities to develop new use cases and applications.

     

We are looking for projects from across the UK regions, with a distribution geographically and a mixed portfolio of established ecosystem organisations while also providing opportunities for early-stage groups looking to catalyse engagement and support in their local tech ecosystem.

To be considered as an ecosystem organisation for the purposes of accessing the Catalyst Pilot Projects, you should have the following attributes:

  • Local understanding – your organisation can demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of your local tech ecosystem through constant engagement at the grassroots level.
  • Independence – your organisation is a formally constituted*, place-based organisation who’s principle activity is to support your local tech ecosystem to grow.
  • Collaboration – your organisation is prepared to work collaboratively, and share learning, with other tech ecosystem organisations across the UK to benefit the whole of the UK’s tech ecosystem.

*Note we are open to applications from groups that may not have formally constituted yet, however you must be a relevant formal entity with a bank account, to be awarded a pilot contract.

Catalyst Pilot Projects must be innovative, place-based activities that directly support at least 30 tech businesses over 6 months directly supporting founders, start-up or scale-up tech companies, based on evidenced local needs.

Activities must start in September 2025 and be completed by the end of March 2026 with a maximum investment of £40k per project.

The core criteria that we will be assessing projects on include the following four areas:

  • Understanding local ecosystem challenges – providing evidence that identifies why the activities are required and how they are relevant specifically to your ecosystem.
  • Innovation – your project should not just be funding business as usual and we are looking for innovative ideas that involve doing something new.
  • Inclusive local ecosystem engagement – demonstrating inclusive involvement of local tech founders and businesses and how you will reach new audiences.
  • Measurable and sustainable impact – making a difference to the local economy in the short and longer term.  This will include ideas on how activity can be sustained beyond the pilot period.


The outcomes of all Catalyst Pilot Projects will be shared at the national level through the Regional Tech Booster programme as case studies and to support the sharing of best practice with other tech ecosystems. You will be encouraged to participate in the National Best Practice Forum and to coordinate with organisations you work with to contribute where possible.

How to Apply?

The budget for the Regional Tech Booster is limited, and we expect it to be highly competitive. Our aim therefore is to keep the application process as simple and light touch as possible, while ensuring opportunities are open to ecosystem organisations across the country at various stages of maturity. The process is primarily made up of five stages:

Please note that applications for catalyst pilots  are now closed and successful applicants will be publicly announced on October 1st 2025

 

The webinar has now taken place and you can access the recording here

 

Expected w/b 25th August 2025

Interviews will be carried out with a member of the Tech Cluster Group to discuss your project if you are shortlisted. The interview process will help us gain a deeper understanding of your proposal and to ask questions about how you will achieve success in addressing local ecosystem needs. The interview will be 30-60 minutes and will be an informal discussion over Zoom or Teams.

Expected deadline 15th September 2025

Only successful applicants will be asked to produce a detailed project plan and budget as the first step of the contracting process. This will form the basis for the contract and should demonstrate how you will successfully engage with at least 30 tech businesses before the end of February 2026.

Expected September 2025

A contract will be signed based on our standard contract and agreement on the project plan and deliverables. You will be expected to report your progress on a monthly basis including details of any organisations you are working with, and on project spend. Reporting is expected to be as light touch as possible while providing us with the key data to understand the project progress and impact.

Catalyst Pilot Information Session

You can listen to a webinar providing further information about the Catalyst Pilots here

Diversity and Inclusion

The Regional Tech Booster programme is committed to providing opportunities to the diverse communities that our tech ecosystems represent. Projects that demonstrate inclusion as a key consideration in project delivery will be given priority and all projects will be expected to report on diversity and inclusion metrics with an expectation of including participants from diverse backgrounds.

See the Selection Criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the budget does not include any VAT and this should be recovered separately.  For non-VAT registered organisations we can include irrecoverable VAT

We welcome project ideas that involve partnerships, however the project application should come from one eligible ecosystem organisation.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted online and include information about the lead contact, the applicant organisation, a description of the activities and details of how the project will deliver on the four criteria detailed in the programme description.

Our expectation will be to provide every expression of interest with feedback from the assessment team. It may not be possible to provide this directly following the result but should be expected by mid-September.

You will be expected to provide short monthly updates on project progress, as well as details on each organisation you are working with through a centralised impact measurement system. Basic spending updates will be requested however detailed financial reporting will not be required. Financial records should be kept and all project spend should be accounted for in the case that any future auditing is required.

Yes, it’s here  Regional Tech Booster – Pilot Expression of Interest

Yes, an organisation can be involved in multiple projects or lead multiple projects

You can spend your Catalyst Pilot funding on activity that is essential to delivering your pilot and aligned with its goals, including:

  • Fees for delivery partners or subcontractors helping run your project

  • Communications and marketing (including materials, media, branding, etc.)

  • Specialist support such as research, evaluation or strategic communications

  • Travel and subsistence costs for project-related activity

  • Hosting events, roundtables, workshops or webinars

  • Contributing to policy through consultations or evidence submissions, if it’s directly relevant to your project’s aims

  • Providing evidence-based advice to local or national government related to your pilot

  • Costs related to using or adapting DSIT branding (e.g. rebranding or legal costs, if DSIT requires changes)

The funding cannot be used for:

  • Lobbying, political campaigning or influencing policy decisions for unrelated projects

  • Petitioning for more funding or campaigning to change legislation

  • VAT you can reclaim from HMRC

  • Religious or political activities

  • Work you’re already legally required to do, or that is already fully funded by someone else

  • Buying land or buildings, or covering depreciation or amortisation

  • Entertainment, gifts or hospitality

  • Staff bonuses, dividends or payments in kind

  • Pre-existing debts or costs incurred before your contract starts

  • Any costs already being reimbursed from other sources

As long as the subcontractors are named and undertaking eligible expenditure then they can be used

Yes, if a need can be evidenced this would be eligible.  However, accessibility and inclusivity to audiences is needed across all Catalyst Pilots

Any type of constituted organisation can apply for this funding as long as they meet the eligibility criteria

An outline budget would be helpful at EOI stage, but it is assumed each EOI is seeking £40k to run a project. If this is not the case, highlighting a lower value request would be useful. This budget request can be included in any of the response sections

The Regional Tech Booster is focused on growing tech ecosystems outside of London and we will not be accepting applications for Catalyst Pilots in London. The Catalyst Pilots are available to every other area of the UK as long as the applicant can show an understanding of their geographic tech ecosystem and demonstrate need for new activity in the area.

Yes, this would be eligible activity if an applicant can demonstrate a need in their ecosystem that is currently unmet. and demonstrate need for new activity in the area.

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