Apply now for the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Programme 2022

It was so successful, with every single SME in the 2021 cohort seeing a positive outcome ranging from investment to partnership opportunities, that a second cohort will be put through their paces in a new 2022 Programme.

So if you’re an SME in the electric vehicle battery sector and want to be a part of the Programme, apply now.  Just 15 SMEs will be selected and will learn to hone their pitch to investors, get a better understanding of the funding cycle and be more confident in delivering their story.

Watch our video briefing below:

Who should apply?

For the 2022 cohort we strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups and female applicants. Diversity is a central priority for Innovate UK KTN. We focus on developing and championing greater diversity which we know will create a better and stronger innovation system for the UK.

The Programme is tailor-made for the electric vehicle battery sector and will help up to 15 selected SMEs prepare to present and connect to potential investors. We are looking for SMEs that are at a demonstrator stage of development.

Please note that if you have participated in the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2021 you will not be eligible to re-apply. This programme is open to new participants only. If you have previously participated in our programme and still need support please contact us.

Eligibility criteria

• UK based SMEs
• Organisations active in batteries for electric vehicle propulsion (automotive and beyond, excluding stationary storage)
• Organisations across the battery value chain (including cell materials and components, cells, modules and packs, recycling & enabling technologies)
• The programme is open to new participants only. If you have participated in the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2021 you will not be eligible to re-apply.

The process

Following an application process, the Programme continues with training workshops led by Innovate UK KTN and supported by experts and investors including one to one mentoring sessions.  At the end of the Programme, you’ll have developed an investor pitch, finessed your proposition and you’ll have a defendable understanding of your finances and future plans.

The Programme will culminate in a showcase event where the cohort will pitch to an audience of UK investors. Following this, the cohort will also have the opportunity to pitch to an audience of US investors.

How to apply

Application deadline 17:00, 9 February 2022

If you would like to apply to take part, please complete our application form here.

It will take about one hour to apply for the 2022 intake: if you’ve any doubts about the potential of the Programme to help your company, why not take five minutes to read about the £1.5m investment in of one of the 2021 Programme alumni here.

Timetable

A launch event took place on 24 January 2022 to explain more about this year’s Programme. Watch the recording here or in the video above.

The deadline for applications is 9 February 2022 with application reviews and selection taking place w/c 14 February 2022.  The Programme will start w/c 21 March 2022 and will culminate in selected companies pitching to investors in May followed by showcases of selected companies to UK and then US investors in June.