The Open London project brings together London residents, large organisations, and innovative London SMEs to solve socio-economic, health and environmental challenges and increase

living standards in London.

Based on an open innovation model, it takes residents' insights and aligns these with urgent and important requirements of local authorities or businesses i.e., London boroughs, contractors, corporates, local communities etc. working towards solving pressing issues across London.

The project will support 90 London SMEs or social enterprises to scale their innovations to solve pressing challenges. The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by Newable on behalf of the Greater London Authority.

Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 22 May

London-based SMEs or social enterprises are invited to suggest innovative solutions to address the challenges raised by London residents.

Applications will be assessed against the eligibility and suitability criteria listed below.   

Selected SMEs will be invited to join an intensive Accelerator Programme delivered over four months comprising a series of curated upskilling workshops and bespoke 1-2-1 support provided by our Innovation Advisers to support the development of their solutions, resulting in new or improved products or services to help benefit London communities.

At the end of the Accelerator Programme, selected SMEs will have the opportunity to pitch to a panel for the possibility of receiving a small grant to support the development of their solution and, potentially, to scale it through a Collaboration Agreement with the London organisations who support the Open London challenges  

By joining the Open London project, you will have the opportunity to:

• Access a free, intensive Accelerator Programme specifically designed to help you develop your innovative solution to solve pressing challenges affecting your fellow Londoners and generate revenue.
• Receive ongoing bespoke 1-2-1 support from our experienced Innovation Advisers.
• Pitch to a panel for the possibility of receiving a small grant towards the development and commercialisation of your innovative product or service and, potentially, engage with London-based private and public sector organisations focusing on addressing the challenge your solution can help solve (known as Challenge Holders).

We are looking for SMEs that can help solve pressing issues in London in six key Challenge areas: Health/Wellbeing, Social Care, Transport, Environment, Energy and Housing.

Are you able to support these challenges to improve the lives of London Residents with your innovative solution?

A healthy life for London residents

Equal social care for London residents

Greener travel for London residents

A greener lifestyle for London residents

Efficient energy for London residents

Quality Homes for London residents

To be eligible to join this subsidised programme, your business must:

• Be based in London
• Be registered in the UK
• Meet the SME criteria according to the European SME definition

To be suitable to join this programme, your business must:

• Have an innovative solution to a key London challenge in one of the Open London challenge areas
  (see above).
• Commit to attending all six sessions as part of the Open London Accelerator Programme

Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 22 May

Our panel of expert judges will review all applications based on the following criteria:

• Stage of solution/innovation
• Technology/market readiness 
• Features of the solution
  
• Solution novelty
• Cost to commercialise
• Relevance and scope of market
  
• Relevance and scope to the challenge areas 
• Sector information

The Accelerator programme is delivered by experts and will be held over six workshop sessions across a period of four months covering the following subjects:

The Accelerator workshops will be held in person at a location in Central London on the following dates:

Workshop One - Thursday 13 June

Workshop Two - Thursday 20 June

Workshop Three - Wednesday 3 July

Workshop Four - Wednesday 10 July

Workshop Five - Wednesday 4 September

Workshop Six - Wednesday 11 September

Successful companies will be invited to pitch on either Wednesday 25 September or

Thursday 26 September.

In addition to attending the workshops, businesses will also receive ongoing bespoke 1-2-1 support from our Innovation Advisers to support the development, creation and commercialisation of new or improved products and services and support you in preparing a pitch for approaching potential partners in London.

Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 22 May

Do you want to find out more about the Open London project and how it could help your business develop your innovative solution to help address key London challenges?

You can contact us at openlondon@newable.co.uk

The Open London project is supported by the Mayor of London and delivered by Newable on behalf of the Greater London Authority.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and will provide £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For full details please click here.