The third of our SME Challenges on Depot Digitalisation and Sustainability, with DB Cargo as the end client, is nearing the Dragons Den style presentations which are due to take place during the first week of November.
After the launch event in July interested SMEs were invited to tour the DB Cargo depots at Stoke on Trent and/or Toton to see first-hand what the opportunities were and to discuss potential ideas with key representatives. These events attracted over 36 companies and resulted in a total of 45 ideas being submitted.
After careful consideration, DB Cargo have selected 18 SMEs to present a total of 27 ideas at the forthcoming online Dragons Den style event
The Rail Forum are undertaking SME Challenges such as this as part of the Rail Sector Deal and on behalf of the Rail Supply Group. The second SME challenge on Decarbonisation resulted in four of the ideas being successful in obtaining First of a Kind (FOAK) funding, totalling almost £1.6m!
The Rail Forum are now looking to undertake further SME Challenges in the near future…….watch this space.
