MTC and Plug and Play Launch Advanced Manufacturing and Physical AI Centre of Excellence
Related topics
Manufacturing
Growth & Scaling
The AI Centre of Excellence, powered by Plug and Play, will house the Innovation Accelerator, a dual-track program to support the scaling of startups and accelerate innovation
The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and Plug and Play will together establish the Advanced Manufacturing and Physical AI Centre of Excellence – an internationally recognised, high-impact initiative set to bring Plug and Play's global network of 550+ corporate partners and 100,000+ startups into direct connection with the Midlands' advanced manufacturing base, which employs more than 40,000 people across automotive, rail, aerospace, and motorsport.
I have seen what happens when great startups get access to the right partners at the right time. They grow fast. They create jobs. They change industries.
We wanted to build this program here in Coventry because the MTC has the industrial base and the credibility to make this work in the UK. We are here to connect it to the world.
Saeed Amidi, Founder & CEO of Plug and Play
To kickstart the initiative, the AI Centre will deliver MTC’s Innovation Accelerator pilot programme. Aligned with Innovate UK’s strategy to support high-potential businesses in scaling, the pilot will identify and help the most promising advanced manufacturing and deeptech startups validate their technologies. Challenge-based projects will also run in parallel to support established original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and leading industrial companies in solving key business problems by collaborating with startups. In time, MTC and Plug and Play will seek to introduce venture capital and other sources of finance to the programme, as well as key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.
The announcement comes a year on from the UK Government’s unveiling of its Modern Industrial Strategy, and forms part of wider efforts to supercharge the commercialisation of the country’s breakthrough innovations.
MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, established by and working in partnership with Innovate UK.
Speaking at the launch of the Innovation Accelerator programme, Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of Innovate UK, said:
The UK has no shortage of breakthrough ideas. The challenge is turning more of them into globally significant businesses. Initiatives like this that bridge the gap between nascent technologies and commercial success reflect our mission – to help innovators become the country’s industry giants in the future.
Tom Adeyoola, Executive Chair of Innovate UK
If we are to encourage homegrown startups to industrialise their innovations for frontier markets, we must provide more pathways for them to commercialise here. By combining our capabilities with Plug and Play’s expertise, we’re trailblazing new routes to market so that innovators can grow and thrive in the sectors backed by the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
Graham Hoare, CEO at MTC
This initiative builds on Plug and Play's track record of running accelerator programmes across more than 60 locations worldwide, connecting startups with the corporate partners and capital they need to scale.
More information about the programme is available here: https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/innovation-services/our-programs/mtc-ai-coe