Funding of up to £100,000 is available for UK technology innovators and startups who can develop a challenge focused minimum viable product (MVP) solution.

The Automotive Cluster Accelerator is part of the Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub programme. The cluster aims to enable Nissan and its key Supply Chain Partners to collaboratively address real industrial challenges in one of the North-East of England’s biggest supply chain operations. 

Digital Catapult, as delivery partner, will facilitate and guide the partnerships between Nissan, its Supply Chain Partners and the tech innovators. Solution providers based in the UK are encouraged to choose a challenge aligned with their expertise and apply by 23:59 on Sunday 28 September 2025.

Accelerator Background

Supply chains facilitate the flow of information, materials, and money between members in that supply chain, and collaboration is key to enabling this. For collaboration to happen, supply chain members need to coalesce around use cases that deliver value to all participants.

The Automotive Cluster Accelerator, led by Nissan as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and bringing together its key Supply Chain Partners – Vantec and Treves. Collectively they are looking to address real operational challenges related to inbound logistics, packaging visibility, and supply chain disruption management.

This automotive cluster is focused on solving problems related to the flow of returnable packaging and inbound deliveries. A lack of timely, accurate information can lead to shipment delays, excess packaging production, inefficient scheduling, and missed operational windows. The overarching aim is to improve visibility, forecasting, and responsiveness across the shared supply chain loop. This will be achieved using deep tech solutions to reduce friction, increase reliability, and enable smarter operational planning.

The Challenges

Challenge 1 in collaboration with Nissan

Real-time analysis of packaging supply chain disruptions in collaboration with Nissan

Nissan UK is at the forefront of automotive innovation, delivering high-quality, reliable vehicles equipped with cutting‑edge technologies and advanced safety features. They’re committed to accelerating the UK’s transition to electrified mobility, investing heavily in EV manufacturing and sustainable solutions. Dedication to precision craftsmanship and environmental responsibility reflects their vision for a cleaner, safer future.

Enabling real-time analysis of supply chain abnormalities and disruptions to support the management of returnable packaging flow.

Background

Managing returnable packaging across a large, complex supply chain involves processing vast volumes of operational data from multiple sources. Currently, this data is time-consuming to gather and difficult to interpret.

As a result, teams can end up spend more time reacting to problems than understanding their root causes, often taking short-term fixes that lead to longer-term inefficiencies. With dynamic packaging needs influenced by aspects such as buyer behaviour, having clear, timely insight into packaging flow abnormalities is critical to maintaining operational performance and avoiding downstream disruption.

Challenge description

Develop a digital tool that captures and consolidates relevant packaging data, enabling users to visualise, explore, and analyse the data in real time. The tool should help identify anomalies or disruptions across the returnable packaging flow, such as late returns, inconsistent usage, or unexpected bottlenecks. It should also support users in acting on root causes rather than simply reacting to symptoms.

The end goal is to reduce the time spent manually analysing data and improve the accuracy and speed of decisions relating to packaging movement, returns, and availability.

Key issues to address

• High volume of packaging and logistics data that is difficult to analyse quickly
• Complex packaging loops shared across multiple supply chain partners
• Dynamic and volatile packaging requirements driven by shifts in demand
• Lack of real-time visibility into packaging flow disruptions or abnormalities

Expected outcomes

• A functioning GUI that enables Nissan to explore and interpret packaging data in real time
• Ability to identify anomalies, and provide alerts to help user with further root cause analysis
• Integration of AI/ML encouraged where beneficial, but not required
• Delivery of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) by the end of the project (TRL TBC)

Challenge 2 in collaboration with Vantec

Predictive flow tool for inbound deliveries in collaboration with VANTEC

VANTEC are one of the top logistics solution providers in the automotive parts logistics field. Based on “The science of logistics”, they are continuously growing their global business and logistics services distributing in all over the world with the history of more than half-century. A leading company of Auto Parts Logistics, VANTEC provides high quality Supply Chain Solutions globally based on over 60 years logistics expertise.

Forecasting inbound goods flow to improve warehouse planning and operational efficiency

Background

Inbound logistics play a critical role in warehouse and production efficiency. Uncertainty around inbound deliveries, including arrival time, delivery format, and volume, creates bottlenecks and forces reactive decisions.

While standardised ASN (Advance Shipping Notice) data is increasingly being submitted by suppliers, this data is not yet fully utilised. There is an opportunity to use this existing data more efficiently and to provide warehouse teams with better insights to optimise planning.

Challenge description

Develop a digital solution that can use available data (such as ASNs) to predict the flow of inbound deliveries to Vantec’s warehouse operations. The tool should support operational planning, such as door slot scheduling, resource allocation, and storage space, by forecasting when goods will arrive and in what format.

The solution should be designed to work with varying data quality and formats and be compatible with Vantec’s existing systems, with potential scalability across the wider supply chain.

Key issues to address

• Lack of real-time visibility of inbound goods flow
• Operational inefficiencies due to fragmented or incomplete inbound data
• Underutilisation of ASN data for operational planning
• Difficulty scheduling aspects such as door slots due to unpredictable inbound timing and load formats

Expected outcomes

• Predictive insights that improve day-to-day warehouse scheduling and reduce operational friction
• Integration or interoperability with warehouse management and logistics systems used by Vantec and Nissan
• More effective use of ASN data to enable proactive rather than reactive inbound planning
• A solution that can accommodate variable data quality and scale to other supply chain partners

Challenge 3 in collaboration with Tréves

Visibility of return packaging shipments in collaboration with Trèves

Founded in 1836, Trèves is a recognised automotive supplier and specialist in automotive interiors and acoustic environment. It is an international group employing 4,600 people, with 27 factories across 15 countries.

With nearly two centuries of expertise, Trèves delivers innovative, high-quality solutions for vehicle comfort and performance, from acoustic insulation to interior trim, backed by strong R&D capabilities and a commitment to sustainable manufacturing.

Providing near real-time insight into what packaging is being returned from Nissan.

Background

In the automotive supply chain, reusable packaging plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth flow of parts to OEMs. For Trèves, limited visibility of packaging returns from Nissan makes it difficult to plan outbound shipments accurately and efficiently.

Currently, packaging information is not shared in a timely or structured way, leading to delays, holding of finished goods, or the need to produce or procure emergency packaging. This creates inefficiencies, increases costs, and reduces operational agility.

Challenge Description

Develop a digital tool or interface that enables Trèves to view and track packaging being shipped back from Nissan, improving the efficiency of the packaging supply and return loop. Ideally, this will include:

• When the packaging is being returned
• How much is being returned
• What type of packaging is being returned

The tool needs to integrate with Nissan’s Supply Chain Collaboration system and be accessible to Trèves and potentially other Supply Chain Partners. This will enable the supplier to have visibility of the inbound packaging, improve planning, avoid delays, and reduce waste.

Key issues the solution should address include:

• Lack of real-time information about packaging returns from Nissan
• Poor visibility of the quantity and type of packaging being returned
• Reliance on manual or fragmented data for packaging planning

Expected Outcomes

• Enable Trèves to proactively plan for outbound shipments
• Minimise production of emergency packaging and reduce holding times
• Improve efficiency in Trèves’ operations
• Develop a Minimum Viable Product by the end of the project

Benefits

• Funding – £100,000 in grant funding to develop a challenge focused MVP and supporting material within the timeframe of the project
• Industry partnerships – Build and expand relationships across key stakeholders within the UK’s automotive sector and North-East of England, working closely with the Nissan and its supply chain partners
• Technical mentorship – Access to Digital Catapult’s technical experts to support solution development and push the boundaries of the art-of-the-possible, including systems architecture, security, and integration advice
• Validation & visibility – Develop use cases to showcase the practical business benefits of the solution within supply chains and to promote adoption beyond the initial project scope
• Other benefits – Networking opportunities, peer-to-peer learning and the opportunity to pitch the solution at the accelerator showcase event in 2026

Key dates

Tuesday 2 September 2025 - Applications open

September 2025 - Q&A sessions
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Sunday 28 September 2025 - Applications close at 23:59

w/c Monday 20 October 2025 - Select applicant interviews take place

Friday 24 October 2025 - Intended notification of all successful applicants

Key information

Who should apply

• Applicants must be a UK based registered company, or prove they have an establishment in the UK and undertake the majority of their activity in the UK.
• Tech providers that focus on innovative digital solutions which can be applied to any of the above challenge areas
• Tech providers that specialise in supply chain logistic technology that can provide visibility, capture and/or solutions facing the supply and return loop
• Tech providers must have strong technical teams and appropriate knowledge and ability to build an MVP against the chosen challenge brief.
• Applicants who are eligible to receive up to £100,000 in Special Drawing Rights/De Minimis Aid

Evaluation criteria 

Applications will be assessed and scored equally against four criteria.

25% – Strength and originality of the idea
The applicant presents a well-developed, realistic idea that addresses the core challenge and operational need.
The proposal demonstrates originality, either in its technological approach, application, or integration within a supply chain context.
It shows a strong vision, clear aims, and alignment with the stated challenge objectives.  

25% – Project delivery and feasibility
The proposed solution is technically and operationally feasible within the 14-week delivery window and budget.
The applicant provides a clear, well-thought-out Product Roadmap, showing how the MVP will be developed, tested, and piloted.
The team demonstrates relevant domain expertise and delivery capability. The proposal includes consideration of delivery risks and outlines appropriate mitigation strategies. 

25% – Financial responsibility
The financial plan provides a clear breakdown of costs and demonstrates good value for money.
The proposal allocates funds appropriately between development, testing, and project management.
The co-investment is well-justified and proportionate to the scope of the work.  

25% – Growth potential
The proposal demonstrates strong potential for growth and scalability beyond the accelerator.
The proposed technology or approach delivers added value to the challenge owner and could extend to wider supply chain use cases.
The team articulates measurable post-programme goals and shows commitment to continued development and commercialisation.  

Drop-in Q&A sessions
If you have any questions relating to the accelerator, you speak to the Digital Catapult team directly by booking a call.
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How to apply and next steps

• Applicants must apply via the application form linked from this page.
• As part of the application, you will be asked to demonstrate that you meet the specific requirements for the Automotive Cluster Accelerator.
• Once you start your application you will have until 23:59 GMT on Sunday 28 September 2025 to submit your application. Once submitted you will not be able to make any edits.
• Should you require any assistance with the application you can reach out to dschopencalls@digicatapult.org.uk to explore the suitability of your idea for the challenges.

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