HIIdrogen NEXT
Accelerating UK Hydrogen Technology from Concept to Market
A national, two-tiered accelerator providing foundational business support to early-stage startups and technical and commercialisation support to growth-stage scale-ups — across the hydrogen value chain.
Our partners
Why HIIdrogen NEXT?
Building on the success of the previous HIIdrogen NEXT initiative, this programme marks a strategic evolution towards a highly focused, high-impact accelerator to de-risk and scale the UK’s most promising hydrogen technologies.
Running from October 2026 through March 2027, HIIdrogen NEXT transitions to a streamlined, two-tier framework supporting a select cohort of high-potential companies.
The Foundational tier is designed for early-stage hydrogen innovators with an on-demand business support platform, while our Growth tier combines tailored, hands-on commercialisation guidance from Sustainable Ventures with world-class technical validation from CPI. Both tiers also benefit from facilitated introductions to HII partners — a network of world-leading technology centres, research organisations and Catapults.
The HIIdrogen NEXT accelerator is delivered by Sustainable Ventures in partnership with HII, CPI and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
Together, we’re mobilising the UK hydrogen ecosystem by bridging early-stage innovators and growing SMEs with major public-sector stakeholders, top VC investors, and corporate offtakers — to help the UK's most promising hydrogen technologies move faster from concept to market.
Who should apply?
UK-based companies,
either pre-incorporation or incorporated.
Open to all hydrogen themes, regions, and enabling technologies.
Ready to start in October 2026 and conclude by March 2027.
Technically and commercially prepared companies.
Engaged, collaborative and coachable teams.
How is the programme broken down?
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Foundational Support 🚀
This tier is dedicated to early-stage innovators, whether incorporated, pre-incorporated, or pre-spinout — delivering essential startup support that fits around your schedule.
This support includes:\\ Tailored company diagnostic
1:1 startup health check and growth roadmap with the SV team
\\ On-Demand Platform
Access to learning modules
Business templates
Toolkits covering problem-solution fit, finance, fundraising, operations, and marketing
\\ Expert Virtual Workshops
Interactive sessions including: IP, regulatory navigation, startup finance, and a dedicated CPI technical workshop
\\ Community & Networks
Peer connectivity via a community platform
Spatial virtual networking sessions
Access to SV Partners and introductions
\\ Capstone Showcase Event
An invitation to attend our exclusive Capstone Showcase in London in front of 40-50 curated investors, corporate decision-makers and industry leaders
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Technical & Commercial Support 🔬
This tier is dedicated to growth-stage companies delivering bespoke 1:1 support packages delivered jointly by Sustainable Ventures and CPI — tailored to your business’s specific commercial and technical needs.
This support includes:
\\ SV Commercialisation PackagesUp to 10 days of commercial support including:
Business Mentoring
Brand & Marketing Review
Go-To-Market Strategy
Pitch Deck Review/Strategy
Market and Competitor Analysis
Organisational Structure & Recruitment Strategy
\\ CPI Technical Packages
Up to 15 days of technical support including:
Scale-up feasibility studies
Process validation
Technical roadmapping
Regulatory pathways advice
Supply chain resilience/logistics mapping
Pilot plant scoping assessments.
\\ Investor & Corporate Access
Introductions to SV’s network of climate-tech VCs and corporate customers to explore demos and pilots, where appropriate.
\\ Capstone Showcase Event
An invitation to present and showcase at our exclusive Capstone Showcase in London in front of 40-50 curated investors, corporate decision-makers and industry leaders
What you’ll get from the programme
\\ Bespoke CPI Technical Validation
Up to 15 days of technical support and feasibility testing from world-class facilities to de-risk your technology for investors and industrial customers.
\\ Sustainable Ventures Growth Expertise
Up to 10 days of direct guidance from Europe’s leading climate-tech accelerator and investor team to sharpen your commercial model, pitch, and go-to-market execution.
\\ Capital & Corporate Pathways
Facilitated introductions to VC investors, angel networks, corporate off-takers, and public sector clean energy actors like Great British Energy (GBE) — where appropriate.
\\ National Showcase Visibility
An invitation to present at our exclusive Capstone Showcase in London in front of 40–50 curated investors, corporate decision-makers, and industry leaders.
Key dates
14 Aug 2026
Applications
open
18 Sept 2026
Application deadline
02 Oct 2026
Selection Complete
05 Oct 2026
Programme
onboarding
28 Feb 2027
Programme
completion
18 Mar 2027
Capstone Showcase
**Virtual Workshops will be hosted across the delivery window between October 2026 and February 2027.
Outcomes to Expect
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A National Cohort of Innovators
Accelerating foundational startups and growth scale-ups across key hydrogen tech domains.
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De-Risked Commercial & Technical Roadmaps
Measurable technical progress (e.g. TRL steps or process validation) alongside validated go-to-market strategies.
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Qualified Corporate & Investor Traction
Targeted commercial discussions, corporate MoUs/LoIs, and direct referrals to SV's network of 200+ VCs.
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High-Impact Capstone Showcase
40–50 key stakeholders attending in London, generating pre-booked 1:1s and structured follow-ups for cohort companies.
FAQs
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Foundational Tier: Open to both pre-incorporated startups (such as pre-spinouts and researchers) and early-stage UK-incorporated companies. Previous companies involved in HIIdrogen NEXT and new applicants are eligible to apply.
Technical & Commercialisation Tier: Open to UK-incorporated SMEs across the hydrogen value chain. Previous companies involved in HIIdrogen NEXT and new applicants are eligible to apply.
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There is no fee to apply for or participate in the programme. However, if you are successful in applying for technical support from the CPI or other Catapult partners, you may be required to declare your Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) status under the Subsidy Control Act 2022.
Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) is a UK government subsidy control mechanism. It allows public authorities to provide small grants, loans, or business rates relief (up to £315,000 in total per enterprise over a rolling three-year period) without following the full subsidy control rules. Transparency rules apply to awards over £100,000. A guide is available here.
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You retain full ownership of your background and foreground IP.
Any collaborative technical projects with CPI will adhere to CPI's standard, founder-friendly collaboration terms. -
Yes.
Previous companies involved are welcome to apply for either the Foundational Support Package or the Technical & Commercialisation Support Package depending on their business needs. -
Yes.
Whilst high-performing graduates from previous HIIdrogen NEXT accelerator cohorts are invited to apply, the support package is also open to applications from high-potential innovators across the hydrogen value chain. -
The programme is delivered by Sustainable Ventures in partnership with CPI (Centre for Process Innovation) and aligned with the broader Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII) consortium of partners.
Sustainable Ventures leads on programme management and delivery of commercialisation support, while CPI and HII deliver bespoke technical validation and scale-up support.
