The Catapult has established international partnerships with leading research and technology organisations in countries with complementary technologies to access these markets.

Our first strategic partnership, between the Catapult and the Industrial Research Technology Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan, was established in October 2020. Celebrating the partnership, the UK Trade Minister, Rt Hon Greg Hands, launched the UK-Taiwan International Showcase for Compound Semiconductor Technology, to build long-term and supplier relationships between the UK and Taiwanese companies and researchers. 

The virtual signing also saw the Minister launch the UK-Taiwan International Showcase for Compound Semiconductor Technology with nine UK businesses pitching to a virtual audience of 200 potential collaborators and investors.

The Catapult - ITRI partnership will build long-term research and supplier relationships between the UK and Taiwanese companies and researchers.

Building A Bilateral Telecoms Ecosystem Between India And The UK

The CSA Catapult is working with industry and academic partners to deliver transformational change in future telecom networks, from the rollout of 5G to the longer-term opportunities in optical, quantum and satellite communications.

The Catapult supported the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), helping to build the case for a £250m investment in telecom diversification, which was announced in November 2020. In December 2021 CSA Catapult won two projects, with UK partners, to help deliver future radio access networks (RAN).

In 2021, we identified a substantial opportunity to develop bilateral collaborations with companies and academics in India through a Future Telecom Programme, which was launched by the Foreign Secretary, the DCMS Minister and the Head of International Cooperation at India’s Department for Science and Technology. The Programme builds on the India-UK 2030 roadmap, the MoU between India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and DCMS, and the Free Trade Agreement that is currently being negotiated.

The Catapult discussed the Future Telecom Programme with Government, industry and academia during delegations to New Delhi and Bangalore in 2022. These delegations demonstrated the value of the UK’s innovation ecosystem, and its ability to work collectively to translate disruptive technologies and innovation into commercial products and services. Specifically, we noted a strong desire to collaborate on topics from cyber security to electric vehicles, semiconductor supply chains, optical communications, security and satellite technologies.

CSA Catapult is now planning a reciprocal delegation, inviting officials and executives from India to meet UK Government, industry and academia. The Catapult is grateful to the Department for International Trade (DIT), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and UK Research and Innovation for their support.

  • Accessing international markets

    Our first international project involved Rolls Royce in the UK working with Ascatron, a supplier of SiC die in Sweden along with Durham University and UK based TT Electronics (Semelab), developing lightning protection for electric aircraft. 

    We have recently started a 2-year project called COMPASS (COMpact Phased Array Sensors and Systems) to develop a compact, lightweight, RADAR systems. COMPASS is an international collaboration between Saab AB, the end customer based in Sweden, UK based Microchip, and the Catapult.

    A third international project involves Vector Photonics, a spin-out from the University of Glasgow, the Catapult and QD Laser Inc, a Japanese epitaxy manufacturer. This project will develop high power solid-state lasers for 3D printing, replacing bulky CO2 lasers for a market that is forecast to be worth $10bn by 2025.

    Building on our recent success, the Catapult will develop further international collaborations to grow UK capability and support export opportunities.