Challenge 04: Building Better
We’re looking for to London-based SMEs who are creating healthier futures through innovative technologies that tackle the city’s most urgent challenges. We want solutions that make London’s buildings better for everyone living and working in the capital.
Applications for the fourth FID Challenge are now closed.
Five Successful applicants will receive…
A bespoke programme
to support scale-up activities
Dedicated support to deliver a trial
at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Innovation District
£16,000 in grant funding
to enable trialling and scaling activities
Access to free co-working space
at Plexal innovation hub
Access to industry experts and partnerships
to support trial refinement, planning and implementation
Access to the Loop
Events and networks at East London’s hub for Circular Economy
Register for our application guidance webinar“The Future Industries Demonstrator was an amazing opportunity to develop our innovation, with some great facilities and expertise, and in a unique context.”
“We really enjoyed and benefited from the resources and funding that put our material into the real world, validating it with real data and connecting it to the current face of the construction industry.”
The Challenge
The buildings we live and work in have a significant impact on our health and wellbeing, yet many homes and workplaces across London face challenges like damp, poor ventilation, overheating, and energy inefficiency.
With nearly one in five UK homes affected by mould and hundreds of thousands experiencing fuel poverty, the risks are growing, especially as the climate warms.
Shifting work patterns and rising costs add further pressure. From residents to building managers, too many lack the tools or support to create healthier indoor environments. We need innovative solutions that empower people to build, adapt, and manage spaces that truly support health, comfort, and sustainability.
The Solutions
We are seeking approaches that address and combat these challenges, while prioritising health and wellbeing for everyone in London.
We are looking for London-based SMEs working towards impactful outcomes in some of the below areas:
- Improving indoor air quality.
- Delivering solutions for better thermal comfort and lower energy bills.
- Developing nature-based solutions that support healthier buildings.
- Advancing digital tools manage risks to occupant health.
- Empowering residents and building users.
- Providing methods to measure and demonstrate the real-world impact.
This list is not to be considered to be exhaustive.
Application Requirements
We are looking for impactful social and/or technological solutions that are beyond ideation, whether you’ve made early sales, run pilots, or engaged with your end-users. At minimum, to qualify you need to:
- Clearly articulate alignment with the theme question and problem statement as outlined above.
- Demonstrate that your solution is at least at a minimum viable product, and at a stage to be tested in pilot/trial. (TRL 4-6)
- Be a London-based, registered, small or medium sized enterprise (1-249 employees).
Explore past FID cohort case studies
MAD LEAP
Cohort 01
“FID provided us with trial support and introduced us to high-profile stakeholders. The insights were invaluable in our growth.”
Case Study
Material Index
Cohort 02
“The Programme enabled us to trial a new version of our product, which makes for a great case study to put in front of customers.”
Case Study
SAGES
Cohort 03
“We utilised the testbed to analyse, monitor & evaluate our food waste processing and the volume of waste available locally.”
