HS2 is now positioning the latest round of its Innovation Accelerator as a contributor to that process. The scheme’s backers say previous rounds have generated cost savings for HS2, created jobs and channelled investment into small and medium‑sized companies. According to HS2, 37 firms have taken part in earlier cohorts, securing 31 pilot projects and delivering more than £50M in cost savings. A 12‑firm shortlist will be reduced to six winners, who will receive support to develop demonstrations into trial projects with HS2. If successful, the pilot projects could be scaled across parts of the programme to deliver measurable productivity improvements or safety gains.