RedCAT Network draws record attendance as momentum builds around low carbon innovation
May saw the return of the RedCAT Network to the RedCAT Centre in East Lancashire. This was the Network with the highest attendance so far, bringing together nearly 70 businesses, investors and business support organisations. It is fantastic to see this community of proactive, committed and sustainable businesses grow.
“This is the most productive networking event I’ve ever been to.”
– John Dickinson, Advanced HydroCarbon Fuels Limited
Strategic opportunities for the RedCAT Network members
We started by hearing from Professor Miranda Barker OBE who outlined the opportunities available to RedCAT Network members, such as a roundtable with GB Energy, COP 30, meeting local ministers and speaking to the National Wealth Fund. Miranda ran through the twenty RedCAT ecosystem events since 2024 and into 2025. Finally, reminding new network members of what we do at RedCAT, explaining the process of Innovation, Ventures, Scale and Advocacy.
RedCAT is not just a networking event, we specialise in the commercialisation of innovative low carbon tech, our job is not done until we’ve helped you put your innovation on the shelf!
Addressing barriers to commercialisation
The key focus for this quarter’s RedCAT Network was to gather evidence for RedCAT’s report to Ed Miliband: “Unlocking the opportunities of low carbon technologies in the UK – removing the barriers to commercialisation”. Network members had a chance to comment on our five recommendations to government to remove barriers to commercialisation. Businesses commented on the funding gaps that occur at particular stages of the innovation and commercialisation journey, as well as the lack of micro grants now available for start-up businesses.
Here’s what one of our participants had to say:
Mark Boland from LiNA Energy told the RedCAT Network,
“…in terms of what was holding our business back, I think an important factor was our combination of manufacturing risk and tech risk – it seems this is too much risk for a lot of UK investment. And so, we have accepted foreign investment.
Miranda and Ian (from RedCAT) helped us to obtain a grant – which although relatively modest, importantly and unlike most government grants, could be spent on CapEx. That let us trial pilot-scale equipment, confirming that the unique LiNa manufacturing processes we’ve developed are compatible with off-the-shelf equipment, a big step in establishing the viability of high-volume mass production of our cells.
So, I would like to put our thanks to RedCAT on record because the risk they took in giving LiNa a grant enabled us to complete the design of our pilot production line, which will become operational in June and has already delivered commercial benefits.”
Investors also had a chance to comment on the Venture Capital funding environment, discussing the difficulty of investing in slow, capital heavy verticals such as Climate Tech.
Backing for all forms of green-tech…
To wrap up, we heard from each of the Climate Tech innovators in the room, asking them: “What’s holding your business back?” This provided a valuable snapshot of how Lancashire’s low-carbon economy is faring in Q2 2025. Business were able to highlight their supply chain issues, what sort of investment they are currently looking for and their plans for the future.
A cross-sector community driving change
The RedCAT Network brings together:
Green Tech & Climate Tech innovators, inventors, designers, manufacturers, and installers
Venture capitalists, angel investors, and impact funders
Local government, academia, and nonprofit support
Don’t miss the next RedCAT Network event:
Tuesday 21st October 2025
10:30 AM – 2:00 PM
RedCAT Centre, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
Tickets go fast — book early to secure your spot and avoid missing out on the most productive climate tech networking event in the North of England.
Book your tickets now by clicking the link.
Or visit our Events page to explore other opportunities within the RedCAT ecosystem.
