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Smart Tank injects the excitement of the start-up environment onto the expo floor, where exhibitors in Innovation Alley will pitch their ideas to a live audience and a panel of expert judges. On the 4th of June, start-ups and university spin-offs will step onto the stage to introduce their products, services and next big ideas. But with a strict time limit of five minutes for their presentation and an additional five minutes to respond to questions from the judging panel this is certainly not a ‘death by PowerPoint’ snooze festival.
Designed to be fast-paced, engaging, and filled with innovative ideas, Smart Tank offers emerging companies an opportunity to present their vision directly to investors, academics, industry influencers, the media and the audience (visitors to Smart Manufacturing Week). Judges for 2025 include Asif Boda, EPIC Investment Partners' Managing Director and Richard Tarvin, Innovation Lead at Made Smarter Innovation and an innovation and investment consultant for the UK Government and European Commission, with more judges to be revealed in the upcoming weeks.
Among the contestants in the Tank is Transform IOT Services, showcasing Air Alert, its cutting-edge air quality monitoring system designed to combat unseen airborne pollutants. KFactory is entering the Tank with a bold assertion of revolutionising manufacturing through the integration of IoT, AI agents, and operational process management, while Uie will illustrate how its innovative monitoring technologies can enhance asset performance.
Additionally, iMaintain is presenting a mobile-centric, AI-powered maintenance solution that claims to address the skills gap and provide real-time insights. Exine Technology is elevating traceability and compliance systems with tailor-made software and electronic hardware. Meanwhile, FactoryPulse is simplifying digital transformation for SMEs through user-friendly, customisable tools, without the expense or complexity of traditional systems.
Each pitch not only offers a sneak peek into the future of manufacturing but also serves as a potential avenue for partnerships, funding and expansion. While only one company will win the title, all Smart Tank participants gain invaluable feedback and exposure that could propel a promising start-up into the next big industrial success story.
Smart Tank’s winner will walk away with a prize package designed to supercharge their growth. Alongside a complimentary exhibitor space at next year’s event, the winner will gain access to a mentor, direct introductions to investors, coverage from the press and free online advertising with both Smart Manufacturing Week and The Manufacturer. Their story won’t end on stage, they will be featured in an exclusive interview with The Manufacturer, with a write-up published in the post-event magazine.
Smart Tank is supported by Innovate UK, whose involvement underscores the competition’s role in accelerating transformative ideas in the manufacturing sector. Innovate UK will also host a stand in Innovation Alley, offering attendees the chance to connect directly and learn more about their mission to support companies to grow.
With more participants still to be announced, Grace Gilling, Event Director of Smart Manufacturing Week, said, "Smart Tank infuses a dynamic, competitive spirit onto the exhibition floor. It's where innovation meets opportunity, where ideas are stress-tested in real time, and where the most ground-breaking innovations receive the recognition, and potentially the investment, they deserve."
Smart Manufacturing Week will be held at the NEC Birmingham on June 4th-5th, 2025. For more information or to register for free attendance at Smart Manufacturing Week, please visit https://www.smartmanufacturingweek.com
There are separately run exhibitions taking place at the same time at the NEC including Automechanika by Messe Frankfurt; Med-Tech Innovation Expo and TCT 3Sixty by Rapid News Group; and Subcon by the Mark Allen Group. A single visitor badge grants access to all these events.