Network Rail | 28 April 2020

As part of their SME Action Plan, Network Rail are holding a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style event for SMEs. Given the current Covid-19 situation, the event will take place virtually, with the initiative aimed at raising awareness and generating interest across Network Rail. 

What is proposed
1.
2. A sifting process will be undertaken by NR to filter to a manageable number of supplier to discuss per meeting. The number of meetings shall be determined by the volume of good ideas/ pitches that NR receive.
3. A Microsoft Team (or similar) meeting shall be held by the Network Rail ‘dragons’ to discuss and reach agreement on the next steps. The supplier may be invited to join the Microsoft Teams meeting to respond to questions.
4. Suppliers will be informed by telephone of Network Rail’s decision:
        a. If the idea is not to be progressed, constructive feedback will be provided by telephone and/ or email.
        b. If the idea is of interest, a timescale will be set, by which the supplier will work with nominated Network Rail Manager(s) to develop the idea (e.g. within 12 weeks)
        c. Supplier would return to a subsequent ‘dragons den’ and re-pitch their idea (10 min set-up, 5 min pitch, 10 mins questions and answers) after which a final decision will be taken to either:
                1. Take no further action (‘fail fast’), or
                2. Take the idea further and agree next steps, including most appropriate ‘fast track’ innovative procurement route 
                5. Supplier informed of Network Rail’s overall decision (12 weeks maximum from initial Network Rail meeting when the pitch was heard/ discussed).

If any SME members are interested in participating, can you please submit a ‘digital’ pitch, via email, to Ken Blackley ([email protected]) in the first instance. There is no hard deadline as pitches will be considered on a rolling basis.  Pitches can cover infrastructure and rolling stock – the intention is not to restrict or limit ideas.

Note to Editors

The initiative is part of Network Rail’s SME Action Plan, which states: “NR could set-up a small team, gathered from around the business, to focus on promoting innovation (generally and at industry events). This same group could be made available to work with suppliers (SMEs) to help them navigate the wider Network Rail business to find the right points of contact to assist them and have a stand to take to take to industry events to take to suppliers about opportunities. 
Network Rail to review whether it is possible to make data records accessible such as sectional appendix, line diagrams etc. 

“Network Rail could develop a ‘Dragon’s Den’ approach, inviting suppliers (SMEs) to pitch ‘innovative ideas’ to a Network Rail panel, who would be able to grant some seed funding (£10k, £20k, £30k) for the purpose of developing or piloting the good ideas that have a positive business case.”