Welcome to the Thames Freeport Connectivity Lab

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Innovate with Thames Freeport

The Thames Freeport (TFP) is a geographical area in the United Kingdom which includes the ports of Tilbury and DP World London Gateway, as well as Ford Motor Company’s Dagenham plant. This area has been designated as a Freeport tax site by the British government on December 15, 2021.

As a designated special economic zone, TFP will benefit from tax reliefs and simplified customs procedures. This government support aims at boosting trade, investment, and job creation in regions across the country that need it the most. The Thames Freeport is expected to draw £4.5 billion of new investment and create 21,000 skilled jobs.

Thames Freeport is a revolutionary venture and a unique, transformative initiative that represents London’s most significant opportunity in a generation. With its newly implemented 5G infrastructure by Verizon, Thames Freeport is poised to maintain its reputation as a pioneer by continuing to push boundaries and uncover the next breakthrough in connectivity and beyond.

Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab is an unparalleled opportunity for innovative suppliers to collaborate directly with key industry partners across the Freeport: DP World London Gateway, Port of Tilbury, and Ford Motor Company Dagenham. Through the Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab, you can leverage advanced wireless connectivity to test and implement solutions that will drive real-world value and shape the future of the Freeport.

What is an Innovation Lab?

Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab is an initiative designed to foster collaboration between Thames Freeport, its key partners (DP World London Gateway, Port of Tilbury, and Ford Motor Company Dagenham), and innovative suppliers. While each partner operates independently, Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab is a joint effort across the Freeport and its key partners to ensure that the latest innovations are seamlessly integrated across their sites. The programme enables Thames Freeport to drive innovation both within its operations and throughout the global business community and marks a pivotal step forward in Thames Freeport’s ongoing innovation journey.

This 10-week immersive programme offers you the chance to embed yourself in the Freeport ecosystem. You will have the opportunity to work directly with at least one of the key partners, learn from their senior executives, gain insights from a potential future client, and test your innovative ideas in a real-world environment within the Freeport.

Find out more below or head directly to our application portal.

Apply Here!

Key focus areas

Thames Freeport is a leading economic zone, attracting significant investment and engaging numerous businesses and stakeholders each season.

Across the Freeport, we manage complex logistics, deliver essential services, and support community outreach programmes. With this breadth of operations, we have numerous and varied opportunities for you to collaborate with us.

Tracking & Monitoring

This category encompasses the common challenges faced by our key partners in locating and monitoring their vast array of assets. The solutions we seek include:

Real-time tracking of assets such as containers, trailers, and tools.
Digital twin platforms to visualise and optimise yard and traffic operations.
Smart yard systems to streamline movements and increase efficiency.
AI-based route optimisation with traffic flow management.
Automated traffic monitoring with real-time alerts and driver signage.
Environmental sensors to track emissions and site-wide energy use.

Maintenance & Efficiency

This category focuses on reducing downtime, making better maintenance decisions, and supporting the workforce with smarter tools and training. The solutions we seek include:

Improved asset reliability through condition-based or predictive maintenance tools.
Detecting equipment issues early, including hard-to-reach assets like cranes or straddle carriers.
Using AI or machine learning to analyse maintenance data and highlight potential risks.
Support smarter task allocation by tracking technician location and availability in real time.
Enhanced workforce training using VR/AR simulations for high-risk tasks.
Automated inspections to detect product or vehicle defects quickly and accurately.
Automated and digitised site maintenance with tools like climbing robots, drones or sensor kits for remote fault detection.

Health, Safety & Security

This category focuses on making port and industrial operations safer and more secure by using smart technologies to reduce risk, improve visibility, and support real-time response. The solutions we seek include:

Enhanced site safety with AI-powered video analytics, smart wearables, or sensors that flag unsafe behaviours in real time.
Improved visibility in hazardous zones using portable or fixed 5G-enabled camera systems.
Detect and respond to perimeter breaches with sensor fusion (e.g. cameras, vibration sensors, access triggers).
Streamlined site access with advanced entry control like ANPR, smart gates, or biometric scanners.
Active monitoring of road and yard conditions with dynamic warnings with automated signage systems.
Unify safety systems with platforms that integrate personnel tracking, vehicle data, and surveillance feeds.

Wildcard

The Wildcard category is for innovative solutions that do not fit into the other categories but have the potential to create tangible operational value for the Freeport. Whether it’s an unexpected breakthrough, a novel application of existing capabilities, or a disruptive idea with practical impact, this is the space for forward-thinking concepts that can drive real-world value.

Apply Here!

How the programme works

If you believe your solution aligns with our focus areas, we encourage you to apply for a place on the programme. Our Innovation Lab is delivered in partnership with L Marks, whose proven and rigorously tested methodology helps corporate partners unlock the power of collaboration. Through expert guidance and structured programmes, we accelerate the development of transformative solutions that improve efficiency, foster innovation, and keep our partners ahead in competitive markets.

Stage 1 – Identify Challenges.

Thames Freeport collaborates with L Marks to pinpoint critical problem areas and shape innovation priorities and programme themes for the Lab.

Stage 2 – Scout Global Suppliers.

Suppliers that offer innovative solutions to the identified challenges are scouted and actively encouraged to apply to the programme by L Marks scouts.

Stage 3 – Accelerate Solutions.

Selected suppliers are invited to Pitch Day to win a chance at earning a spot in the 10-week solution validation sprint (we’re calling this Lab Live). During this time, they will work closely with Thames Freeport and their partners to pilot solutions and form lasting partnerships.

Stage 4 – Achieve Results. Deploy.

The programme concludes with a celebratory Demo Day, where suppliers present their achievements and insights from the Lab, showcasing the value of their solutions.

Apply Here!

*L Marks may contact you for additional details before your application is reviewed by the programme committee.

TIMELINE

Here are the key dates of the programme (all dates are subject to change):

Applications open

1st September 2025

Applications Close

12th October 2025

Pitch
Day

w/c 24th November 2025

Lab Live

w/c 12th January 2025

Demo Day

w/c 23rd March 2026

Why partner with Thames Freeport?

Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab is designed to help you scale your solution by guiding you in selecting a specific use case, receiving personalised mentorship from experienced stakeholders, and showcasing the value of your solution to Thames Freeport and its key partners.

This mentorship is specifically tailored to address the unique needs of your business, ensuring you receive the necessary support to succeed. This will be delivered as part of a 10-week immersive Lab Live stage.

The programme is divided into four key stages: application, pitch day, programme participation, and demo day. Throughout these phases, you will have the chance to connect with various key partners in Thames Freeport and gain valuable insights from their extensive experience within the Freeport and its operations. This is a unique opportunity to work together with Thames Freeport partners and deploy your solution in a real-world environment.

Our ultimate goal is to build a lasting partnership that extends beyond the programme, fostering innovation and creating long-term change across the Freeport ecosystem.

Our mentors

Our programme proudly features the involvement of key Thames Freeport partners, who represent the diversity of operations across DP World London Gateway, Port of Tilbury, and Ford Motor Company Dagenham.

The participating key partners will provide mentorship to guide the trials, offering their expertise and valuable insights into the Freeport industry to ensure meaningful outcomes.

Thames Freeport’s partner L Marks

L Marks is a leading global innovation specialist which has created over 100 programmes with its partners across the globe. Founded in 2014, L Marks has developed and delivered results-driven corporate innovation solutions, trusted by world-leading brands including BMW, Lloyd’s of London and Sodexo. Through their award-winning Innovation Labs, L Marks’ partners have worked with over 450 suppliers with a successful deployment rate of over 78%.

The L Marks New Ventures unit supports its clients to create and develop new revenue-generating businesses through its Venture Studio and transform their corporate culture within their Intra-Lab. L Marks has expanded its advisory support through their recent acquisition of The Inovo Group, a US-based innovation consultancy with over 20 years of expertise in implementing scientific research and analytics to guide organisations to succeed at strategic innovation.

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FAQs

Applying

Is my business right for Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab

Through Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab, we support companies to take their business to the next level through collaboration with our organisation. We are interested in all suppliers that can help us, in one or more of the categories described, especially those who can leverage the newly implemented 5G infrastructure or provide ready-to-go solutions that return rapid value to the key partners. Your company does not need to be at the very beginning of its journey – if you feel that your business could benefit from working with us then we’d love to receive your application.

What’s the deadline for applying?

The deadline is the 12th October 2025 11:59 pm. All applications must be made online through the L Marks portal.

Is there a minimum age?

You must be at least 18 years old to enter Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab.

I don’t live in the UK, can I apply?

Of course! The best innovators can come from anywhere. We utilise virtual collaboration tools such as MS Teams as much as possible during programme live to reduce travel. However, please bear in mind that you may need a visa to participate in the programme and that you will be required to travel to the UK at key points throughout the programme, namely for Pitch Day, Demo Day, and any required site visits.

Participating

Is Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab like other innovation programmes?

We believe we are different. We’ll provide your business with opportunities to:

Trial your product directly with select Thames Freeport key partners.
Receive guidance and mentorship from senior executives at the key partners you’re working with.
Gain valuable knowledge and insights from potential future clients across Thames Freeport.

What is the process?

The programme has 4 key stages:

Applications
Pitch Day
Lab Live
Demo Day

See our timeline for more information.

When is Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab running?

Programme Live is scheduled to start week commencing 12th January 2026, with Demo Day taking place the week commencing 23rd March 2026.

Where is Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab held?

The programme is flexible and will be conducted primarily online. However, in some instances, physical spaces may be offered within the Thames Freeport area depending on each participating Freeport partner’s wants and needs.

While the day-to-day activities will be held remotely, both Pitch Day and Demo Day will be in-person in the UK, providing a great opportunity to network and build relationships with key programme stakeholders, board members, and the wider Thames Freeport group.

What does the day-to-day look like on Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab

The programme is designed to help you develop your solution, starting with deciding on a specific use case, receiving essential guidance from your mentors, and demonstrating the value of your solution to Thames Freeport and the key partners that you will work with. Each participant’s experience on the programme will be unique – we tailor the programmes to meet your business’s specific needs.

Where will the mentors come from?

Mentors will include senior executives from the three involved Thames Freeport partners: DP World London Gateway, Fourth Ports Port of Tilbury, and Ford Motor Sport Dagenham. It is likely that those participating in the programme will work closely with one of the Freeport partners.

Are you offering any travel support or assistance?

We will not be covering travel expenses to participate in programme-related activities. However, if you have a specific request, it can be raised at the start of the programme.

Will I need to disclose confidential information about my business?

If you are invited to join Thames Freeport: Connectivity Lab, we will ask you to sign a participation agreement that includes a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA) – this means that we’ll keep your information confidential, and you’ll need to do the same for us. This will ensure we can work together productively on the programme. However, when you’re applying to join, neither party will be under NDA, so please only share with us information about your product or business that you consider in the public domain.

Are you asking for exclusivity?

No, we’re not asking you to sign an exclusivity agreement during the programme, but we may ask for exclusivity in the UK or from our competitors if we move into a commercial relationship post-programme.

We want to build a relationship based on trust and, if we like each other, we hope that you’ll see us as the first port of call when you need feedback on your new products. Please be aware that we will ask you to sign a mutual non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which you will need to adhere to, even when working with other parties.

Will Thames Freeport or L Marks invest in the companies that join the programme?

Thames Freeport and L Marks will decide if we want to invest in any of the suppliers at the end of the programme.

Do I need to give away equity to participate?

No, we do not ask for equity for participating in this programme. However, we may ask you to keep us notified about future funding.

How many suppliers will be chosen for the lab?

We will aim to select approximately six suppliers to join the programme.

Do I have to relocate to participate?

No, you will not have to relocate for the programme. However, we do require onsite attendance for several key dates. We can discuss your company’s needs and the partnering resources of Thames Freeport and its key partners one-on-one to see what would work best during the programme timeframe. It is also worth highlighting in your applications if you are interested in relocating to or opening operations in the Thames Freeport region.

Who is L Marks? What is their role in the innovation programme?

L Marks is a leading global innovation specialist which has created over 100 programmes with its partners in Europe, Asia, and North America. Founded in 2014 with a presence in the UK and the US, L Marks has developed and delivered results-driven corporate innovation solutions, trusted by world-leading brands including BMW, Lloyd’s of London, and Sodexo.

Through their award-winning Innovation Labs, L Marks’ partners have worked with over 450 start-ups with a successful deployment rate of over 78%.

The L Marks New Ventures unit supports its clients to create and develop new revenue-generating businesses through its Venture Studio and transform their corporate culture within their Intra-Lab.

Building on its experience in innovation delivery, L Marks has expanded its advisory support through their recent acquisition of The Inovo Group, a US-based innovation consultancy with over 20 years of expertise in implementing scientific research and advanced analytics to guide organisations to succeed at strategic innovation.

Who can I contact for questions regarding the programme or the application form?

Please send your queries to scouting@lmarks.com, and we will be happy to assist you.