Companies wanting to break into the offshore wind industry can apply to an award-winning technology acceleration programme based in the East of England for the first time.
Launch Academy East of England, run by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, opens today and runs until 28 April, for expressions of interest from companies across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, pioneering new products and services for the UK’s offshore renewable energy sector.
Funding for the programme has been provided by ORE Catapult, RWE, Norfolk County Council, Essex County Council and Suffolk County Council, with pro bono support provided by Marks & Clerk, Birketts and Lovewell Blake.
Stephen Wyatt, Director of Strategy and Emerging Technologies at ORE Catapult, said: “It is fantastic to be launching a Launch Academy programme in the East of England for the first time – a region where offshore renewable energy has really taken off and continues to grow.
“Launch Academy is the only technology accelerator dedicated to offshore wind early-stage companies that allows us to provide highly focused support for leading innovators in the UK supply chain.
“I’m delighted that RWE have joined as industry sponsors who will provide great value to all the companies in the programme, and for the support of the local councils as we seek to grow local companies.”
Danielle Lane, Director of Offshore Development UK and Ireland at RWE, said: “East of England is a key region for RWE and as such we are delighted to support this first ORE Catapult Launch Academy for Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.
“With interests in four local operational offshore wind projects and two in the development pipeline, RWE is keen to play a role in ensuring local companies and suppliers have the opportunity to bring forward innovative solutions, technologies and concepts that could potentially benefit the wider offshore wind sector.”
Nine companies will be chosen for the seven-month programme that will include bespoke support modules, delivered by ORE Catapult and expert partners. These include legal, marketing, export, accountancy, intellectual property (IP), investor readiness, technology assessment, and business case reviews – worth around £25,000 per company.
At the end of the programme, companies will also have the chance to pitch to ORE Catapult’s network of private investors.
The regional programme will run from June to December 2023 and has been developed following the success of previous national and regional cohorts that have supported companies to raise over £15m of investment since 2019.