ORE Catapult’s flagship technology accelerator programme has opened for applications from new companies pursuing offshore wind success.
The national Launch Academy supports early-stage companies as they progress into the UK’s offshore wind supply chain and is now an industry recognised programme.
To date, the scheme has supported 47 companies, raised £22.6m in private investment, £6.5m in grant funding and had 48 patents filed through both the national and regional Launch Academy programmes across the UK since 2020.
The 2024 project will be sponsored by offshore wind industry giants RWE, BP and ScottishPower Renewables.
The sponsors set challenges pertinent to the offshore wind industry to select 10 companies for the programme.
Successful companies benefit from engaging with these industry experts throughout the nine-month Launch Academy journey.
Director of strategy and emerging technologies at ORE Catapult Stephen Wyatt said: “Launch Academy has successfully supported businesses across the whole of the UK on their journey towards success in the offshore wind supply chain, and the programme continues to go from strength to strength.
“This year, ORE Catapult is offering increased levels of technical support alongside our business growth modules, and I am delighted to welcome RWE, BP and Scottish Power Renewables as industry sponsors for Launch Academy 2024 – providing strong industry insight and market connectivity for successful applicants.”
The companies chosen for Launch Academy will be aiming to commercialise new products or services specifically for the offshore wind market, with support from the programme sponsors.
Companies have until the deadline of Wednesday 8 December to apply.
More information on the programme will be available at a Launch Academy 2024 Briefing Webinar on Friday 10 November.