Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has launched an accelerator programme in East Anglia focused on new products and services for the UK’s offshore renewables.
This is the first time ORE Catapult has run its Launch Academy in the East of England – a region that is one of the UK’s largest offshore renewable energy hubs.
The regional programme has been developed following the success of previous national and regional Launch Academy programmes that have supported 38 companies and raised over £22m of investment since 2019.
ORE Catapult innovation manager Imogen Stevenson said: “It’s fantastic to see the huge amount of talent and innovation emerging from the East of England, which could play a vital role in supporting the significant offshore wind industry in the region and beyond.”
Funding for the programme has been provided by ORE Catapult, leading offshore wind developer RWE, Norfolk County Council, Essex County Council and Suffolk County Council, with pro bono support provided by Marks & Clerk, Birketts and Lovewell Blake.
Exo Engineering in Norfolk is developing eco-reefs that provide underwater protection for offshore wind infrastructure such as turbine foundations, while supporting a variety of marine life, and is one of the companies chosen for the regional programme.
Exo Engineering managing director William Coulet said: “The Launch Academy East of England programme will inform us of sector specific requirements within the offshore renewables industry. We are raring to expand our team’s market knowledge and improve our offering.
“Our company places the customer at the centre of our solutions, therefore clearly understanding their perspective is pivotal.
“We aim to expand our business in the offshore renewables sector and Launch Academy will help us gain the traction we need to succeed.”
The programme will run from now until December 2023 and the companies will each receive support worth up to £25,000.