Eight UK companies have secured a spot in ORE Catapult’s cleantech offshore renewables accelerator programme for the north east of England.
Joining Launch Academy North East will be Hyserve Marine, Walker Subsea, Pharos Offshore, Three60 Mapping, PWG Connections, Pipeflex Systems, Seismic Space, and INEX Microtechnology.
They all took part in the programme’s debut event today at ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth.
Launch Academy North East is expected to provide the companies with industry-guided support and mentoring, to enhance the region’s offshore wind supply chain, drive cost reduction and create jobs through innovation.
ORE Catapult senior technology acceleration manager Alex Louden said: “ORE Catapult is delighted to welcome these eight companies into Launch Academy North East.
“The next seven months will be a hugely exciting time for this cohort as we work with them to break down barriers to commercialising the products and services they are developing.
“The diversity of technologies and cohort quality really showcase the strength in depth, and innovativeness of companies in the North of Tyne Combined Authority region.”
Three60 Mapping uses innovative techniques to transform surveying for a digitally centred world.
Its managing director Paul Henzell said: “360 are honoured to be selected to be part of the Launch Academy NE programme.
“It comes at an exciting time for the offshore renewable energy sector in Tyneside.
“With the knowledge and direction gained from the programme we will be able to strategically align our business to capitalise on the many opportunities present within the sector.”
Seismic Space is a software company providing breakthrough solutions for the marine seismic survey industry.
Founder Igor Novikov said: “Despite numerous innovations being brought to live on daily basis, the gap between research and real-life application is impassable due to the entanglement of various factors such as funding, outreach and access to testing facilities.
“The Launch Academy can help with all of the above, but most importantly it houses a team of experts who not only acknowledge the various top of the line solutions, but also provide SMEs with guidance, based on experience in the field, coupled with the success of other start-ups that have already been launched by the Catapult.
“We are extremely grateful to the team at ORE Catapult for bringing concepts from paper to everyone’s home in the form of clean renewable energy.”
The Launch Academy programme will run from June 2022 to January 2023 and includes industry-led modules on funding, investment, technology assessment and supply chain opportunities.
The Launch Academy North East programme is piloted by ORE Catapult, with funding provided by North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) through the Technology Innovation and Green Growth for Offshore Renewables (TIGGOR) programme.