Innovative Scottish companies can now apply to join the award-winning Launch Academy programme by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
The Launch Academy, an industry-backed tech accelerator, aims to support the commercialization of new technologies to strengthen the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, increasing local content while reducing costs.
Established in 2020, the Academy’s inaugural Scotland-wide programme will provide 10 early-stage firms with technology development support to help them commercialize products and services for the UK and global offshore wind markets.
Since its inception, the Academy has supported 57 companies, raised £26.7 million in private investment, secured £8.4 million in grant funding, and facilitated 150 patent filings through its national and regional programmes across the UK.
The Scottish Launch Academy is sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, global renewable energy developers BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership and Ocean Winds, as well as Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm. A panel of experts will select the 10 most promising solutions to join the Launch Academy Cohort.
Industry experts from the sponsoring organizations will mentor the cohort companies throughout their seven-month journey. At the end of the programme, the innovators will pitch their ideas to industry partners and ORE Catapult’s network of investors, aiming to secure investment and market entry for their products.
Applications open tomorrow, 19 July 2024, and close on 16 August 2024. A Launch Academy Scotland briefing webinar will be held on Monday, 29 July 2024.
Dr. Stephen Wyatt, director of strategy and emerging technologies at ORE Catapult, stated: “Our Launch Academy was established in 2020 to accelerate early-stage disruptive innovations addressing the challenges in the offshore renewables sector. I’m delighted we now have a dedicated programme for Scotland, closely linked to the biggest offshore wind projects in our waters.
“Scotland has built a reputation for excellence and expertise in the energy sector. We welcome the support of Scotland’s enterprise agencies, Inch Cape, BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership, and Ocean Winds as we launch this latest programme.
“Launch Academy Scotland will mentor 10 promising companies, providing them with technical and business growth support, industry insights, and market connectivity, positioning them to thrive in the UK offshore wind supply chain.”
Adam Swainbank, offshore wind supply chain specialist at Scottish Enterprise, added: “Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise are delighted to participate in this Scottish iteration of the UK’s flagship offshore wind technology accelerator programme – Launch Academy.
“This collaboration between Scotland’s three economic development agencies, ORE Catapult, and industry aims to address offshore wind challenges by accelerating, de-risking, and commercializing innovative technology from the Scottish supply chain. Our goal is to maximize local content while reducing costs and risks for offshore wind developers.”
