Functions at the moment are open for progressive corporations primarily based in Scotland to affix the Offshore Renewable Power (ORE) Catapult’s award-winning Launch Academy programme. Launch Academy is an industry-backed know-how accelerator programme designed to help the commercialisation of new applied sciences that may improve the UK’s offshore wind provide chain, enabling better native content material whereas supporting price discount.
The distinguished Launch Academy was established in 2020, and this would be the inaugural Scotland-wide programme which is able to present 10 early-stage companies with know-how growth and enterprise development help to assist them to speed up the commercialisation of services concentrating on the UK and international offshore wind markets.
Since 2020, Launch Academy has supported 57 corporations, raised £26.7m in personal funding, £8.4m in grant funding and had 150 patents filed by way of each the nationwide and regional Launch Academy programmes throughout the UK.
Launch Academy Scotland is sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, international renewable power builders BlueFloat Power | Nadara Partnership and Ocean Winds, in addition to Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm. The 10 most promising options might be chosen by a panel of specialists to affix the Launch Academy Scotland cohort.
Trade specialists from the sponsoring organisations will interact and help the cohort corporations all through their seven-month Launch Academy journey. On the finish of the programme, the innovators will pitch to {industry} companions and ORE Catapult’s community of buyers with the purpose of securing funding and a path to marketplace for their merchandise.
Dr Stephen Wyatt, Director of Technique and Rising Applied sciences at ORE Catapult, stated: “Our Launch Academy was established in 2020 to speed up early stage disruptive improvements which may deal with the challenges going through the offshore renewables sector. I’m delighted that we now have this devoted programme for Scotland linking so intently to the most important offshore wind tasks in our waters.
“Scotland has cast an enviable repute for excellence and specialist experience throughout the power sector and we’re delighted to welcome the help of Scotland’s enterprise companies, Inch Cape, BlueFloat Power | Nadara Partnership, and Ocean Winds as we launch this newest programme. Launch Academy Scotland will mentor 10 promising corporations, offering them with technical and enterprise development help, in addition to {industry} insights and market connectivity, positioning them to thrive within the UK offshore wind provide chain.”
Shane Macken, Inch Cape’s Innovation Champion and Interface Supervisor stated: “Inch Cape is a showcase for quite a few progressive applied sciences and functions, from the UK’s largest AC offshore transformer and use of Vestas’ 15MW generators to the set up of 110m lengthy XXL monopile foundations.
“Nevertheless we nonetheless see large potential for innovation, not only for our undertaking however for the broader offshore wind {industry}, with Scotland on the forefront of that potential due to its power heritage mixed with future growth pipeline. Because of this we’re devoted in our help of the inaugural Launch Academy Scotland in partnership with innovation-drivers ORE Catapult.”
David Robertson, Portfolio Director (Scotland), BlueFloat Power | Nadara Partnership stated: “We’re delighted to sponsor the primary ever Scottish cohort of ORE Catapult’s profitable Launch Academy programme. With a pipeline of over 3 GW of floating offshore wind in Scottish waters, we recognise the significance of stimulating innovation by way of our undertaking designs and SMEs primarily based in Scotland are well-positioned to assist with this due to our wealthy historical past of innovation and invention. We look ahead to working with profitable candidates to sort out among the technical challenges the {industry} is going through, in a bid to speed up supply and enhance effectivity.”
Mark Baxter, Caledonia Venture Director, stated: “Ocean Winds is proud to sponsor the ORE Catapult Launch Academy programme, shaping Scotland’s power future. Our Moray Firth tasks have showcased the distinctive expertise inside Scotland’s provide chain, and this initiative represents a major funding in each provide chain and innovation.
“Funding for the Launch Academy has been dedicated by Caledonia – a 2GW offshore wind farm that might be Ocean Winds’ third within the Moray Firth. Caledonia is eager to see Scottish corporations and innovators focussed on decarbonisation and manufacturing excellence, furthering the event, development and operation of offshore wind, and accelerating Scotland’s inexperienced power transition.
“Caledonia is dedicated to spend £46m in early help for the UK provide chain and can result in potential funding of £3.5bn within the UK throughout all its levels. Ocean Winds has confirmed its dedication to provide chain growth by way of its current tasks within the Moray Firth, and Caledonia – throughout its growth lifecycle and thru help for initiatives just like the Launch Academy – will additional improve alternatives for development.”
Adam Swainbank – Offshore Wind Provide Chain Specialist – Scottish Enterprise stated: “Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise are delighted to participate on this Scottish iteration of the UK flagship offshore wind know-how accelerator programme – Launch Academy. This can be a nice instance of the three financial growth companies in Scotland working in collaboration with ORE Catapult and {industry} to handle the offshore wind challenges earlier than us, serving to accelerating, de-risk and commercialise progressive know-how from the Scottish provide chain with a purpose of making certain we maximise native content material and decreasing prices and dangers for offshore wind builders.”
Functions are open from tomorrow, 19 July 2024 and might be submitted till the closing deadline of 16 August 2024.
A Launch Academy Scotland briefing webinar will happen on Monday 29 July, 2024. Click on right here for extra data and to enroll.
