25th November 2024
Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm supports next generation of Scottish offshore wind innovators
Ten innovative companies targeting success in the offshore renewables market have secured a place in the inaugural Launch Academy Scotland programme – the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s industry-backed national technology accelerator programme, sponsored by Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm.
Each of the early-stage businesses presented their technology solutions in response to challenges set by Launch Academy Scotland’s industry sponsors. The successful companies – Airspection, AJT Engineering, Fathom Group, Fennex, Frontier Robotics, Innovair, Kraken Robotics, Revive Geoscience, Smarter Subsea (Handling) and Subworx – are developing innovative technologies capable of derisking and reducing costs for the wider offshore wind sector, helping to accelerate deployment of renewable energy and assisting the UK in meeting its ambitious renewable energy targets and net zero ambitions.
A team from Caledonia, being advanced by one of Scotland’s largest offshore wind developers, Ocean Winds, will engage and support the cohort of companies through their seven-month Launch Academy journey helping them to prepare for the pitch to investors with the aim of securing funding and a route to market.
Mark Baxter, Project Director of Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm, said: “Caledonia will be Ocean Winds’ third project in Scotland. We have committed £46 million of supply chain enabling investment and have a significant local content target of 60% to ensure long-term growth opportunities and skills development continue to thrive.
“We therefore have a vested interested in seeing the local supply chain succeed and to support initiatives like ORE Catapult’s Launch Academy which enable SMEs to contribute original innovations and skills at pace and at scale. We look forward to playing a part in the development and success of this cohort of Scottish businesses.”
Since 2020, through both national and regional programmes across the United Kingdom, Launch Academy has supported 57 companies which have gone on to raise £26.7m in private investment, £8.4m in grant funding and had 150 patents filed.
This Launch Academy Scotland cohort will enter an industry-focused technology development and business mentoring programme that provides wraparound support, designed to accelerate commercialisation of their products and services which target the UK and global offshore wind market.