A group of North East firms will take part in a seven-month accelerator programme that aims to create jobs and bring down costs in the offshore wind supply chain industry.
Eight businesses, seven of which are native to the North East, have joined the Launch Academy North East programme run by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult at Blyth.
Among those taking part are Hyserve Marine, Walker Subsea, Pharos Offshore, Three60 Mapping, PWG Connections, Pipeflex Systems, Seismic Space, and INEX Microtechnology.
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ORE says the accelerator will 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.
Alex Louden, ORE Catapult’s senior technology acceleration manager, 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.”
Wallsend's Three60 Mapping provides 3D digital surveying, mapping and modelling services. Paul Henzell, the firm's managing director 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.
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"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, the only firm from outside of the North East within the accelerator cohort, is a software company providing breakthrough solutions for the marine seismic survey industry.
Igor Novikov, the firm's founder, added: "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.
It is run 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.