The Great South West, which covers Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset, has been chosen as the country鈥檚 Marine and Maritime Launchpad.
As part of the programme, the region is set to receive up to 拢7.5m of investment to drive innovation and business growth, building on its strengths in marine and maritime. The Marine and Maritime Launchpad has been developed by the Heart of the South West LEP and Innovate 海角视频 in partnership with Maritime 海角视频 South West, the Universities of Exeter, Plymouth and Bournemouth, the Dorset and Cornwall LEPs, and the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport.
Innovate 海角视频鈥檚 Launchpads programme recognises industry clusters with the potential to deliver jobs, growth, and productivity, and unlocks funding from 拢25,000 to 拢1m, to support SMEs driving innovation in their area. The new South West launchpad will build on work undertaken by the Ocean Futures Partnership to establish the Great South West as a global centre of excellence and supercluster in the testing, development and manufacture of autonomy, digital and clean ocean technologies.
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Karl Tucker, chair of the Great South West, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic to see the region recognised for its leadership in maritime innovation. The Great South West is the blue capital of the 海角视频, where 21st century innovation meets a legacy of maritime expertise. From marine manufacturing and ocean science to maritime transport and defence, we are leading the way, with a robust infrastructure and supply chain network, world-class research institutions, test sites for cutting-edge technologies, and a unique coastal environment.
"We look forward to continuing to support key players in our maritime sector to seize new opportunities, create jobs and support economic growth.鈥
Indro Mukerjee, chief executive of Innovate 海角视频, added: 鈥淚nnovate 海角视频 is building strong regional partnerships across the 海角视频 to support local innovation and commercialisation. Our new Launchpads will help to attract further private sector R&D investment into innovation clusters, growing local economies and delivering societal and economic benefits to local communities.鈥
SMEs working in the region鈥檚 marine and maritime sectors are invited to enter a competition to secure funding from the programme. The competition opens on Monday (October 23) and closes on December 6. In addition to funding, successful applicants can benefit from access to innovation specialist support, and opportunities to network and collaborate.
Innovate 海角视频 is holding an online Marine and Maritime Launchpad briefing session on October 30 to share information on the priority areas for this funding and how to apply.
David Ralph, chief executive of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: 鈥淲e are delighted to have led this successful bid, which will help boost innovation and funding for local maritime businesses. The South West is home to world-class facilities and research institutions, and this recognition will help to build upon our supply chain capability, drive investment, and deliver jobs and economic growth.鈥
