Three North East companies are among the latest cohort to win places on an award-winning technology acceleration programme led by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
Ten firms in total have been picked for the Launch Academy programme, which provides the next steps for businesses set to take the offshore wind industry by storm with their tech solutions. The nine-month academy programme, based in Newcastle, brings together businesses working on some of the most significant challenges within offshore wind.
Companies taking part include Blyth-based Pulcea, and Kavaken and RTDT, both of which are based in TusPark in Newcastle. Technology solutions which have been developed by the winning companies include floating offshore wind cable connection systems and an AI-based health monitoring system for wind turbine blades.
Read more: ‘ Trailblazer’ deal set to deliver massive boost to North East Read more: Fundraiser launched by The Common Room in Newcastle as its future ‘hangs in the balance’Pulcea, which is working with offshore wind operators to protect marine mammals and fish around wind farms, is developing a solution to mitigate against subsea noise created by offshore wind farm installation.
Ian Armstrong, managing director at Pulcea, said: “The Pulcea team are delighted that we were accepted onto the Launch Academy programme as this will significantly enhance our drive towards commercialisation. The access it provides to the three offshore wind sponsors will prove to be a significant help in providing timely industry guidance at this critical stage of our development.”
Bora Tokyay, the co-founder and CEO of Kavaken, said: We’re really excited to be a part of the Launch Academy programme and are looking forward to working with the program sponsors RWE, ScottishPower Renewables, BP, the experts at ORE Catapult and the fellow cohort members to transfer the experience we have on onshore wind to the offshore industry. This program will enable us to validate the use of our AI-powered software solution in the offshore wind industry to maximize the clean energy being generated from existing wind farms and enable the offshore wind industry to run better through operational data and artificial intelligence.”
The programme will deliver support through a series of modules delivered by ORE Catapult and expert partners. Modules include legal, marketing, export, accountancy, intellectual property (IP), investor readiness, technology assessment, and business case reviews, worth up to £60,000 per company. At the end of the programme, companies also have the chance to pitch to ORE Catapult’s network of private investors and industry.
Ravneet Kaur, senior technology acceleration manager at ORE Catapult, said: “We are delighted to have 10 exciting new companies starting a Launch Academy journey with us – aiming to de-risk and validate their technology and make a real impact on the offshore wind industry. It is also fantastic to have the support and sponsorship of industry giants RWE, bp and ScottishPower Renewables on the programme to link technology solutions to industry challenges and advise the businesses we have on board.
“Launch Academy provides a platform for businesses to develop their technology or services, access mentoring and expertise, secure funding, and collaborate with industry leaders. We aim to create a vibrant ecosystem that fosters innovation and accelerates the commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies that benefit offshore renewable industry and the UK’s supply chain.”
Since 2020, 47 companies have progressed through the regional and national programmes, over £33m of investment and grant funding has been raised and 48 patents have been filed.
