The prestigious Launch Academy was established in 2020, and this will be the inaugural Scotland-wide programme which will provide 10 early-stage businesses with technology development and business growth support to help them to accelerate the commercialisation of products and services targeting the UK and global offshore wind markets.
Since 2020, Launch Academy has supported 57 companies, raised £26.7 million in private investment, £8.4m in grant funding and had 150 patents filed through both the national and regional Launch Academy programmes across the United Kingdom.
Launch Academy Scotland is sponsored by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, global renewable energy developers BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership and Ocean Winds, as well as Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm. The 10 most promising solutions will be selected by a panel of experts to join the Launch Academy Scotland cohort.
Industry experts from the sponsoring organisations will engage and support the cohort companies throughout their seven-month Launch Academy journey. At the end of the programme, the innovators will pitch to industry partners and ORE Catapult’s network of investors with the aim of securing investment and a route to market for their products.
“Our Launch Academy was established in 2020 to accelerate early stage disruptive innovations which can address the challenges facing the offshore renewables sector” said Dr Stephen Wyatt, Director of Strategy and Emerging Technologies at ORE Catapult. “I’m delighted that we have this dedicated programme for Scotland linking so closely to the biggest offshore wind projects in our waters. Scotland has forged an enviable reputation for excellence and specialist expertise within the energy sector and we are delighted to welcome the support of Scotland's enterprise agencies, Inch Cape, BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership, and Ocean Winds as we launch this latest programme. Launch Academy Scotland will mentor 10 promising companies, providing them with technical and business growth support, as well as industry insights and market connectivity, positioning them to thrive in the UK offshore wind supply chain.”
Applications are open from today, 19 July 2024 and can be submitted until the closing deadline of 16 August 2024.
A Launch Academy Scotland briefing webinar will take place on Monday 29 July, 2024.
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