Launch Academy is an industry-backed technology accelerator programme designed to support the commercialisation of new technologies that will enhance the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, enabling greater local content while supporting cost reduction.
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 £26.7m 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.
Dr Stephen Wyatt, Director of Strategy and Emerging Technologies at ORE Catapult, said: “Our Launch Academy was established in 2020 to accelerate early stage disruptive innovations which can address the challenges facing the offshore renewables sector. 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.”
Shane Macken, Inch Cape’s Innovation Champion and Interface Manager said: “Inch Cape is a showcase for numerous innovative technologies and applications, from the UK’s largest AC offshore transformer and use of Vestas’ 15MW turbines to the installation of 110m long XXL monopile foundations.
“However we still see huge potential for innovation, not just for our project but for the wider offshore wind industry, with Scotland at the forefront of that potential thanks to its energy heritage combined with future development pipeline. This is why we are dedicated in our support of the inaugural Launch Academy Scotland in partnership with innovation-drivers ORE Catapult.”
David Robertson, Portfolio Director (Scotland), BlueFloat Energy | Nadara Partnership said: “We are delighted to sponsor the first ever Scottish cohort of ORE Catapult’s successful Launch Academy programme. With a pipeline of over 3 GW of floating offshore wind in Scottish waters, we recognise the importance of stimulating innovation through our project designs and SMEs based in Scotland are well-positioned to help with this thanks to our rich history of innovation and invention. We look forward to working with successful candidates to tackle some of the technical challenges the industry is facing, in a bid to accelerate delivery and improve efficiency.”
Mark Baxter, Caledonia Project Director, said: “Ocean Winds is proud to sponsor the ORE Catapult Launch Academy programme, shaping Scotland's energy future. Our Moray Firth projects have showcased the exceptional talent within Scotland's supply chain, and this initiative represents a significant investment in both supply chain and innovation.
“Funding for the Launch Academy has been committed by Caledonia – a 2GW offshore wind farm that will be Ocean Winds’ third in the Moray Firth. Caledonia is keen to see Scottish companies and innovators focussed on decarbonisation and manufacturing excellence, furthering the development, construction and operation of offshore wind, and accelerating Scotland's green energy transition.
“Caledonia is committed to spend £46m in early support for the UK supply chain and will lead to potential investment of £3.5bn in the UK across all its stages. Ocean Winds has proven its commitment to supply chain development through its existing projects in the Moray Firth, and Caledonia – across its development lifecycle and through support for initiatives like the Launch Academy – will further enhance opportunities for growth.”
Adam Swainbank – Offshore Wind Supply Chain Specialist – Scottish Enterprise said: “Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise are delighted to take part in this Scottish iteration of the UK flagship offshore wind technology accelerator programme - Launch Academy. This is a great example of the 3 economic development agencies in Scotland working in collaboration with ORE Catapult and industry to address the offshore wind challenges before us, helping accelerating, de-risk and commercialise innovative technology from the Scottish supply chain with a goal of ensuring we maximise local content and reducing costs and risks for offshore wind developers.”
