Innovate UK’s Business Growth programme – formerly Innovate UK Edge – has a new brand identity and strategic focus, extending access for wraparound support to UK start-up companies and small to medium enterprises (SMEs). That support includes the opportunity to work with private not-for-profit research and technology organisations (RTOs), including the Catapult network.
Support can include topics ranging from intellectual property and business case analysis to additional areas where benefit can be derived from working with Catapults.
The Business Growth programme is open to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-up companies with an innovative product or service idea, viewed as having high growth potential. Businesses must be UK-registered trading companies with up to 250 employees – decisions governing eligibility are driven by the Innovate UK Business Growth advisor’s expertise.
Eligible companies can apply for one voucher per business, with potential awards of up to £15,000 for proposals representing innovative solutions worthy of further development.
With our extended team of Innovation Managers, Business Development Managers, Engineers and Project Managers, ORE Catapult is fortunate to enjoy close links with the offshore wind and tidal energy development communities. We are therefore well placed to identify eligible SMEs and start-ups who could benefit from voucher system support, helping to accelerate and derisk their technology, potentially accelerating its introduction to a range of offshore wind turbines and adding value to the industry.
Our teams are always happy to support in identifying suitable projects at any stage. We can advise how best to scope the project and identify associated deliverables prior to contacting Innovate UK Business Growth to complete the Expression of Interest. We have extensive expertise in conveying a robust understanding of how projects might look and how we can help to progress their development – whether this be to technology readiness level (TRL) or onwards to full commercialisation.
When the Business Growth advisor has issued a positive ruling regarding potential eligibility, Innovate UK can request that ORE Catapult prepares a proposal document on behalf of the start-up or SME.
Each document contains a fulsome explanation of the technology with envisaged benefits from supporting its development, together with a detailed project timeline and accompanying deliverables. Following successful proposal submission to Innovate UK Business Growth, the project moves into the delivery phase which our experience has shown tends to be in the region of approximately three months.
As the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy, ORE Catapult is focused on providing support over the long-term and we have no desire to become involved in merely transaction relationships. We are always keen to help companies progress to their next stages of development.
Airspection
Airspection, based in Glasgow, are a young company specialising in drone technology designed to carry out infrastructure inspection in remote and hard-to-reach locations. Their service removes the need for in-person visits thereby delivering enhanced health and safety, increased reliability and environmental benefits through reducing travel previously required when attending site visits.
The company’s plans include operating drones from shore, beyond visual line of sight – a topic of significant potential interest to the offshore renewable energy sector.
Value and Impact: Our team worked with Airspection’s technical team, carrying out test flights on a section of blade at our test facility based at our National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth. Core to our work with Airspection was the development of risk assessment method statements (RAMS) – a key requirement since their team had limited experience of these important industry considerations. Airspection gained confidence from flying their drones around real life assets, together with practical expertise of limiting factors such as varying wind and weather conditions.
Having been awarded funding as finalists in the Net Zero Technology Centre’s Tech X Accelerator programme, the company is seeking investors to come on board during the final quarter of 2024. They are also exploring setting up a Beyond Line of Sight working group.
HydroWing Ltd
The HydroWing team, based in Cornwall, has developed an innovative tidal converter and are currently developing their third generation Tocardo T3 turbine, aiming to progress to prototype manufacture.
Having previously worked with ORE Catapult, HydroWing made contact seeking to test their turbine at our National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth. While working with HydroWing on project scoping, it became clear that work was required to resolve mechanical and electrical interface compatibility issues prior to the prototype being fitted to our test rig.
We provided further support to develop a drive train test plan, schedule and project timeline. With their test plan and mechanical interface in place, HydroWing were able to progress to the test phase.
Value and Impact: The Innovate UK Business Growth voucher facilitated detailed preparatory discussions, providing confidence that HydroWing’s drive train testing was achievable. The company gained a better understanding of costs involved in producing their mechanical coupler, as well as industry contacts for potential manufacturers. HydroWing are now considering working with our Blyth teams on a number of additional test functions, including grid simulation.
