2024
Removing barriers to commercialisation for SMEs
Launch Academy is ORE Catapult’s flagship technology accelerator programme, designed to enhance the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, enable greater UK content and support cost reduction by identifying innovative solutions to real industry problems.
Accelerating innovative technology development by removing barriers to commercialisation
Launch Academy provides targeted technology development, business growth and professional services support and expertise to ten SMEs developing innovations for the Offshore Wind industry over a period of nine months.
This support is delivered via a variety of modules and includes:
In 2024, Launch Academy is delighted to be supported and sponsored by three leading Offshore Wind developers: BP, RWE & ScottishPower Renewables
Launch Academy is a technology accelerator programme, delivered by ORE Catapult, with direct support and engagement with the offshore wind industry. Through participating and partnering with ORE Catapult, industry sponsors provide a direct industry pull through Launch Academy’s Technology Themes and are able to engage with cutting-edge innovation developed throughout the entire UK supply chain.
Launch Academy is also supported by an incredible host of industry partners and organisations who provide a plethora of support throughout the nine-month duration of the programme, alongside ORE Catapult’s very own experts in technology development, market analysis, business case development and commercialisation of innovative technologies.
Smart Operations & Maintenance (O&M) > Download the challenge here
Project Pipeline > Download the challenge here
Future Energy Systems > Download the challenge here
Launch Academy kicked off its latest national nine-month programme with companies from across the UK developing technology solutions to address some of the most significant challenges within offshore wind.
Technology solutions from the winning companies include subsea noise mitigation, floating offshore wind cable connection systems and an AI-based health monitoring system for wind turbine blades.
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.”
The Launch Academy 2024 companies are:
Location: Bridgend, Wales
Anstee Indication Systems (ais) has patented a self-checking fixing technology which detect cracks arising from fatigue and damage. The technology mitigates the risk of unidentified failures in bolts, pins and studs, leading to excessive costs, downtime, risk and ultimately, profit erosion. Real-time crack and failure alerts provide important intelligence to guide O&M activity. ais designs and
manufactures its fixings in the UK.
Location: Southampton, Hampshire
Crondall Energy is a leading independent consultancy providing strategic, commercial, and technical services for offshore energy projects using floating and subsea technologies. Operating within 6 business streams, Energy Transition, Offshore Renewables, Floating Production, Subsea & Pipelines, Business Consulting & Technology Development, Crondall Energy provides a range of services that span the life cycle of an offshore energy development from concept to late life.
Location: Hinckley, Leicestershire
Indeximate were founded to tackle the critical problem of subsea cable failure. They address this by the application of fibre optic sensing to understand the condition of the cables and the state of the environment enabling preventative maintenance strategies. Their unique approach also liberates other windfarm metrics, enabling sensing to be provided as a service.
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
Kavaken is a SaaS platform that revolutionizes the way the renewable energy ecosystem runs through data. Through proprietary AI algorithms Kavaken goes beyond dashboards and produces actions that deliver value to asset owner/operators, OEMs, asset managers, insurers, financiers and M&A advisors.
Auxetec (formerly known as LC AuxeTec)
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
AuxeTec is developing, and commercialising novel auxetic polymer technology that was invented within the University of Leeds. The proprietary technology represents the ground-breaking discovery of the world’s first synthetic, molecular, auxetic, Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCE). Unlike conventional materials our polymers thicken when stressed or strained representing a completely new class of elastomeric materials.
Location: Bristol, Avon
Perceptual Robotics, established in 2016 and headquartered in the UK with operations in Greece and Spain, is a technology provider specialising in the development of advanced tools for wind turbine blade inspection. The company’s core expertise lies in integrating drones, robotics, and machine learning to offer cutting-edge inspection solutions.
Location: Blyth, Northumberland
Pulcea is a small R&D company specialising in the use of underwater physics to assist our clients in their commercial exploitation of our oceans without causing undue environmental disturbance. We work closely with selected Exploitation Partners who deliver our technology to these clients, and we encourage our academic partners to supply independent verification of it as and when required.
Location: Loanhead, Midlothian, Scotland
Quoceant is an engineering consultancy and innovation company that specialises in offshore renewable energy. Based in Scotland, the company provides design, analysis and engineering services to the offshore wind, wave, tidal and green heat sectors. Quoceant are developers of Q-Connect, a novel subsea quick connection system for the rapid connection and disconnection of offshore renewable technology to its mooring and electrical infrastructure.
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
RTDT is a pioneering deep tech company focused on revolutionizing the offshore wind energy sector. Their flagship product, Aerosense, with Aeroelastic Physics- Assisted Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Twins, enable performance optimization and structural health monitoring of wind turbine blades, ensuring the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of offshore wind farms.
Location: London, UK
Werover specializes in providing AI-based solutions for wind turbine blade health monitoring. By continuously monitoring turbine blades, their technology ensures optimal performance, reduces downtime, and enhances operational efficiency for wind energy companies. With a focus on innovation and reliability, they deliver comprehensive insights to maximize the lifespan and productivity of wind turbines.
Application Window Opens: 6th November
Application Window Closes: 15th December
Applications Assessed: 15th December – 5th January
Shortlisted Applicants Invited to Pitch: 8th January
Pitch Stage: 29th January – 9th February
Successful Applicants Chosen & Notified: 14th February
Programme Begins: 6th & 7th March
Programme End: November 2024
Would you like to learn more about the Launch Academy 2024?
We held a webinar briefing on November 10th. You can hear all about the fantastic opportunities available for our latest cohort of innovative companies here:WEBINAR RECORDING HERE