New Innovators Competition Q&A - Marine & Maritime in the Great South West Launchpad

Briefing recording now available: click here to watch the recorded briefing.

Overview

The Innovate UK Marine and Maritime Launchpad in the Great South West have launched a New Innovators competition as part of a wider investment competition portfolio. This latest competition will provide funding to micro and small businesses to develop, adopt and diffuse new ideas for to deploy within the cluster region. Enterprises that have not previously won grant funding from Innovate UK will be invited to apply for up to £50,000 for projects with a clear route to commercialisation and take advantage of a 70% up-front payment of the grant.

This event sets out to brief SME’s both inside and out the Great South West region as to how they could engage with this new round of Launchpad funding.

Projects bidding for funding this current round of the Launchpad can focus on subjects including:

• Marine autonomy

  Disruptive technology to replace traditional ship-based alternatives for equipment inspection and other marine monitoring operations; to enhance safety of the seas, such as in the offshore renewable energy industry.

• Clean maritime

  Achieving net zero through transition to alternative fuel powered vessels using energy from low or zero emission sources or highly efficient batteries, also integrating ports into a decarbonised energy network and supplying the fuels of the future.

• Digital ocean technologies

  Sensor and communications technology, and their connectedness and interoperability; to enhance our understanding of the ocean and the impacts from offshore operations, including in aquaculture and the emerging ocean economy.

Programme

10:00-10:05 Welcome from the Chair
Bruce McLelland, KTM Place & Regional Impact, Innovate UK Business Connect

10:05-10:15 An introduction to the Innovate UK Launchpad Initiative
Layla Burrows, Regional Manager South West, Innovate UK

10:15-10:25 The support Infrastructure for the Marine & Maritime Launchpad in the GSW
Sheldon Ryan, CEO, Maritime UK South West.

10:25-10:45 Innovate UK Competition Briefing: New Innovators Marine & Maritime Launchpad GSW
Jess Cook, Programme Manager-New Innovators, Innovate UK

10:45-11:05 The Innovate UK Regional Support for Businesses Overview
Dr Deborah Watson, Innovation Manager Great South West, Innovate UK Business Growth.

11:05-11:30 Chaired Q&A

11:30 Close

Who should watch?

• Businesses interested in applying to an Innovate UK Launchpad competition, seeking clarity on scope and participation rules
• Founders, CEOs, Directors, Programme Leads, Project Leads, and decision-makers from UK-registered organisations aligned with the key themes of the clusters
• Businesses operating in marine and maritime themes identified by the Launchpad, looking to relocate or deploy projects within the Great South West region.
• Those seeking a better understanding of the Innovate UK Launchpad programme goals and how to leverage national and local business innovation support

What will you gain?

• Receive a briefing on the Innovate UK Launchpad programme with a focus on the Marine and Maritime Launchpad in the Great South West
• Gain an understanding on how Innovate UK is working in partnership with local civic leaders and the Cluster Management Oroganisation, Maritime UK South West
• Receive an insight into the current competition framework, including the criteria for an eligible application into the competition
• The opportunity to seek clarification on the eligibility of your project’s theme or approach
• Gain key insights on the business support opportunities