Nine UK companies have been selected for the prestigious Launch Academy technology acceleration programme, designed to support innovative small and medium enterprises (SMEs) aiming to succeed in the offshore wind industry. The programme, created and delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, offers comprehensive support, including technology development, business growth assistance, and expert professional services.
The new cohort includes Reflex Marine, which is working on scalable, efficient, and low-impact anchoring technology for floating offshore wind projects. Other participants include Heavy Lift Project, based in Edinburgh, and Zero USV, located in Plymouth.
The companies gathered for the first time in Blyth, Northumberland, on April 30, 2025, to meet with the Launch Academy’s extended team, which includes industry advisers and developer partners such as BP, EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, and ScottishPower Renewables. The cohort presented solutions to various challenges within the offshore wind sector, including floating wind installation technologies, extending wind farm operational life, and supply chain decarbonisation.
Since its inception in 2020, the Launch Academy has supported 57 companies through both national and regional programmes across the UK. These companies have collectively raised £26.7 million in private investment, £8.4 million in grant funding, and filed 150 patents.
Stephen Wyatt, Director of Strategy and Emerging Technology at ORE Catapult, commented, “We have been impressed by the wealth of creativity, ambition, and expertise demonstrated by the companies selected for this fifth national Launch Academy programme. Further strengthening the UK’s offshore supply chain will be core to achieving a smooth transition towards our net zero targets and this presents an unrivalled opportunity for UK businesses with the appropriate skills and drive to succeed.”
Shiu Hui, New Technology and Innovation Manager at EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the new cohort of companies selected for the Launch Academy programme. We are looking forward to working alongside these innovative companies and sharing our technical knowledge in the offshore wind sector.”
Teresa Enriquez, Offshore Innovation Manager at ScottishPower Renewables, emphasized the importance of growing the domestic supply chain, stating, “Continuing to grow and develop our domestic supply chain to support the offshore wind industry is a must for our sector, and innovative SMEs – like the latest Launch Academy cohort – are right at the heart of that. The Launch Academy is a win-win programme, providing companies with tailored support to help them thrive in this sector, especially those transitioning from other industries, while developing innovative solutions that address the real-life challenges being faced by developers like us on a daily basis.”
The Launch Academy programme will continue to support these companies over a nine-month period, helping them to refine their technologies and navigate the challenges of the offshore wind industry.
