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Competition launches for innovators with cutting edge maritime ideas
Companies with innovations for ports and the wider maritime sector have five weeks to apply to the latest Maritime Accelerator programme.
13.05.24, LONDON, Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and place leadership, announced today that applications are open for the Maritime Accelerator to take forward pioneering solutions in the sector, and to hear ideas from other related sectors.
Up to eight small to medium sized UK businesses will be supported in a five-month programme to help develop innovations and progress them towards commercial readiness. Successful applicants will be able to receive between £10,000 and £20,000 of funding to trial solutions with a programme partner; along with business and investment support, coaching and mentoring provided by the Catapult.
Now in its third year, this year the Maritime Accelerator is focusing on four challenge areas: power, propulsion and vessel operations; shore side technology and infrastructure; safety and security; and resource management.
Partners on the programme are the DP World, Houlder, Maersk, National Shipbuilding Office, Portsmouth International Port, Port of Tyne, The Royal Navy, Serco, and the University of Plymouth.
Applicants have until midday on 20 June to submit their applications. A webinar will be held on 5 June for companies to find out more about the programme, the challenges and the application process, and to ask questions. Two drop-in sessions are set to follow. To find out more about the opportunity click here.
“I am delighted to open our third Maritime Accelerator to innovative firms with great ideas to tackle some key challenges in the sector. Companies accepted onto the programme will receive both funding and support from us to help take forward their ideas, and get the chance to try out their concepts in live trials with our partners.”Mark Wray, Ecosystem Director for Maritime and Ports at Connected Places Catapult
To date the Maritime Accelerator has supported 16 companies across two cohorts; the first focusing on data, infrastructure and decarbonisation and the second looking at decarbonisation and automation technologies.
