Great South West receives £7.5 million to boost marine and maritime innovation

The investment will further the region's leadership in sectors including clean maritime and marine autonomy

23 October 2023

The University of Plymouth has played a leading role in securing significant Government investment that will drive the South West’s future marine and maritime innovation.

The Great South West, the pan-regional partnership working to build the region’s economy and prosperity, has been chosen as the country’s Marine and Maritime Launchpad, recognising its leadership in the sector.

As part of the programme, the region is set to receive up to £7.5 million of investment to drive innovation and business growth.

The Marine and Maritime Launchpad represents a fantastic opportunity to boost levels of innovation across the Great South West. It will enable us to expand on what is already a world-class ocean economy cluster, creating commercial solutions to the challenges facing our marine and maritime sector. This funding will also unite government, industry and academia in the development of the regional economy, creating a cleaner, high growth and digitally enabled sector right here in the South West.

Mr Kevin Forshaw
Director of Industrial and Strategic Partnerships, and Chair of Maritime UK South West

The Marine and Maritime Launchpad has been developed by the Heart of the South West LEP and Innovate UK in partnership with Maritime UK South West, the universities of Plymouth, Exeter and Bournemouth, the Dorset and Cornwall LEPs, and the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport.

The Launchpad builds on work undertaken by the Ocean Futures Partnership to establish the Great South West as a global centre of excellence and supercluster in the testing, development and manufacture of autonomy, digital and clean ocean technologies.

Earlier this year, the Great South West partnership developed its Clean Energy Powerhouse Prospectus, revealing that the region had the potential to become one of the leading providers of low carbon energy in the UK.

It’s fantastic to see the region recognised for its leadership in maritime innovation. The Great South West is the blue capital of the UK, where 21st-century innovation meets a legacy of maritime expertise. From marine manufacturing and ocean science to maritime transport and defence, we are leading the way, with a robust infrastructure and supply chain network, world-class research institutions, test sites for cutting-edge technologies, and a unique coastal environment. We look forward to continuing to support key players in our maritime sector to seize new opportunities, create jobs and support economic growth.

Karl Tucker
Chair of the Great South West

The Marine and Maritime Launchpad

The Marine and Maritime Launchpad is part of a UK-wide programme recognising industry clusters with the potential to deliver jobs, growth, and productivity, and unlocks funding from £25,000 to £1m to support SMEs driving innovation in their area.

SMEs working in the region’s marine and maritime sectors are now being invited to enter a competition to secure funding from the programme. The competition closes 6 December 2023 and, in addition to funding, successful applicants can benefit from access to innovation specialist support, and opportunities to network and collaborate.

Find out more on the Great South West website

The Marine and Maritime Launchpad

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