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Overview
Launch Academy 6 is ORE Catapult’s flagship accelerator for offshore wind innovation, designed to support a cohort of up to 10 high-growth UK SMEs developing technologies typically between TRLs 4–6 (not exclusively). The programme helps to fast-track technology and commercial development for the Offshore Wind sector and connects innovators directly with leading offshore wind developers, Scottish Power Renewables, JERA Nex bp and EDF Power Solutions, to address real industry challenges, de-risk investment, and accelerate technologies towards commercial deployment.
Over 12 months, companies receive tailored technical and commercial support, including innovation management, technology development, market and cost-benefit analysis, and offshore wind market insight, alongside specialist business support covering investor readiness, branding support, IP strategy, legal and financial foundations. Complementary to this programme of content, cohort companies will benefit from one-to-ones and direct feedback from industry sponsors, access to relevant experts at ORE Catapult, and sector showcasing and networking opportunities.
Why Apply?
The programme provides structured opportunities to engage with key industry stakeholders including ORE Catapult, Offshore wind Developers (EDF Power Solutions, SPR and JERA Nex bp) and other SMEs developing innovative solutions; supporting partnerships, collaboration and future growth.
Launch Academy has supported 74 businesses to progress 54 innovations to market, secure £11.7m grant funding from 87 individual awards, £27.5m in private investment and created 68 new high quality jobs since 2020.
Delivered by ORE Catapult and supported by offshore wind developers, Launch Academy is embedded at the heart of offshore wind R&D, offering sector-specific expertise and facilities.
Eligibility
Before starting your application, please ensure you meet the following criteria:
• Must be a UK-registered company with a valid Companies House registration number
• Technology developed should be between TRLs 4-6, we may consider other TRLs in special circumstances
• Must be considered an SME
• Must not be considered an ‘ailing’ organisation
• Must be developing technology within the UK
• Must have sufficient resource to engage in core activities outlined in letter of engagement in the supporting documents
• Should be seeking to commercialise a new product or service into the offshore renewable energy sector
• Must not have previously participated in the programme
• Must be able to accept the MFA subsidy outlined in the supporting documents.
If you do not meet all of the eligibility criteria and would still like to apply, please contact the team prior to submitting.
Innovation Challenges
Working alongside programme sponsors EDF Power Solutions, JERA Nex bp and Scottish Power Renewables the Launch Academy Programme has established key technology challenges for applicants innovating in these areas, these are:
Innovative Sensing & Inspection Hardware for Long Term Offshore Infrastructure Performance
Addressing the need for real-time monitoring of aging assets to reduce costly manual interventions. Areas of specific interest include:
• Vibration Monitoring: Compact, battery-powered units for use during turbine commissioning—specifically before grid connection and full data access—to validate potential damage and warranty claims.
• Corrosion Assessment: Remote, real-time assessment and monitoring of corrosion in structural elements like monopiles and submerged flanges within harsh marine environments.
• Cable Health: Advanced monitoring and early-fault detection technologies for subsea cables to prevent outages caused by fatigue, abrasion, or thermal hotspots.
Advanced Lifting, Transport and Component Handling Solutions for Offshore Wind (including portside operations)
Improving the assembly and logistics for both bottom-fixed and floating wind projects. Areas of specific interest include:
• UAV Heavy Lifting: Structured solutions for planning and execution of heavy lifting operations using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for offshore transport and tool delivery.
• Floating Wind Assembly: Innovations for heavy-lift, assembly, and management of oversized components, covering both portside and offshore stages.
• Major Component Exchange: Technical innovation for construction and major component exchange within fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines.
Technologies to Speed Up Offshore Wind Construction and Reduce Environmental Impact
Hardware-based innovations to accelerate deployment timelines while upholding high environmental standards. Areas of specific interest include:
• Rapid-Change Tech: Quick-connect interfaces and modular assemblies designed to speed up the installation and change-out of offshore wind components.
• Subsea Environmental Protection: Hardware solutions that limit underwater noise, minimize seabed disturbance, and reduce sediment plumes during piling and installation.
• Floating Wind Deployment Optimisation: Space-efficient wet-storage and reliable tow-out solutions for floating foundations and assembled turbine units.
• Deep-Water Installation: Novel installation solutions specifically tailored for deep-water fixed-bottom offshore wind projects.
Open Call
Launch Academy also welcomes applications from exceptional companies addressing industry challenges beyond the defined focus areas. Applicants are encouraged to articulate the challenge they are addressing and its relevance to the offshore wind sector within the application questions.
Application Process
Stage 1: Applications
Companies are invited to apply to the Launch Academy 6 programme by completing an online written application (questions detailed below in section 6). This initial application will be reviewed by the ORE Catapult programme team and assessed against application guidance, companies are encouraged to read the questions, guidance and programme details thoroughly and ensure that they cover all bullet points provided.
Following initial assessment of applications by the programme team, companies will be shortlisted and if successful will be invited to pitch. Unsuccessful companies will be notified and provided feedback.Stage 2: Pitches
Successful companies from stage 1 will be invited to pitch in-person to the ORE Catapult programme team as well as technical and programme representatives from industry sponsors JERA Nex bp, Scottish Power Renewables and EDF Power Solutions. Companies will be provided pitch guidance, it is highly encouraged that companies read the guidance thoroughly before the pitch sessions. Following this, the selected 10 companies will be notified of success, with the unsuccessful companies provided detailed feedback.
Stage 3: Contracting
The selected 10 companies will be required to contract with the ORE Catapult and the Launch Academy programme, the below documents will need to be completed:
• Launch Academy 6 – Letter of Engagement (LoE) – Available to view in supporting documentation
• Launch Academy 6 – Subsidy Control Declaration – Available to view in supporting documentation
Upon successful completion of all documentation, companies will be onboarded to the programme.
Point of Contact
Where applicants have specific questions they can contact the Launch Academy Programme team - enquiries can be sent to:
- Peter Kinsley – Innovation Manager (Peter.Kinsley@ore.catapult.org.uk)
Key dates
The table provides a list of key dates for this Call (subject to minor changes);
- Application Window: 29th January– 25th March 2026
- Application Guidance Webinar : 18th February 2026 (sign up here)
- Successful Companies Invited to Pitch: 13th April 2026
- Pitch Sessions (In Person): 28th and 29th April 2026
- Contracting Window: 6th – 22nd May 2026
- Launch Day Information Webinar: 11th May 2026
- Launch Days: 3rd and 4th June 2026