MBTC Grant funding helps marine businesses innovate

16 Sep 2020

Devon marine businesses have been given nearly £30,000 of grant funding to support the development of the next generation of marine technology.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Marine Business Technology Centre (MBTC) is supporting six Devon businesses to innovate and grow via its recently launched Innovation Consultancy Grant Fund.

The Fund allows eligible businesses to engage additional professional support to accelerate their innovation projects.  This support covers areas that cannot be delivered by the core MBTC programme and its research partners. The six successful applicants are:

• Marine Tech Systems, based at the Oceansgate Marine Enterprise Zone, specialise in the development and operation of unmanned ocean data acquisition solutions. They are hoping to achieve ISO9001 certification which will help their business to grow;
• HydroSurv have been successful in their application to work with local cybersecurity experts Bluescreen IT to obtain Cyber Essentials accreditation, enabling HydroSurv to bid for contracts in the Defence and Security sector;
• Francis Drake Charters Ltd are renovating a 72ft sailing ketch with many innovations in materials, design and technologies being incorporated.  The MBTC support enables them to accelerate elements of design for the vessel;
• Plankton Analytics Ltd are undertaking first stage patent searches and IP filing to ensure their product is protected in the marketplace and can be sold unimpeded by competition across the world;
• ScanStrut Ltd will be doing specialist environmental testing for the world’s only waterproof wireless charging solution capable of high performance in the wide range of environmental conditions;
• Brixham Laboratory based company ARC Marine were successful in funding for certification testing for a specific region to enable the use of their artificial reef technology.

ARC Marine CEO Tom Birbeck said: “This consultancy work will have a huge impact on our business. Currently we are using a very low-carbon concrete that has never been used before in the marine environment.

“Our entire business model is based around environmental sustainability so it’s imperative that we confirm our choice of materials is suitable.”

Council Leader Tudor Evans OBE said: “Growing our marine sector is fantastic for not just the city, but the region.

“Being able to support ground breaking science and technology innovation is very special, as Britain’s Ocean City it’s crucial that we uphold that name and continue to invest in the growth of our marine sector.”

The next funding round has now been launched. Find out more through the MBTC website https://www.marinebusinesstechnologycentre.co.uk/

Closing date of 30 October 2020.

All projects will be reviewed by the MBTC Team and we will respond directly to you by the middle of November.  Projects will need to be completed within 3 months of your offer letter i.e. by the end of February 2021.  We look forward to working with you!