The South West’s maritime and ocean sectors are undergoing rapid transformation, driven by the need for cleaner energy, smarter monitoring and more sustainable marine operations.
But turning breakthrough ideas into viable commercial solutions requires specialist support—from navigating funding pathways and building technical credibility to accessing the right partners, research networks and early customers.
Through Innovate UK Business Growth, delivered by Business West in the South West, we help marine innovators accelerate development, strengthen their commercial strategy and scale solutions that support a healthier ocean economy.
Our Innovation and specialists work with businesses developing technologies across aquaculture, offshore energy, marine data, robotics, propulsion, monitoring and next‑generation maritime systems.
We help founders validate markets, refine their value proposition, strengthen their approach to funding and IP, and build partnerships that open routes to deployment at sea or in port environments. Support also includes tailored action plans and access to Innovate UK’s national and international programmes.
Whether a business is designing low‑carbon vessels, pioneering ocean sensing technology or developing systems that make marine operations safer, cleaner and more efficient, we provide the practical guidance and strategic support needed to move from concept to commercial impact—while driving sustainable growth for the UK’s blue economy.
Here's what some of our ocean and maritime clients say about us:
What our clients say about us
Latent Drive - from sea water to hydrogen
Dorset based Latent Drive is accelerating the shift to low-cost, clean hydrogen with the world’s first commercial direct seawater-to-hydrogen electrolyser stack, a device that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, using electricity. With tailored business growth support from Innovate UK, the company has secured more than £1 million in grant funding, published its first patent, grown its team from two to five and is now targeting a £2.5 million investment raise.
What our clients say about us
Tope Ocean - remote aquaculture monitoring
Devon-based Tope Ocean is developing technology and services to help the aquaculture sector remotely monitor crops and infrastructure with its innovative low-cost offshore data buoy system. With tailored innovation and growth support from Innovate UK, the company has secured more than £182,000 in grant funding, more than doubled its turnover in just two years and created new jobs with further hires planned as it continues to scale.