The Future of Ocean Tech Enterprise Needs Ocean Tech Entrepreneurs

The ocean is the single most important natural resource for life on Earth, defining how we will live in the future as well as having the potential to help tackle some of humanity’s biggest challenges.

Technological advancements are essential to preserving marine ecosystems and building a sustainable blue economy. However, many promising innovators have no clear path to market entry, due to a lack of resources, funding, and access to specialized facilities. One crucial way of breaking down these barriers to market and propelling innovation is through ocean accelerator programs.

OCEAN ACCELERATOR

To close the gap, the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is launching the Ocean Catalyst program. Open for applications now, it is the UK’s only accelerator dedicated to ocean technology. This new initiative will provide early-stage marine tech startups with an ecosystem that nurtures their growth and fosters collaboration among scientists, innovators, and industry leaders.

With over 60 years of expertise in ocean research and technology, NOC is uniquely positioned to lead this accelerator. The organization has a rich history of pioneering marine innovations, from developing the Swallow Float in the 1960s to deploying one of the world’s first autonomous underwater vehicles in the 1990s.

More recently, NOC supported the development of the Lab-on-Chip (LOC) sensor, a miniaturized system that uses microfluidics for efficient oceanographic measurements. It was licensed for commercial supply by ClearWater Sensors Ltd in 2019, and is just one example of technology developed for science making the transition to the commercial world. This history of innovation provides a robust foundation for supporting new companies on their journey from lab to market.

EXCLUSIVE RESOURCES

Following a selection process, the Ocean Catalyst program will welcome its first cohort in April 2025. This will cater specifically to early-stage start-ups in ocean science technology.

By offering comprehensive resources— including skill-building workshops, mentoring, and access to NOC’s advanced marine facilities— the program will enable participants to tackle the complex challenges of commercializing and scaling marine technology.

Sharing the Innovation Centre hub space with NOC’s Strategic Business Development team, participants will have access to NOC’s state-of-the-art workspaces and laboratories, including test tanks, pressure pots, ballasting tanks, and also a deep-water test site, all at its site in Southampton, southern England, giving them a practical edge in developing and refining their technologies.

EXPERT GUIDANCE

Program workshops will cover essential topics for start-up success, such as business model development, customer acquisition, product refinement, and financial management. Through regular mentoring sessions, participants will receive guidance from industry experts, helping them navigate early-stage challenges and accelerate growth. In addition, a demo day with pitch coaching and exposure to investors will provide a valuable platform for securing funding and industry partnerships.

Through Ocean Catalyst, NOC is committed to fostering the next generation of sustainable ocean technology, empowering start-ups to deliver impactful solutions at scale.

By combining NOC’s deep scientific and technological expertise with resources tailored to start-up needs, the program will bridge the gap between research and industry, propelling innovative ocean technologies into the market.

NOC’s goal with Ocean Catalyst is to create a vital space for ocean innovators to thrive and to nurture a pipeline of sustainable marine technology solutions that can make a tangible impact on ocean health and the blue economy.

For more information about the program, please email [email protected].

This feature appeared in ON&T Magazine’s 2025 Special Edition, The Future of Ocean Technology, Vol. 5, to read more access the magazine here.

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