Innovative Offshore Wind Businesses Invited to Spin into Northumberland
The Spin In accelerator programme is offering ambitious UK and international businesses the opportunity to establish themselves at the heart of one of the UK’s leading offshore wind and clean energy clusters.
The Northumberland Offshore Wind Spin In (NOW Spin-In) programme has been launched to help innovative companies break into the UK’s rapidly growing offshore wind market while benefiting from tailored business support, industry connections and a base within the thriving Energy Central hub in Blyth.
Designed for early-stage and scaling businesses, NOW Spin-In is seeking companies developing technologies that can support the future of offshore wind across Northumberland and the world. This includes businesses operating across manufacturing, digital solutions, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, robotics, engineering innovations and other enabling technologies.
Successful applicants will receive a bespoke package of support worth over £10,000, including six months of fully funded office space within Energy Central, specialist business support, access to industry experts and opportunities to showcase their technology at leading sector events.
The programme is part of Northumberland’s ambition to attract innovative businesses, investment and talent to the region, building on its growing reputation as a centre for offshore renewable energy and clean growth.
Located in Blyth, Energy Central is a leading investment destination for energy, offshore wind and subsea industries. The growing cluster combines strategic port infrastructure at deep-water Port of Blyth, world-leading research and testing facilities at Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, a skilled talent pipeline through Energy Central Campus and a thriving clean energy supply chain of over 50 businesses around Port of Blyth.
Energy Central is already home to a world-leading offshore energy ecosystem and through NOW Spin-In, participating businesses will have the opportunity to plug directly into this network and accelerate their journey into the UK offshore wind sector.
The initiative builds on the success of Energy Central’s original Spin-In Competition, which attracted innovative companies from outside the region and helped connect them to long-term growth opportunities in Northumberland.
Previous participant Pulcea has gone on to access further business support programmes and has become a strong advocate for the region.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Business, Growth and Regeneration at Northumberland County Council, said: “The offshore wind sector presents huge opportunities for innovative businesses, and Northumberland is uniquely placed to help them succeed.
“Through NOW Spin In, we’re providing companies with direct access to industry leaders, specialist support and one of the UK’s most dynamic clean energy ecosystems. This programme demonstrates our commitment to attracting investment, supporting innovation and cementing Northumberland’s position at the forefront of the UK’s energy transition.”
The latest programme aims to attract businesses with bold ideas, strong intellectual property and scalable technologies that have the potential to solve real challenges facing the offshore wind industry.
Ian Armstrong, Managing Director at Pulcea, said: “We a very small R&D company developing innovative underwater noise abatement technology for the offshore wind sector. Business Northumberland’s inaugural Spin In competition provided us with much-needed support at an important stage in our development.
“Their integrated assistance package provided a seamless entry point into the NE England innovation ecosystem and introduced us to the industry leading TIGGOR programme.
“Blyth has proved to be our optimal base even before the 6GW Leasing Round is launched early next year. Close proximity to the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s excellent facilities along with the Port of Blyth’s expansion plans and the recent establishment of Energy Central Campus ensures plenty of dynamic and growing businesses are establishing in the locality.”
Businesses selected for NOW Spin-In will gain much more than a workspace. They will join a collaborative clean energy community, access new commercial opportunities and position themselves within a sector forecast to play a critical role in the UK’s energy future.
Whether you’re looking to enter the UK offshore wind market for the first time or expand your presence within the sector, NOW Spin-In offers a unique opportunity to accelerate growth from one of the country’s most established renewable energy locations.
Applications are now open, and innovative businesses from across the UK and internationally are encouraged to find out more.
For further information, contact invest@businessnorthumberland.co.uk or to apply, please go to investnorthumberland.co.uk/now-spin-in