Marine-i goes online

The collaborative initiative aiming to boost marine innovation in Cornwall known as Marine-i has launched a website designed to engage businesses looking to develop marine technology projects.

The new website maps out the available support through the £9.3 million scheme, and details the types of businesses that are eligible for support.

Part-funded with £6.8 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Marine-i is a collaboration between the University of Exeter, Plymouth University, The Cornwall College Group, Cornwall Marine Network, Cornwall Development Company and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

It aims to bring together the industry expertise and key infrastructure needed to support a new generation of products and services in the marine sector from the area of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

A key objective is to help at least 100 small and medium sized businesses over the life of the project, which runs until December 2019, Marine-i said.

The project team will also advise any businesses who want to apply for grant support through the £3.1 million Marine Challenge Fund.

Matt Hodson, Marine Hub Operations Director at Cornwall Development Company, said: “We are determined to play a significant role in creating the marine technology businesses of the future and we want to put Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly at the forefront of developments in marine technology. Our team look forward to working with businesses and giving them the vital help and advice that they need.”