Launch of Solent Maritime Innovation Gateway puts the region's sector firmly on the international stage

A ground-breaking collaboration that will ensure the Solent's maritime cluster maximises its full potential on the global stage was launched today (Monday 13 September 2021) at London International Shipping Week by Maritime UK Solent, Solent Maritime Enterprise Zone and Connected Places Catapult.

The Solent Maritime Innovation Gateway (Solent MIG) has been designed to act as a catalyst for transforming the Solent Maritime region, and co-ordinate the business ecosystem by connecting and interacting regionally, nationally and internationally with investors and innovators.

It is the result of a pioneering partnership to create a single point of access and an enterprise approach which promotes the unique strengths of the Solent's maritime industries on a global stage.

Anne-Marie Mountifield, Board Director for Maritime UK, said: "The Solent has long been the nation's global gateway and is home to a vibrant and world-leading maritime industry alongside world-class research assets. This collaboration will enable us to build on our region's position as a global leader in maritime innovation, helping businesses of all sizes build strong relationships in a flourishing environment of pioneering innovative technology to face the challenges of our fast-changing world."

Captain Allan Youp Royal Navy, Head of the Solent Maritime Enterprise Zone, said. “This scale of collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to optimise cross-sector networks and position the region on the maritime global stage.  The Solent MIG will provide the system in which collaboration and coherence will become the norm, where innovative ideas are developed, tested, supported and accelerated.   The Solent MIG will have a sharp focus on an enterprise approach to maritime research, innovation, emergent technologies and related education, skills and training which will generate the associated socio-economic benefits and deliver prosperity and growth.”

Henry Tse, Director of New Mobility Technologies at Connected Places Catapult said: “The Catapult is delighted to be working together with our partners in the Solent to drive growth and innovation in a sector that is critical to the UK economy and our regional communities. The Solent has a rich and proud maritime heritage, and is home to some of the nation's leading innovators in the sector. The Solent Maritime Innovation Gateway will provide collaborators and innovators both at home and overseas with the means to work with this growing ecosystem, delivering significant opportunities for the region and for maritime innovators across the UK.” 

Watch a short film about the Solent Maritime Innovation Gateway