The Solent Maritime Innovation Gateway will address the core challenge of coherence across the maritime ecosystem, by establishing a “One Stop Shop” for customers, businesses, researchers and innovators, easily accessed by international and national investors. It will utilise existing innovation hubs and facilities, supporting access to opportunities and potential future customers by creating a flourishing environment of exciting ideas, strong relationships and innovative technology.

Development of the Solent MIG is being led through a collaboration between Maritime UK Solent, the Solent Maritime Enterprise Zone (MEZ) and Connected Places Catapult (CPC), to create a central point of access that promotes the innovation and skills of the Solent's maritime sector on the global stage.

We will ask stakeholders to develop a shared vision and joint understanding of cross-sector challenges and opportunities, to enable the Solent to exploit its strengths and its unique selling points to attract inward investment.

Purpose of this workshop

The aim of this design workshop is to bring together stakeholders from across the Solent maritime ecosystem, to map the current landscape, identify barriers and enablers to your objectives, establish initiatives to grow on the international stage and understand how the Solent MIG can support you. This will develop a shared vision and sustainable direction, driven by the stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Solent MIG.

Applications will be open to all stakeholders connected with the Solent maritime sector, to capture perspectives across the diverse ecosystem.

About the Partners

Maritime UK Solent - Maritime UK Solent is the regional body within the Maritime UK national network that brings together the Solent’s maritime strengths and assets and champions the region as a globally significant maritime cluster. Our current plan is framed around four locally significant priorities for the marine and maritime sector, each with a series of supporting future actions to guide a return to prosperity.

Solent Maritime Enterprise Zone – The Solent MEZ was established in December 2019 as an umbrella organisation comprising a consortium of the Royal Navy, industry (including small and medium sized enterprises), government and academia, working collaboratively in creating a centre of excellence for maritime research, innovation, education, skills, and training. The Solent MEZ consortium connects networks regionally and nationally and collaborates on key maritime initiatives to support the maritime sector in its broadest sense.

Connected Places Catapult - Connected Places Catapult is the UK innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and places. Connected Places Catapult connects innovation-hungry industry asset owners and local government place leaders with carefully selected innovation-rich SMEs and academic partners to spark new partnerships and accelerate commercial success.

Due to limited numbers, and to help establish the workshop, could you complete the application questions by clicking the register button.