Innovation Challenge

WHY?

The offshore wind industry faces a unique challenge. To construct one of the largest infrastructural developments in Dutch history. To make offshore wind even more affordable, reliable, and sustainable, game-changing innovations are necessary. These innovations will give offshore wind the best position in the energy system, both in the Netherlands and internationally. Billions of euros will be invested in offshore wind. This creates huge business opportunities for companies pioneering the offshore wind industry.

Are you a large company in offshore energy, and are you in need of innovative capacity to solve challenges you are working on? Offshore Wind Innovators can support you to scout and select innovators who can support you in solving your challenges.

WHAT DO WE AIM FOR?

The goal of the Offshore Wind Innovation Challenge is to accelerate the innovation process by facilitating the cooperation between the offshore wind energy industry and students, start-ups and small-medium enterprises, and to offer innovators a potential launching customer and run a pilot. The Offshore Wind Innovation Challenge makes offshore wind more affordable, reliable, and sustainable, in order to give offshore wind the best position in the energy system for the Netherlands and internationally.

HOW?

When you apply and get selected, you will join and present your concept during the 'pitch and ask session'. During the competition process and the boot camp, you receive expert support from our business partner. The partner, in cooperation with the organising party, will then check the technical and commercial viability. The finalists will pitch their developed concept to their business partners during the finals.

IN SHORT:

It is a perfect platform to bring companies and ideas together and create a positive effect on the growing Dutch offshore wind sector. If you are in search of accelerating innovation in your company and fast-forward solutions to current challenges, the Offshore Wind Innovation Challenge is the way to bring results.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR PARTNERS?

• Save time and money on a time-consuming process of problem solving and innovation;
• Access to a broad network: 100+ innovative SME’s, start-ups and research institutes active in the offshore sector to help you to provide innovative solutions;
• Insights in new technologies and possibilities for your business;
• Find new innovations: that are commercially viable and technically feasible;
• Get positive exposure: for new business, clients and collaborations with start-ups outside your current scope.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR INNOVATORS?

• Expert Coaching; and steering from the leading offshore wind business partners during the 'pitch & ask and boot camp;
• Technical and Feasibility check: After the Bootcamp your solution will be checked for technical and commercial implementation by experts;
• Possible Launching Customer; by demonstrating your innovative concept or solution and running a pilot, you get direct access to offshore wind industry partners;
• Publicity Support; we support you by raising awareness of your innovations and technology within the offshore wind sector, starting with press articles in our network and Offshore Wind Media channels;
• Test opportunity; The winners can win an opportunity to test their solutions if this is offered by the business partner.

SOME EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS EDITIONS:

• 2022:SSE Renewables joined the Offshore Wind Innovation Challenge as a partner during the sixth edition in 2022. Winners were Albatrozz, on the flatten the curve challenge and BeeX, on the monitoring of ecology challenge. Find out more
• 2021: Mammoet joined the Offshore Wind Innovation Challenge as a partner during the fifth edition in 2021. Winners were Albatrozz, on the flatten the curve challenge and BeeX, on the monitoring of ecology challenge. Find out more
• 2020: The Rich North Sea joined the Offshore Wind Innovation Challenge as a partner during the fourth edition in 2020. Winner Reefy will get to install their Biodegradable Reefstructure during a test pilot in The North Sea in 2021. Find out more
• 2019: The Big Bubble Curtain. A solution to reduce noise emissions during pile driving, and the success story of innovator Marine Performance Systems. Currently, it is a research project officially taken into business with the partner from that challenge: Van Oord. Find out more
• 2019: the second winner in this year created new reefs for North Sea offshore wind farms, which have been fully installed in the North Sea in 2020. Both partner The Rich North Sea, and innovator ARC Marine are very excited about this innovation to really improve biodiversity in the North Sea. Find out more
• 2018: Ridderflex made an innovative design to realize "The Perfect Fender" for SeaZip. Find out more

These success stories have been achieved by focusing on solutions and innovations that are commercially viable and technically feasible.