NOC’s Innovation Hub in Southampton to power blue economy

The UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has unveiled a new Innovation Hub in Southampton, UK, designed to support a wider range of organisations across the ocean and maritime sectors, and accelerate advances in ocean technology and growth across the blue economy. 

Backed by a £200,000 investment, the state-of-the-art facility will serve as a catalyst for innovation in marine autonomous systems (MAS), the blue economy and beyond – bringing together researchers, businesses and entrepreneurs to drive progress across the ocean and maritime sectors. 

The new hub features meeting, conference and hot desking space, break out rooms and dining zones, traditional office spaces, and soundproof acoustic smart pods over 304sq m floor space.

Office space and hot desking in Southampton

Mark Hamson, Innovation Hub manager, says: “Our mission is to foster innovation and innovative organisations in a collaborative environment, supporting and advancing commercial opportunities in the blue economy by creating connections between industry and science.

“This will help to harness the potential of the ocean for sustainable economic development, driving innovation and creating jobs and value in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, maritime transport and renewable energy to a wider pool of innovators.

“With our amazing new facilities, our connections across the ocean and maritime sectors, regular seminars, networking events, access to the deep expertise and research at NOC, as well as our ability to identify collaboration and partnering opportunities, it truly is an exciting time for innovation across the sectors we support.” 

The hub, run under NOC Innovations, being NOC’s enterprise arm, takes the former Marine Robotics Innovation Centre (MRIC) at NOC to a new level. This includes extending the services and facilities provided, with a goal to double Innovation Hub membership from the 40+ current members.

Innovation Hub, Southampton, membership

It is already attracting new members, including a global Ocean conservation charity, The Ocean Conservation Trust. CEO Ian McFadzen says: “NOC’s new Innovation Hub offers us an impactful network that champions economic resilience, innovation and sustainability. It has long been a driving force in bringing businesses together to create a prosperous and sustainable future and we’re pleased to be part of its growth to drive further value for society.”

To support the widest range of businesses and innovators, the Innovation Hub has tiered memberships to suit all organisations, from start-ups to multinationals, onsite or remote. 

Leader of Southampton City Council, councillor Lorna Fielker, performed the official opening. She says, “I’m pleased to launch NOC’s new Innovation Hub. It will provide crucial support to strengthening a growing community of innovative companies developing, marketing and using technology for MAS and related ocean and maritime operations. The wide range of specialist teams at NOC, across key growth areas such as marine autonomous systems, will undoubtedly bring deep benefits to this critical community to the UK.”