Sixteen technology start-ups are vying for a place on the TechX Pioneer accelerator programme, which starts in June at the Oil & Gas Technology Centre in Aberdeen.
TechX helps smaller, ambitious technology developers take their solutions to the oil and gas market. It aims to attract leading lights in technology development to the north-east of Scotland and anchor the supply chain in the region for generations to come.
125 entrepreneurs applied for the programme and a review process, involving more than 50 TechX mentors, partners, and members of the centre, whittled this down to 16. The successful applicants will pitch their business and technology idea to a panel of industry experts on 7 March in the centre’s Innovation hub.
The finalists include five organisations that Elevator has supported through its accelerator programme or ‘Grey Matters’ programme, delivered in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise. Blue Gentoo and Innerpath Technologies graduated from Grey Matters, RAB Microfluidics graduated from the accelerator, while Resolute Energy Solutions and Sensalytx have benefitted from both programmes.
The panel will select the final group of start-ups to form the first pioneer cohort. The programme comprises a 16-week accelerator, funding – with up to £100,000 available – and the opportunity to join a follow on 12-month incubator.
OGTC is working with its strategic partner BP in the Pioneer programme. In addition to the core funding and support from TechX, BP Ventures will offer a group of pioneers an additional £100,000 each, as well as access to BP’s facilities and expertise.
David Millar, TechX’s director, said: “We are delighted with the response to the Pioneer programme and encouraged to see applications from a wide range of industries and countries. We believe that the 16 finalists selected to pitch have technology ideas that could truly transform the future of the oil and gas industry.
“We wish them all the best of luck with their pitches. I know we’ll have a challenge on our hands selecting the final 10!”
Mark Thomas, president of BP North Sea Regional, added: “It’s great to see such a strong response to the TechX Pioneers programme, an initiative BP is proud to support as we seek to accelerate the development of new ideas and technologies, encourage fresh thinking and explore improved ways of working.
“The North Sea is a growth region for BP and our aim is to maintain a material, globally-competitive business here for decades to come. Emerging and game-changing technologies will help us achieve that goal by enabling us to tackle the tough challenges and access the full remaining resource potential.
“We will be watching with interest as the Pioneers finalists are put through their paces in March.”
Professor Gary McEwan, Elevator’s chief executive, said: “I am encouraged but not surprised at the high quality of those who have made the shortlist. This is an incredibly innovative region and if we use the right levers we can do much to unlock and anchor this potential.
“Elevator is clearly creating high quality teams that feed well into Tech X. The Grey Matters programme is a particularly appropriate precursor to what Tech X will deliver. We are in advanced discussion on the delivery of our follow-on Scale-Up programme that will support and accelerate businesses through the resulting early growth phase.
“It’s very heartening to be playing our part to ‘join the dots’ in the north east – this is genuine collaboration in action.”
The 16 finalists are:
Related posts
Interviews
Comment
Please mind the gap… or healthcare may fall
Imagine sharing a lengthy train journey with others. From beginning to end, imagine how often you might hear ‘mind the gap’ messages about embarking and disembarking safely. Picture how navigating…
Women Lead: My journey from Dragons’ Den to Silicon Valley
Following her appearance on Dragons’ Den, Sheila Hogan, serial entrepreneur, founder and chief executive of digital legacy vault, Biscuit Tin, shares her experience of her time in the Den and…
Look anywhere – the future is ‘aged tech’. But Scotland needs to be more adventurous
Scottish Care, as the representative body of independent social care providers of care home, care at home and housing support services, has been working over several years with colleagues in…
Women Lead: Engineer turned entrepreneur
We are always fascinated by other people’s stories. It’s how we connect, grow and learn from each other. Until very recently I always felt like I didn’t have a story to tell. Who…
‘Women – together we will change the dynamic in tech’
I was inspired to start a career in technology when personal computers were in their infancy and the internet decades away. My childhood dream of becoming a scientist was shaped by…
It’s time to change the future of tech apprenticeships – and we need your help
In his latest exclusive column for Futurescot, Ross Tuffee, chair of the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Digital Economy Skills Group, calls on tech employers to get involved in shaping the…
What AI difference a year makes
Amazingly, it’s been one year since the publication of Scotland’s AI Strategy. And what a year it has been. Demanding but rewarding, with good progress made and great foundations laid…
International Women’s Day: It’s time to harness power of women in technology
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I hope to be part of a future where barriers that prevent women from competing on a level playing field in the work environment…