The Great South West Partnership is proud to sponsor Ocean Tech Expo 2026, a flagship event showcasing the technologies and partnerships shaping the future of our ocean economy. At a time of unprecedented innovation, the Expo provides a vital platform to connect industry, government, and investors around the opportunities ahead.
This moment builds on strong foundations. Over the past three years, the Great South West’s Marine & Maritime Launchpad has supported pioneering SMEs to bring new technologies to market, accelerating innovation in autonomy, clean maritime, and offshore systems. Backed by Innovate UK, the programme is transforming regional capability into commercial opportunity, strengthening a cluster that is nationally significant.
This momentum is being scaled through the £20 million Great South West Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. Supported by UKRI and led by the University of Plymouth, the programme will deepen collaboration within the autonomy domains of land, sea, and air; unlocking research commercialisation, creating high-value jobs, and attracting private investment.
The region’s strengths are further underpinned by the UK’s largest defence cluster. From advanced naval capability to marine autonomy, defence is a key engine of growth; driving innovation, productivity and national security. Strategic investments, including those highlighted at Ocean Tech Expo, demonstrate the scale of opportunity and our region’s central role in delivering it.
Looking ahead, ports infrastructure will be critical to unlocking the next phase of growth. With major opportunities linked to floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, the region’s ports are positioned to support manufacturing, assembly, deployment, and operations at scale. Targeted investment will ensure the UK can move at pace, capturing economic value, strengthening supply chains, and delivering Net Zero ambitions.
Ocean Tech Expo 2026 reflects the ambition and collaboration that define the Great South West. As part of a coordinated summer investment programme – taking the region’s proposition to national and international audiences through major platforms including UKREiiF and London Tech Week – the Partnership is working with industry and government to showcase investable opportunities at scale. Through this programme and its presence at Ocean Tech Expo, the Great South West is securing long-term growth for the region and the UK.
Find out more and book your place for Ocean Tech Expo here.
