Subsea International

Subsea International is a start-up technology company headquartered in Fife. Based in Glenrothes, and with an office in Aberdeen, it selected Fife as its base to manufacture its technology, because of Fife’s reputation as a leading manufacturing hub, with access to highly skilled labour. 

Working with a team of experts from the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick, Subsea International is developing an innovative robotic, remotely controlled, material condition monitoring technology for offshore and onshore assets, to provide 24/7, 365 monitoring for customers. 

OVERVIEW 

Subsea International’s material condition monitoring technology will transform health and safety practices in offshore wind installations, the oil and gas sector, vessels and the marine industry, as well as improve digital integration through the use of the digital twin for data analysis, interpretation, modelling and 3D visualisation. The technology will also bring about environmental benefits. This includes a significant reduction in sea travel, as well as less pollution from ferrous corrosion particles entering the sea around the wind farm. 

Subsea International is seeking funding to take its technology to the development stage. Funding sources – private and public – are being explored, so it is just a matter of time before this technology is commonplace in the offshore renewables, defence and tank storage sectors. End users will be able to deploy this underwater and surface robotic technology to identify changes to conditions earlier, with reduced risk. 

Recently, Subsea International was selected as one of just 15 UK-based businesses to participate in Innovate UK’s Global Business Innovation Programme, focused on surface and underwater marine robotics systems and technologies. As a successful candidate, Subsea International is benefiting from an exclusive 12-month tailored wrap-around support programme, which started in September 2020, and is aimed at building innovation partnerships and fostering future international growth. 

APPROACH 

Whilst still in its early stages, as Subsea International awaits funding news, it has engaged with InvestFife and Business Gateway Fife to ensure its business is in the best possible position to launch this game-changing technology. 

Fife Council Economic Development Services, has supported this business in its early stages. Funding was identified via Fife Council’s Trade Development Programme to enable participation in exhibitions, events and trade shows, including Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) in London and Subsea Expo. This brought about networking opportunities for the business, raised its profile in two of its key sectors, and enabled it to host its own stand, providing the presence of its technology merits. 

Business Gateway Fife Digital Boost Programme provided expert guidance on how to sharpen the text on its existing website and will support the move to a flexible platform and develop the site further, including amending the imagery. All this will take place in the coming months, timed with the completion of its inaugural demonstrator. 

The business support service that InvestFife offers, in partnership with Business Gateway Fife, has allowed Subsea International to engage wider and, hopefully, this will enable it to access the funding required to develop its technology further.

NEXT STEPS 

Subsea International is an excellent example of a Fife-based start-up business, with innovation at its core. Invest Fife and Business Gateway Fife have been instrumental in providing a platform for Subsea International to launch its state-of-the-art technology and its hope to secure funding and start manufacturing and selling its technology from its headquarters in Fife.