South West MarineTech sector shows strong investment momentum in first half of 2025

The South West’s MarineTech sector is demonstrating significant growth in investment activity, according to the latest Tech South West Investment Briefing Report for Q2 2025. The report highlights how maritime technology companies across the region are attracting substantial funding as they develop solutions ranging from tidal energy systems to autonomous vessels.

Key findings

Analysis from shipshape.vc reveals that MarineTech companies in the South West are actively seeking investment capital. In Q2 2025, 29 South West companies registered on the platform sought £48.3 million in funding, representing 11.5% of total UK demand. This followed Q1 2025, where 16 regional companies sought £24.9 million.

The sector encompasses diverse innovations including:

• Manufacturers of electrolysers converting offshore wind energy into green hydrogen
• Developers of zero-emission unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for offshore monitoring
• Providers of autonomous wind turbine inspection drone technology

Investment activity

The FSE Group, managing part of the £200 million South West Investment Fund (SWIF), has been particularly active in the marine sector. Their portfolio includes investments in:

• Inyanga Marine Energy Group (tidal power)
• Arc Marine (natural reef creation)
• Scaffloat (shallow water access systems)
• Triskel Marine (innovative power systems)
• Jet Engineering System Solutions (offshore communications)

SWIG Finance has also backed several marine technology ventures, including:

• £126,000 loan to Fishy Filaments, transforming discarded fishing nets into 3D printing filament
• £210,000 for an uncrewed surface vehicle business collecting ocean data
• £200,000 working capital loan for a floating pontoons and workboats supplier

Looking ahead

The South West’s MarineTech sector benefits from strong alignment with the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy, which identifies MarineTech as one of eight priority sectors. Combined with recent announcements in the Spending Review and increased funding through the British Business Bank, the landscape for maritime innovation in the region looks increasingly promising.

Ben Cooper, Director of Tech South West and co-founder of Angel Investors Bristol, noted in the report: “Much of the content of those reports, whilst mostly failing to mention the region directly, also had significant relevance to the South West — with the South West well placed in many of eight key sectors highlighted in the Industrial Strategy, including MarineTech, Defence, Creative, Financial Services, Life Sciences, Clean Energy and Advanced Manufacturing.”

Download the full report

The SW Investment Briefing Report Q2 2025 is produced quarterly by Tech South West in partnership with RWK Goodman, Howden, British Business Bank, Kene, Barclays and data partner Beauhurst.

Download the full report here to access complete investment data, regional analysis, and insights from leading investors and fund managers across the South West.

For more information about investment opportunities in the South West tech sector, contact ben.cooper@techsouthwest.co.uk