New for Ocean Business 2017, Diversified has announced that they are hosting two new events organised by the Marine South East and the Enterprise Europe Network and supported by the European Commission that focus on defence and commercial applications in autonomous systems and satellite applications. Visitors can register for these FREE to attend events – a conference on Tuesday 4 April, 2017 and a B2B match making event on Wednesday 5 April 2017. Both events will be held alongside the Ocean Business exhibition and training forum that is being held at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, UK, from 4-6 April.

Autonomous systems and satellite applications are both themes that are on a growth curve for investment, and are attracting widespread interest across public and private sectors. The goal of the conference is to highlight innovation priorities and initiate relationships across defence and commercial, involving major primes and SMEs.

Dr Jonathan Williams, CEO, Marine South East, says, “There is increasing convergence between defence and commercial applications in areas such as surveillance, asset tracking and cyber-security. This presents ‘dual-use’ opportunities for business. Not only can convergence share costs across different applications, but also it offers broader market access for innovative products and services.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from funding bodies and meet with industry partners looking to fully exploit the entrepreneurial opportunities and synergies between dual-use products, services and technologies that can drive innovation in both the civil and defence marine and maritime sectors.

The conference on Tuesday 4 April 2017, will focus on two technology themes that are currently enjoying strong investment in both civil and military applications, with large numbers of SMEs in the value chain, but where dual-use priorities are not systematically identified. The theme ‘Maritime information services’ includes satellite applications, maritime Internet of Things, cyber security and dual-use data analytics and web services, whereas theme ‘Sensor platforms and autonomy’ includes marine autonomous systems, energy storage for endurance, sensors and smart sensor networks.

On Wednesday 5 April 2017 the Enterprise Europe Network is organising a free B2B matchmaking event to give visitors the opportunity to meet potential business partners during pre-arranged 30 minute meetings. These will create real business development opportunities not only with exhibitors but also visitors, active in the maritime sector. This event will be of particular interest to those that are looking for new customers, partners or financiers for their company or those that are looking for ways to adapt their technology for dual-use applications.

The event is open to all attendees of Ocean Business 2017 and participants at the Maritime and Defence Dual-Use event, to provide opportunities to meet civil and defence partners on a 1-2-1 basis. This B2B Matching event is proudly organised and supported by Enterprise Europe Network, Greenwich Research & Enterprise, the National Oceanography Centre and the Maritime Technologies Sector Group and the Aeronautics, Space & Dual-Use Technologies Sector Group.

Cheri Arvonio, Project Manager of Ocean Business says, “We are delighted that Marine South East and Enterprise Europe Network have selected Ocean Business event to co-locate this conference and B2B matching event. With funding from the European Union it is an added benefit that both events are being offered on a FREE to Attend basis.”

Ocean Business is an international event with more than 340 exhibitors from across the globe, a training and demonstration programme with more than 180 hours of sessions, various associated meetings held by leading organisations in the industry, Ocean Careers providing career and recruitment advice, and a full line-up of enjoyable social events for informal networking.

Tags: Ocean Business