EcoNavis Solutions, developer of the Eco Boss Cap propeller hub, has received £300,000 in UK innovation funding and joined a Glasgow technology accelerator as it expands operations to support the commercialisation of its efficiency technology.
The company, a University of Strathclyde spin-out, was awarded the funding through the Innovate UK ICURe Exploit programme after completing product testing and validation.
The money will be released in phases, with £55,000 received to date, and will be used alongside matched investment to recruit staff and advance commercial deployment.
EcoNavis has also joined the Smart Things Accelerator Centre in Glasgow, where it now occupies office space and is participating in an 18-month programme providing mentoring and support across four growth stages. The company has expanded its team with appointments including a Chief Technical Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and lead CFD engineer.
“At the start of the year, we were just a couple of people. Now, with funding and structured support in place, we’re putting the right expertise and infrastructure in place to take environmentally and energy efficient solutions through to large-scale commercial adoption,” said EcoNavis founder and CEO Dr Batuhan Aktas.
The Eco Boss Cap, first developed in 2022, is a hydrodynamic device fitted to a ship’s propeller hub cap, designed to improve propulsion efficiency by more than 2%, cut emissions, and deliver fuel savings across vessel types and speeds.
EcoNavis is also awaiting the outcome of further applications for innovation funding, including a £100,000 Smart Grant request to Scottish Enterprise, a $500,000 proposal to the US-based National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for offshore vessel trials, and submissions to other UK and maritime sector schemes.
