Public Funding for Kittiwake Labs Ltd

Kittiwake Labs LTD is a Cornwall based tech start-up developing the SeaUrchin(r), a novel approach for improving surfers' performance. Surfing globally has grown over the last 20 years with between 17 - 35 million active surfers today according to the International Surfing Association and the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association. Having been demonstrated in the Tokyo Olympics, surfing as a sport has reached a new status across Europe and around the world making it much more accessible. The SeaUrchin tools will deliver customised information allowing surfers to capture and learn from their performance to a level not currently available commercially. Aimed at surfers of all abilities, the goal is to help improve technique by focusing on marginal gains - enabling individuals and surf coaches to maximise on their precious time in the water. This personalization will allow for improved planning, safety, and enjoyment of the sport, reduce over-crowding at surf spots and enable surfers to enjoy waves better suited to them. Through this InnovateUK feasibility study, we plan to carry out market research and testing of the technical services in south west France. We will start by focusing on the Biarritz region which is considered the home of European surfing. We will be looking for cooperation and business opportunities in France which can also develop into other French speaking countries. In Europe, France is the second largest surf market after the UK with over 450,000 active surfers and is home to some of the best surfing spots in the Atlantic ocean. People from all over the world come to France for surf holidays including camps where they can improve on their surf skills and the city of Anglet, on this coastline has recently been chosen to host a qualifying series of competitions up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The French speaking surf market is significant around the world and we believe that this InnovateUK opportunity will help develop business connections and partnerships that will enable faster growth in our export market. By accelerating our market penetration into France, we hope to take advantage of the home Olympics in 2024\.