Anti-piracy equipment developer ARX Maritime has reported growth of 300% year-on-year since its founding in 2016.
The cohort of Royal Bank of Scotland’s Entrepreneur Accelerator programme supplies its products to 65 countries and employs 12 members of staff.
Global ship outfitter Blu Marine sets up workshop in Greenock to fulfil UK contracts
The Edinburgh firm was founded by ex-Royal Marine Steve Regis with Josh Hutchinson after they spotted a gap in the market to provide affordable, self-install products to protect vessels of all sizes.
They include electronic tracking devices, distress beacons and a clip on metal device that makes it difficult to access a ship using ladders, poles or grappling hooks.
The RBS Entrepreneur Accelerator network offers mentoring, insight and bespoke coaching to entrepreneurs.
Regis said: “Shipping companies spend around half a billion dollars each year on anti-piracy security equipment, and many smaller vessels simply can’t keep up with the cost.
"Instead, they tend to use barbed wire, which rusts and can be easily cut. ARX was set up to provide shipping companies with a cost-effective and easy to install anti-piracy solution, to ensure all ships are suitably and safely equipped for hostile waters.
Forth Ports hands contracts for giant £200 million Tilbury freight port to Graham construction group
“Scotland has one of the best entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe, and we’ve found at the heart of the start-up network is a will to help each other out. We’re ‘graduating’ from the programme this year, but will continue to advise other programme start-ups and help where we can.”
Gill Rattray, entrepreneurial growth manager at RBS, said: “The rapid growth of ARX Maritime is thanks to Steve spotting a gap in the market and dedicating himself to the development of the business.
"Steve has been heavily involved in the Entrepreneur Accelerator programme for a number of years and continues to actively support other new businesses, an integral part of a strong start-up network.”
