Subworx: the subsea experts diving into ETZ EnergyWorks

ETZ Ltd is excited to have welcomed Subworx, our second Resident Innovator, into ETZ EnergyWorks - the UK's first Energy Incubator and Scale-Up Hub. Since moving into the facility in April, the team has been actively settling in and making strong progress.

As part of this collaboration, Subworx benefits from access to the extensive ETZ EnergyWorks partner network. This provides a unique blend of customer mentoring, expert guidance, and tailored business growth support - designed to accelerate innovation, enhance manufacturing technology adoption, and drive long-term value.

Daniel Merrington, Subsea Director at Subworx, recently shared an update on their experience so far.

What does Subworx do in a nutshell?

Subworx is an Aberdeen-based subsea technology and underwater engineering company. We provide specialist diving technical authority, project management and underwater consultancy support, while also developing new underwater technology.

Our main focus is OceanLocker™, our patented subsea inspection and integrity system. OceanLocker™ goes beyond the visual by fusing underwater data capture, sensors, imaging, digital visualisation and integrity assessment tools to help asset owners manage underwater assets more effectively.

How has the first month or so at ETZ EnergyWorks gone?

The first month has been very positive. ETZ EnergyWorks has given Subworx a high-profile innovation base in Aberdeen, surrounded by companies and organisations focused on energy transition, technology and growth.

The conversations we had at the recent All-Energy exhibition and within ETZ EnergyWorks have helped validate that we are developing a product the market is actively looking for.

The fact that ETZ EnergyWorks is anchored by ETZ and Scottish Enterprise also gives it real credibility as a place for innovation-led companies to grow.

What do you like most about being a Resident Innovator at ETZ EnergyWorks?

What stands out most is the incubator-style feel of ETZ EnergyWorks. It is not just office space; it provides visibility, support, introductions and scalable space that can grow with the business.

For Subworx, that flexibility is important. It gives us a professional base for meetings, collaboration and growth, without committing too early to a space that is either too small for the next stage or too large for where we are now.

We previously graduated from the inaugural ORE Catapult Scottish Launch Academy, and ETZ EnergyWorks feels like the next important step in that journey.

What is Subworx excited about at the moment?

We are focused on the next stage of OceanLocker™ development. The technology is now patented, and we are progressing a Scottish Enterprise CAN DO funded project to support development, testing and demonstration.

There is a real opportunity to improve how underwater infrastructure is inspected and managed, not only across offshore renewables and the blue economy, but also in more mature industries such as oil and gas.

We are now using the CAN DO project, industry conversations and further funding activity to move OceanLocker™ from prototype towards a demonstrable commercial solution. 

What do the next 3–6 months look like for you?

The next few months are focused on proving the technology through controlled testing and building the evidence needed for commercialisation. This includes progressing our Scottish Enterprise CAN DO-funded project, developing the OceanLocker™ hardware and software system, and completing trials to demonstrate its capability. We are also actively seeking additional funding and industry support to continue our route to commercialisation and move OceanLocker™ towards a real-world demonstrator.

At the same time, we will continue engaging with potential partners, asset owners and stakeholders to understand where OceanLocker™ and our wider underwater technology can deliver the most value.

It is a busy period for Subworx, but ETZ EnergyWorks gives us a strong base to build from as we take the next steps.

We're thrilled to have Subworx stay with us and can't wait to see what they get up to next.