Whiskerstay

Whiskerstay is a naval architecture consultancy based in Falmouth. Dr Rachel Nicholls-Lee formed Whiskerstay in 2015 following a successful career in marine renewables, and does everything from concept designs and drawing through to fabrication and structural fluid dynamic analysis.

Whiskerstay became a member of Cornwall Marine Network on a friend’s recommendation. As a busy startup business looking to run things more sensibly and less ‘fly by the seat of my pants’, Rachel was looking for marine focused support to help her business grow.

“I’m really busy, which is great, but on the down-side I’ve had to turn down work to get a handle on it all. Cornwall Marine Network has helped me in all sorts of ways and it’s been so valuable as I take on new clients and make plans for growth.”

Rachel has attended fully funded courses on subjects like financial forecasting, R&D Tax Credits and Intellectual Property to help bolster her business knowledge.

“The training courses have really helped. Cornwall Marine Network really listens to members and tries to create courses around them”.

Whiskerstay received 12 hours of 1:2:1 business support from the Network’s Propel Project, which is all about moving your business in the direction you want to go. After a few visits from a Marine Innovation Mentor, Rachel had a comprehensive review of her website, help understanding her product capacity and a grant to lease new motion and structural analysis software: ANSYS.

The Cornwall Marine Network’s conference and meeting rooms were also very helpful for Rachel before she had her own premises.

“When I didn’t have these offices I could use the meeting room at the Network. It’s very good value and an easy location for people to find. As a whole through the years it’s been really helpful.”

Rachel is a great believer in Cornwall Marine Network, so much so that she is now a director on the board, giving her fresh perspective on how Cornwall Marine Network can offer more to startup marine businesses in Cornwall.