News
Venture Café Edinburgh Launch Signals New Chapter For Scottish Innovation
Scotland’s innovation community has a vibrant new home, following the landmark launch of Venture Café Edinburgh on 20 November at Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Powered by Venture Café Global Institute, the world’s leading innovation ecosystem activator, and delivered in partnership with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), the launch saw over 260 people attending the event, highlighting the strong demand for a new collaborative heart in Scotland’s innovation ecosystem.
Scottish Government launches life sciences strategy with £25bn ambition
The Scottish Government has launched a life sciences strategy in a bid to push the industry's value to £25 billion in the next decade.
Business minister Richard Lochhead announced "targeted" investment in the sector on Thursday which the Government has said will focus on economic growth, innovation and transform care.
Source: Business Insider
Growing a £25 billion industry
A new plan to help Scotland’s Life Sciences sector become a £25 billion industry by 2035 has been published.
The Scottish Government’s refreshed Life Sciences Strategy sets out steps to build the infrastructure and skills needed while harnessing new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
SRUC kicks off search for new Non-Executive Board Chair
SRUC has begun the search for a new Non-Executive Chair of the Board to take a central role in the future success of the organisation during a period of significant change and opportunity.
It comes as SRUC is set to launch a new strategy for 2026-2031.
Biotech firm raises £4.5M for North American expansion
Rhizocore Technologies, a biotechnology company which uses fungi to improve tree growth and survival rates, has secured £4.5 million in investment to scale its innovative approach to forestry and woodland restoration. This investment comes after surging demand for Rhizocore’s fungal tree health pellets.
Edinburgh launch for Scotland's first district heating education centre
Scotland’s first dedicated district heating education centre has been established at the Energy Training Academy (ETA) in Edinburgh.
A purpose-built conference and events facility, the Heat Network Suite is a dedicated area which will be used to help educate people on the benefits of district heat networks.
Source: The Scotsman
HRH The Princess Royal visits Moredun Research Institute to learn about emerging livestock diseases linked to climate change
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the Moredun Research Institute on Thursday 30th October 2025 to learn about emerging livestock disease challenges linked to climate change and to meet researchers working to protect animal health in Scotland.
The visit coincided with an event on Livestock Infectious Diseases in a Changing Climate, exploring how changing weather patterns and shifting ecosystems are bringing new disease threats to UK livestock farming.
Scottish venture capital investment soars in Q3 2025
Venture capital investors have ramped up their support for start-up and scale-up companies in Scotland, signalling their appetite to back companies engaged in a range of sectors, from technology and life sciences to energy and manufacturing.
According to the latest KPMG Private Enterprise Venture Pulse report, venture capital investment increased in the third quarter of 2025 with Scottish businesses raised £116.1 million – up more than 200% from £36.2 million in Q2.
Source: DIGIT
Moredun welcomes Dr Valentina Busin as new Head of Virus Surveillance Unit
The Moredun Group is delighted to welcome back another familiar face, Dr Valentina Busin has returned to Moredun as Head of Virus Surveillance Unit (VSU).
Valentina is a farm animal veterinarian, specialising in small ruminant medicine and management. After graduating in 2007 from the University of Turin, Italy, she moved to Scotland and spent few years in mixed and farm animal practice, before following her passion for sheep and goats and obtaining the Diploma for the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management in 2014.