News
Scottish Health-Tech Trade Mission Heads to Japan
A trade mission from Scotland’s health technology sector is set to visit Japan next week to strengthen trade and innovation ties and promote Scottish expertise on the world stage. Led by health secretary Neil Gray, the delegation will feature a host of forward-thinking health-tech firms highlighting Scotland’s strengths in digital health and life sciences at a series of events, including Japan Health 2025 in Osaka and a programme at the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025.
Source: DIGIT
Boosting university spin-outs
New initiatives taking advantage of Scotland’s world-class reputation as an innovation nation have been announced by the Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. A new package of funding has been launched to help transform Scottish university and college spin-outs into growing businesses. Just over £4.5 million will be split across the Proof of Concept Fund, the Spinout Pipeline Project, the Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint, and a scheme to help prepare future generations for careers in tech-based businesses.
Scottish biotech start-ups are struggling to commercialise
The MRI scanner. Insulin. Football dugouts. All cultivated in Aberdeen.
All having a global impact, providing inspiration for further innovation – and all a small snapshot of what just one Scottish city has given the world.
Source: Business Insider
University of Edinburgh launches UK-first innovation initiative
The University of Edinburgh has launched a new career development route for academics wishing to focus on commercialisation and engagement with industry.
Source: Business Insider
Higgs Centre for Innovation celebrates £25 million in investment
Companies based at the Higgs Centre for Innovation in Edinburgh have secured over £25 million in funding since the business incubation centre opened in 2018, creating over 150 jobs.
This achievement highlights Higgs’ role in supporting young businesses and fostering growth and innovation in the space and technology sectors in Scotland.
Scottish Biotech Innovator Secures Up To £1.1 Million Investment From Scottish Enterprise
Green Bioactives, a leader in the sustainable production of plant-based natural products through its proprietary Plant Cell Culture Technology platform, has secured grant of up to £1,097,016 from Scottish Enterprise. The grant will support an 18-month research and development initiative focused on the production and initial scale-up of natural products that are derived from plant cell culture, which will enable Green Bioactives to supply customers in waiting in the cosmetic and personal care industries.
Edinburgh and south east Scotland innovation action plan unveiled
A new action plan, which puts business growth and innovation at the forefront, has been launched.
Developed by Innovate UK, Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region, and Scottish Enterprise, the proposals aim for a resilient and investment-attractive economy by leveraging regional capabilities.
Source: Business Insider
India and Scotland ramp up regional approach to business ties
An Indian – Scotland Business Meet was hosted in Edinburgh 3rd – 6th March and started with an event at Edinburgh City Chambers aimed at fostering business ties between India and Scotland in renewable energy, life sciences, IT and innovation, and whisky.
Source: The Scotsman
Scotland can be the “engine room of UK growth”
The Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Ian Murray, told an audience at the University of Edinburgh’s Informatics Forum on Friday morning that Scotland can be “the engine room of UK growth”.
Source: The Edinburgh Reporter
Scottish National Investment Bank: A catalyst for positive change
With an ambition to be transformative and provide development capital to Scottish firms engage in three core pillars – the drive to net zero, tackling place-based inequality, and supporting innovation – the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) set out its stall to before an audience of delegates from across the business spectrum in Glasgow today.
Source: The Herald