New R&D projects total £9 million during quarter three
Almost £9 million has been committed in research and development projects by Scottish companies during quarter three according to new figures released by Scottish Enterprise today (14 February 2011).
During October to December 2010, Scottish Enterprise has supported 35 new projects through its suite of innovation funds – R&D, WATERS and SMART: SCOTLAND – to help companies increase their competitiveness by developing new products and processes.
In total, Scotland’s economic development agency has awarded £2.87 million of innovation grant support, contributing to £5.88 million invested by innovative Scottish companies.
Companies across a range of sectors have benefitted from the grants to develop ground breaking new technology, with creative industries and enabling technologies companies accepting the highest number of awards.
Following the successful completion of a first phase R&D project undertaken in 2010, Midlothian-based MiiCard Ltd is one of thirteen creative industries and enabling technologies companies to be awarded a grant during this period. It has accepted a £29,000 grant towards a £99,000 project to develop a wholly online, real-time identity validation service that will comply with anti-money laundering regulations, allowing consumers to prove who they are to vendors. The company expects to secure a pilot project in the UK in 2011, leading to international commercialisation in subsequent years.
Edinburgh-based Calvatec Ltd, also a creative industries and enabling technologies sector company, has accepted a SMART: SCOTLAND award of £600,000 to enable the development of revolutionary technology for the semiconductor industry that will dramatically cut the cost of the design and manufacture of the increasingly complex mixed-signal System-on-Chip developments found at the core of most modern electronics products.
Companies in the energy sector are also recognising the benefits of continuous innovation with eight projects being awarded a grant during quarter three, totalling £2.81 million of overall investment.
CHE-EVC based in Comrie has accepted a £70,000 grant towards a £133,000 project to develop an intelligent Li battery system capable of delivering variable power output for electric or hybrid vehicles offering a more energy efficient solution and thus a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional ICE vehicles. Developments in this area promise to provide even greater benefits in terms of a vehicle carbon footprint and include safety improvements through the use of lithium ion technology.
David Smith, innovation and enterprise services director at Scottish Enterprise said: “Innovation, and in particular investment in R&D, is an area we’ve identified as a critical factor in helping Scotland reach its full economic potential as we recover from the recession.
“While Scotland still has a relatively low level of R&D spend compared to the rest of the UK, recent research shows that more companies in Scotland invested in R&D projects in 2009 compared to the previous year with spend increasing by 13.7%.
“This is encouraging news for Scotland. Scotland is clearly making progress in increasing investment in the development of new products and services, including working with Scotland’s universities and research institutions to successfully translate research ideas into economic benefit. This all helps in our efforts to grow the economy and create an environment where ambitious companies are creating jobs and investing in growth.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: “Scotland has always been renowned for R&D excellence and today’s report shows innovative Scottish companies continue to embark on ambitious new projects. These Scottish Enterprise support schemes play a significant role in helping businesses boost competitiveness, something which is particularly important at a time when all our efforts are focused on sustaining the economic recovery underway in Scotland.”
Contact Information
Julia McLaren
Engagement Partner
Scottish Enterprise
0300 013 3223
07801 794046