Rural Scotland encouraged to innovate for success
Rural Scotland encouraged to innovate for success
A new initiative is being launched in rural lowland Scotland that aims to increase the number of rural businesses engaging in innovation to help them develop new products and processes, increase their competitiveness and access new markets, both at home and overseas.
Funded by Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council, the initiative will include one-to-one advice and support, innovation surgeries and help with accessing funding.
Delivered through Interface - the knowledge exchange that connects businesses from a wide variety of national and international industries to Scotland's 24 higher education research institutes - the initiative will bring together ambitious rural companies and allow them to work with some of Scotland’s key academic organisations. It sets out to make it easier for rural businesses to tap into the knowledge and resources within Scotland's universities, removing any perceived barriers of distance and accessibility.
David Smith, director of innovation, Scottish Enterprise, said: "Rural cohesion is a key part of the Scottish Government's economic strategy - providing additional support for rural SMEs who often feel isolated from the main innovation support system. This initiative will also enable companies to access other areas of innovation support within both Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise.
"We know that companies that continually innovate tend to grow twice as fast as those that don’t, so it's vital that Scottish companies adopt the mindset of innovation to ensure that they stay ahead of the competition as markets, technologies and trends shift. Scottish Enterprise is committed to building a culture of innovation across the economy which puts the successful exploitation of new ideas at the very heart of business growth."
Mark Batho, chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said: “The Funding Council and Interface have a strong track record of helping businesses access Scottish universities’ research and academic expertise to develop their products and services. This kind of innovation strengthens both the local and national economies and the Funding Council is delighted to extend this support so that rural business can benefit.”
By encouraging rural companies to become more innovative it is hoped that new products and more efficient working practices will be developed, helping companies to increase their revenue and profits and ensure that they are well equipped to face future challenges.