Scottish Enterprise showcases commercialisation opportunities

Scottish Enterprise will host its first ever commercialisation showcase in Glasgow today (Monday 19 November), to highlight Scotland’s globally ambitious and creative entrepreneurs and technologies and the support available to help turn innovative ideas into successful businesses.

Held in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council, ‘High Impact Entrepreneurship - Scotland’s Growth Potential’ aims to raise the bar for combining innovation and growth ambition to increase levels of commercialisation in Scotland. It will offer invited delegates the opportunity to meet and hear from those who have already achieved success and to find out about potential investment opportunities.

Eleanor Mitchell, commercialisation director, Scottish Enterprise, who will speak at the event, said: “Research has shown that high-growth start-up businesses deliver a significant impact on the Scottish economy through increased wealth and job creation. Nurturing and growing these types of businesses requires a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of support for commercialisation where firms of real scale can grow, maximising impact and multiplying returns.

“To make this happen, Scottish Enterprise ensures that its activity and support targets entrepreneurs with the drive and determination to take their ideas to the global market and facilitates connections with key industry contacts and internationally experienced individuals through our extensive networks. It’s at events like these that connections are made, collaborations are formed and ambitious business people learn how to access the right support to take their ideas to the next level.”

Hosted by Paul Lewis, managing director for sectors and commercialisation at Scottish Enterprise, delegates will hear from keynote speaker Paddy O’Kane, chief technical officer of Aquamarine Power, following welcoming remarks from Scottish Enterprise Chairman, Crawford Gillies.

Companies exhibiting at the Showcase include Viopti, providers of premium range, innovatively packaged and designed eye care products, focussed strongly on contact lens wearers. Scottish Enterprise has supported Viopti through engagement on strategic business areas including financial management, marketing and funding support as well as assistance with network access through Scottish Development International, helping the company to explore new markets.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, academics and public sector partners with a shared interest in building successful technology companies in Scotland.