The impressive team at Interface supports business-academic partnerships with enormous passion and commitment.

We are ambitious, inclusive, exceptional, genuine and ethical – our core values which have been refreshed this year and incorporated into everything that we do.

2020 has been an exceptional year in many ways, from the team’s incredible efforts to support businesses as they face the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, our partnership working to make that support stronger and more seamless and not forgetting that we have been celebrating our 15^th anniversary.

As we near the end of our 15 Faces of Interface campaign marking our birthday, we think it is a great opportunity to share the feedback from some of our partners in business, academia and support organisations about our first 15 years.  Like all birthday wishes we have savoured the kind words, thoughts and sentiments – a heartfelt thanks. 

Brian McCormack, McCormack Innovation Ltd:

“You have been the catalyst for some truly pioneering innovation that has changed the world. Your ability to connect embryonic businesses like mine with world-leading academia is outstanding and thanks to you, many businesses have been able to grow, flourish and enjoy successful birthdays themselves!”

Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science:

“What Interface  has achieved in its first 15 years is impressive, and has enabled many productive partnerships helping Scottish companies and organisations to flourish and scale up, and I look forward to seeing many more achievements from them in future.”

Fran McIntyre, Director of Research and Engagement, KTN (Knowledge Transfer Network):

“….congratulations on 15 years! “The sheer diversity of the end products, processes and services resulting from the partnerships that we have helped along the way has been amazing and humbling.”

April Kelly, Country Head for Australia and New Zealand, Scottish Development International

“Congratulations on this milestone. You and your team play such an important role in accelerating innovative, commercial growth for Scotland. Our Scottish Development International Asiapac team consider Interface a pivotal part of many of the projects we bring to Scotland. What a brilliant portal into Scotland’s knowledge bank. You and your team do a brilliant job!”

Alistair Cameron, CEO Scotmas Group:

“Congratulations Siobhán – you have made an enormous contribution to the development of many SMEs (including mine!) over the years.”

Peter Ranscombe, freelance journalist and copywriter:

“Many initiatives disappear without a trace, but Interface has stood the test of time – long may it continue to grow”.

Karen Watt, Chief Executive, Scottish Funding Council:

“Interface has been funded by the Scottish Funding Council since its creation, and we are proud to have supported its impact on business innovation in the past 15 years.

“As a national hub connecting businesses and academia, Interface plays to Scotland’s strengths as a small, well-connected and progressive country. It works because of our innovative colleges and universities, and the ambition of Scottish business to grow and develop. The fact that Interface has brokered more partnerships between businesses and academia this year than in its previous 14 years demonstrates the strength of its reputation and the demand for its services.

And here’s to the next 15 years of fantastic support, impacts, learning and achievements in the world of knowledge sharing.

If you think that we can help solve your business challenge by finding an academic partner, please get in touch.