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The finalists of Scotland’s flagship awards celebrating collaboration between business, academia, the public sector and the third sector have been selected by an independent panel of expert judges.

Now in its 11th year, the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, organised by Interface, shine a spotlight on innovative partnerships between business, the third sector, the public sector and academia.

The awards recognise and reward exceptional collaborations that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits for Scotland.

Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, said: “What stood out this year was the strength of collaboration across sectors. We’re seeing businesses, public bodies and third sector organisations working with colleges, research institutions and universities in ways that are delivering real impact for Scotland, from tackling net zero challenges to improving health and well-being.  That’s exactly what these awards are here to recognise.”

The awards ceremony will take place at the Macrobert Arts Centre, University of Stirling, on 19th March.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

Innovation of the Year – sponsored by Marks & Clerk

Innovator of the Future – sponsored by Business Gateway

Inward Investment Impact

Knowledge Exchange Champion

Knowledge Exchange Heroes

Making a Social Difference

Making an Environmental Difference

Multiparty Collaboration

Place-based Impact sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Research and Innovation in Digital Health and Social Care in partnership with Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI)

Trailblazing AI Collaboration – in partnership with The Data Lab

Read more about the projects and people here: The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards | Interface Online

Join the conversation on Bluesky @interfaceonline.bsky.social and LinkedIn at @Interface.

Photo montage shows Knowledge Exchange Champions shortlisted, from left, Dr Alison Kirk, James Jamieson, Dr Nicola Cogan and Professor Sinead Rhodes

Four companies based outside Scotland, working in partnership with Scottish academics, have secured up to £10,000 each in the latest round of the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund (IICF).

Delivered by Interface and the Scottish Government, the fund attracts inward investment by supporting collaborative R&D with Scottish universities focused on a fair, sustainable and inclusive low-carbon future.

The projects awarded are:

Energy Carbon Ltd (England) and Robert Gordon University to investigate the use of waste streams from their processes to develop a more sustainable supply source of materials for battery production.

Joii UK Ltd (England) and Heriot-Watt University to develop machine learning-based clot detection for a menstrual health app, helping prompt earlier investigation of health conditions.

LiYF Bioethanol (Switzerland) and University of Glasgow to assess Scottish agricultural and forestry residues as sustainable feedstock for an advanced second-generation bioethanol (biofuel) process, contributing to Scotland’s net-zero and low-carbon fuel ambitions.

Replate Foods Ltd (England) and SRUC to develop a range of food products using sustainable protein sources grown in Scotland.

To date, the fund has awarded 44 projects in opportunity areas for Scotland such as energy transition, health tech and decarbonisation of transport. Through these collaborations, companies have established a physical presence in Scotland and have strengthened their relationships with the Scottish ecosystem as they expand their operations and invest further. Positive outcomes are also being realised for the academic base with further research and funding opportunities being realised as a result of many of the collaborations.

Minister for Business and Employment, Richard Lochhead, said: “The Inward Investment Catalyst Fund continues to support collaboration between innovative companies and Scotland’s universities, helping to attract new investment and strengthen our research and innovation economy.

“These early-stage partnerships lay the foundations for future investment and business growth in key sectors, supporting Scotland’s competitiveness as a location for international investment.”

Howell Davies, Interface’s Head of Strategic Programmes and Funding, added: “This has been another exciting year for the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund. In addition to the strong applications in the creative industries and food & drink sectors we have seen a concentration of innovative companies across healthtech and energy transition, reflecting the opportunities and world-class expertise and facilities we have here on our doorstep.”

Colleges across Scotland are set to enhance their entrepreneurial focus through a new Entrepreneur in Residence programme designed to strengthen enterprise and innovation.

The programme forms part of the Scottish Government’s Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint, supporting the drive to make entrepreneurship a core life skill across education and helping colleges prepare students for Scotland’s future economy.

Five entrepreneurial champions appointed through the programme will work with colleges by offering expert advice to students and staff, helping them to develop business skills, nurture ideas and connect with Scotland’s wider innovation support organisations.

Each champion will work with a group of colleges, building on existing strengths and creating new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

The five college initiatives are:

Funded through the Scottish Government, the programme has been developed and delivered by Interface, Scotland’s innovation support organisation, in partnership with  Connect-Ed Network, the entrepreneur in residence network.  It has also been shaped with input from Colleges Scotland and the College Development Network (CDN), which will share learning outcomes across the sector.

Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s colleges are vital engines of innovation and opportunity. I am encouraged to see more students will now have access to expert advice to develop their entrepreneurial skills and turn ideas into successful start-up businesses.

“This programme will empower the next generation to shape Scotland’s future economy. The Scottish Government is prioritising making Scotland one of the most entrepreneur-friendly nations in Europe, attracting jobs and investment.”

Shelley Breckenridge, Senior Innovation Engagement Lead at Interface, said: “College staff are working hard to embed entrepreneurial learning at scale. These champions will help develop practical tools and insights that will be shared across the sector digitally so all Scottish colleges can benefit from the programme.”

Ross Tuffee, creator of Connect-Ed Network, said: “I’m delighted to see the investment in Entrepreneurial Campuses extending into our amazing college network. This portfolio of projects will go a long way to support the work that our college staff do in encouraging our students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, which will be a benefit to them whatever their destination.”

Gavin Donoghue, CEO of Colleges Scotland said: “Entrepreneurship, enterprise and innovation take place as a core part of the offer for college students and for businesses working with colleges, and the Entrepreneur in Residence programme is a welcome addition that should embed this further. 

“Colleges are Scotland’s skills engines and are community anchors across the country where great ideas are brought to life. The support of established entrepreneurs on campus is a great boost for students and staff.”

Leona Seaton, Director of Skills and Marketing, Dumfries and Galloway College, added: “Colleges play a vital role in helping learners and future leaders develop creativity, innovation, and business skills. This role is a welcome addition that will strengthen colleges’ work in this area.”

The programme runs until May 2026, with insights, resources and partnerships shared across the college network to inform future entrepreneurial initiatives and practice, ensuring the learning continues to shape and influence sector thinking beyond the programme itself.

Photo shows representatives from West Lothian, Edinburgh and Forth Valley Colleges at the launch of their Entrepreneur in Residence programme, META-preneur.

The 11th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards (SKEA),Scotland’s flagship celebration of business–academic collaboration, launches today (8th October) inviting applications from businesses and academics throughout Scotland.

The annual awards, organised by Interface, celebrate the partnerships between business, third and public sector organisations, and colleges and universities.

This year introduces two new categories: Trailblazing AI Collaborations and Research and Innovation in Digital Health and Social Care, developed in partnership with The Data Lab and The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) respectively.

Winning a Scottish Knowledge Exchange Award is more than recognition, it shines a spotlight on collaboration, demonstrates real impact, and raises the profile of those driving innovation across business, academia, and their partners.

Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, said “The awards are central to Interface’s story, celebrating the people, projects and partnerships that drive innovation.  Each year they evolve, and we’re excited to spotlight Scotland’s leadership in AI and Digital Health and Social Care with our new partners.”

Adam Turner, Head of Innovation, at The Data Lab, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Interface to launch the Trailblazing AI Collaboration Award. This award celebrates the partnerships driving innovation at the forefront of Scotland’s data and AI ecosystem. At The Data Lab, we’re proud to support and spotlight the collaborative spirit that powers progress in a critically important sector.”

Moira Mackenzie, Deputy CEO and Director of Innovation at DHI said: “We were so impressed by last year’s awards and the high calibre of finalists, that DHI was inspired to collaborate and co-design an award category relevant to our sector this year!”

The 11 award categories now open for application are:

The awards are free to enter and the deadline for applications is 5pm, Thursday, 11 December 2025. The Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards ceremony will take place at the MacRobert Arts Centre, University of Stirling, on Thursday 19th March 2026.

Click here to access the entry toolkit and application forms.

Photo above shows trophies from the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025.
Photo credit: Martin Shields.

Six universities have received funding to collaborate with businesses based outwith Scotland in the latest round of the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund (IICF).

The fund, managed by Interface and the Scottish Government, awards up to £10,000 for research and development projects.

The projects awarded are:

Alta Vision (UK and Sri Lanka) and Robert Gordon University’s School of Computing, Engineering and Technology to upgrade their smart, AI-powered mini-grid system designed to provide electricity in remote communities. This enhancement will make energy systems more resilient and scalable, supporting Scotland’s goals for a fair, low-carbon economy.

Trem Ltd (England) and the University of the West of Scotland’s School of Health and Life Sciences to test the technical feasibility of a wearable device designed to support people with neurological tremors. The study will assess how accurately the device can track tremor frequency and explore its potential to provide continuous data that could improve symptom management and future clinical care.

The Colin Vincent Centre for Battery Technology at The University of St Andrews’ School of Chemistry and Titanvolt (England/South Korea) to validate the performance of their lithium titanium oxide pouch cell batteries, testing them at higher currents and lower temperatures. This project is supporting battery production in Scotland and is strengthening the lab’s capability for advanced battery testing.

Tattva Bio (England) and the University of Edinburgh’s School of Chemistry to study a new eco-friendly material, grown using a photosynthetic bacteria that absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere. The research will provide new insights into how the material is formed and how its properties can be tailored for specific applications in a range of sectors such as construction, automotive, aeronautics, farming, space and fire protection.

Nature Based (England) and the University of Strathclyde’s Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering Department to assess the potential of floating kelp forests to reduce waves to protect offshore floating infrastructure such as wind turbines.

Satore Technology (England, Portugal and the US) and the CoSTAR Realtime Lab at Abertay University and the University of Edinburgh, will work together to develop new film production technologies, processes and production practices for the innovative use of virtual and physical model sets and props systems designed specifically for use in virtual production environments.

Minister for Business Richard Lochhead said: “Inward investment plays an important role in ensuring Scotland’s economy grows and prospers and the Scottish Government is committed to helping ensure the country remains the UK’s top location for inward investment outside of London and a destination of choice for global investment.

“The talent, innovation and expertise offered by our world class universities and academia play a key part in attracting investors to Scotland and the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund continues to establish and foster close collaborations with potential inward investors that can lead to future investment.

“The latest round of the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund has once again attracted a diverse range of projects and I strongly encourage innovative businesses that are considering Scotland as an investment location to consider applying to a new round of funding now open.”

Howell Davies, Head of Strategic Programmes, Interface, said: “It is encouraging to see the range of universities, both from their Scotland-wide locations and the diverse expertise they are offering, and the ambitious companies focused on key priority areas for Scotland around societal, sustainable and technology challenges.”

The next round of the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund is now open, inviting companies considering Scotland as place to develop a presence to collaborate with Scottish universities, colleges, research institutes and innovation centres. Details of the fund can be found here. The deadline for application is 7 November 2025.

Image: CoSTAR Realtime Lab at Abertay University

*Over 3,800 business-academic research projects delivered*

As it celebrates 20 years of driving business–academic innovation, Interface has secured a double commitment from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

A new three-year funding agreement, running from August 2025 to July 2028, enables Interface to continue connecting businesses with the expertise of universities and colleges across the country.

The SFC has also confirmed ongoing support for the Standard and Student Placement Innovation Voucher Programmes, which enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), universities and colleges to collaborate on projects leading to new products, processes and services.

Since it was set up in 2005, Interface has played a key role in connecting over 2,200 SMEs with college and university expertise, 92% of which said their project would not have happened without Interface’s support. Once established, over half the partnerships continue to work together on further research and development.

Impacts from Interface’s work include:

Interface has also staged the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards for the past 10 years, celebrating the people and projects behind the successful collaborations and helping to raise the profile of knowledge exchange across Scotland.

Commenting on the new funding, Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said: “We are proud to have been able to support Interface’s impact on business innovation across many sectors of the economy throughout Scotland for the past 20 years. Combining expertise and talent from universities and colleges with ideas and knowledge from progressive companies is crucial to Scotland’s economy and future prosperity.

“This new wave of funding will support Interface to continue to connect business innovation with academia and foster new products, processes and services.”

Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, added: “This funding means we can help even more businesses turn bold ideas into reality and strengthen Scotland’s position as one of the most innovative small nations in the world.”

Francesca Osowska and Amelia Whitelaw (photographed above) recently met Lorenzo Conti, founder of Crover, one of over 2,200 businesses supported by Interface. Based at the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University, Crover is pioneering robotic technology that “swims” through grain to improve storage management, cut waste, protect resources, and set new efficiency standards for the industry.

Watch the video of the tour of Crover below:

More information about Interface at 20, including testimonials and case studies can be found here.

Students from two Scottish colleges have been the first to benefit from an innovation accelerator programme, tailored specifically for the Further Education college sector.

Boutique Innovation designed and delivered the programme, supporting students to turn their ideas into businesses delivering products and services.

Interface added support by co-ordinating mentors with input from Converge Challenge, and connected the students to additional support, funding opportunities, and partners across the innovation ecosystem.

The students from Edinburgh College and Ayrshire College completed a seven-week pilot which combined hands-on workshops with 1-to-1 mentoring. Participants gained confidence, developed stronger business ideas, and began thinking more strategically about their customers and markets. Feedback highlighted the value of having a peer cohort, mentoring, and the depth of insight gained through the process.

Elaine Baxter, Director of Boutique Innovation, said: “I am incredibly proud of the work we’ve done with Scottish FE colleges in partnership with Amelia Whitelaw and Louise Arnold at Interface on the first ScotCol accelerator programme. We have been amazed at the dedication and passion which has shone through from these early-stage entrepreneurs, and I have no doubt that we’ll be seeing and hearing a lot more from them as their business ideas flourish and grow.”

Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, added: “ScotCol demonstrates the value of investing in college-based innovation through high-quality, structured support. By combining hands-on workshops with one-to-one mentoring, the programme equipped students with practical tools, confidence, and connections to turn their ideas into viable ventures. At Interface, we believe that unlocking this kind of potential within the college sector is vital to achieving Scotland’s inclusive innovation goals—and models like ScotCol show exactly what’s possible with the right backing.”

The participants developed some key business and personal skills through taking part in the programme, increasing their confidence as well as understanding customer needs better.

Former social worker Leeann Lavery, a student at Ayrshire college, has ambitions to launch a business supporting carers – both paid and unpaid.

“The programme helped me understand the world of business better, how to refine my idea and make it bigger. During the course, my thinking has gone from ‘maybe this could work’ to ‘let’s make this work’. It’s given me invaluable skills, advice and guidance and the confidence to go for it and take the next steps.”

Cerys Venters-Scott, who studied at Edinburgh College, secured £5,000 funding for her business idea – developing women’s underwear which can incorporate insulin pumps and stoma bags – shortly after taking part in the programme. She said: “I felt far more prepared and confident for my pitch to the Royal Company of Merchants, which is a significant boost to my business.

“Gathering customer research through interviews gave me valuable insights, and it turned out that most of the questions they asked were directly related to this research. Without this programme, I wouldn’t have thought to approach my market research in that way”.

Edinburgh College student Claire Williams valued the focus on research during ScotCol. She said: “The research helped to prove the concept I had for my business, so was invaluable. Along with the mentors, including Louise Arnold, the other students had good advice and insights from their own experiences, so that peer mentoring was an added bonus.”

#ChooseCollege is a national campaign celebrating the vital role of Scotland’s colleges and encouraging prospective students to explore the wide range of opportunities they offer. After the success of last year’s campaign, Scotland’s colleges are once again coming together with a shared voice to highlight the powerful impact of colleges on education, skills, communities, and the economy.

Boutique Innovation and Interface are planning the next ScotCol Accelerator programme after funding was secured through the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund, announced last month by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.

Thanks to Louise Arnold for her contribution to this article.

Another round of funding of £100,000 has been announced by the Scottish Government and innovation support organisation Interface to encourage businesses outwith Scotland to collaborate/partner with academics, bringing in knowledge, skills and potential jobs.

The Scottish Inward Investment Fund awards up to £10,000 for projects focussed on one of nine key investment areas including net zero, health, and energy transition.

It is open to businesses of any size currently engaged or looking to engage with a Scottish university, college, research institute, innovation centre or research pool but without an existing base of operations in Scotland.

The fund, which provides a unique opportunity to combine innovation seed funding with academic expertise and commercial traction, has supported 34 projects since its launch in 2021.

Minister for Business, Richard Lochhead, said: “Inward investment is critical to driving economic growth, supporting jobs and creating news ones – and Scotland boasts a remarkable track record in attracting investment from across the globe. A key factor in this success is the skills, expertise and innovation offered by our world-renowned universities and research capabilities.

“The Inward Investment Catalyst Fund is about bringing together Scottish academia and companies based outwith Scotland to collaborate on projects which have the potential to translate into future inward investment into Scotland. The Fund has already led to several businesses establishing roots and operations in the country and I look forward to this new round of funding acting as the catalyst to more successful partnerships.”

Howell Davies, Interface’s Head of Strategic Programmes and Funding, added: “We are really starting to see the acceleration of impacts from this fund. Of the nine projects funded last year, three of the companies have set up or spun-out operations in Scotland: ZIYX, registered in Nottingham have established an office in Glasgow employing three staff with plans to expand; Italian-based Gruppo Sismica have spun out a Scottish business in Glasgow, strengthening its ties with local academic partners for future innovation and Vaste, from London, have now based their headquarters in Edinburgh.”

Tech company Vaste worked with Edinburgh College to develop their online procurement platform to help bioenergy, biofuel, and biotechnology companies source reliable sustainable materials for their operations. Evans Chelal, Founder and Chief Executive of Vaste, said: “The Inward Investment Catalyst Fund has given Vaste far more than capital. We’ve benefitted from strategic open doors to key stakeholders, including customers, talent, and investors. Through this support, Vaste can scale faster, reach further, and deliver more value than we could by ourselves.”

Scottish Development International are working with a number of the other recipients to support their journey in a “Team Scotland” approach.

The deadline for applications to the fund is Friday, 11 July, 2025. More information can be found here.

About the fund

The Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund was launched by Interface and Scottish Government to support businesses not yet located in Scotland to work with Scottish academic institutions.

All the funded projects support a net zero, health and wellbeing economy with the principles of fair work and sustainable, inclusive growth, and are part of the Scottish Government’s Inward Investment Plan, which articulates the important role that inward investment can play in Scotland’s economic growth and in delivering net zero ambitions.

Photo above shows Richard Lochhead, Minister for Business, at the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2025.

Interface, the business-academic innovation support organisation, has welcomed two new members to its Strategic Board.

John Whaling, Lead Officer for Innovation & Commercialisation at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and Sam Myers, Head of Investment Strategy at UK Research and Innovation bring extensive expertise in driving regional growth, economic development, and innovation strategy.  

Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of Scotland’s Rural College and Chair of Interface Strategic Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome John and Sam to the Strategic Board, where their knowledge and new perspectives will be an excellent asset. This is an exciting time for the Board to build on Interface’s strong foundations and support its ambition to drive inclusive innovation to enhance Scotland’s competitiveness by fostering strong, collaborative partnerships between academia and industry.”

Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, said: “I am pleased to strengthen our board with these appointments. Sam brings a national and international lens through his work at UKRI and across government, combining investment strategy, policy insight, and global experience. John’s leadership in shaping one of the UK’s most ambitious place-based innovation ecosystems, and his strength in forging impactful public-private-academic partnerships, will be invaluable as we navigate complex innovation landscapes and scale Interface’s impact across Scotland.”

Full details of the Interface Strategic Board can be found here: Our Board | Interface Online

Biographies

John Whaling, Lead Officer for Innovation & Commercialisation, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

John Whaling is a collaborative place leader with over 25 years’ experience of pioneering economic development and “making things happen” at the interface between public, private, and higher education sectors.  

For the last 10 years, John has been convening and championing all aspects of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s (LCR) innovation agenda and ecosystem, latterly as the Combined Authority’s Lead Officer for Innovation & Commercialisation. His primary role is to catalyse partnerships, policies, and programmes that maximise the LCR’s distinctive, world-leading assets and capabilities, in order to drive transformational regional/national economic growth and solve intractable local challenges. The LCR is now at the forefront of UK place-based innovation, with innovation a primary Mayoral priority.  

He previously worked at the LCR Local Enterprise Partnership, Liverpool Vision, and St. Helens Council, where he led a series of successful programmes that included a national City Growth Strategy pilot, plus delivery of the landmark, multi-award-winning 20m Dream sculpture by Jaume Plensa overlooking the M62, commissioned by ex-miners as part of Channel 4’s “Big Art Project”.  

Prior to local government, John spent 2 years working for the European Commission in Brussels, has also lived/worked in Germany, the USA, and Canada, grew up in Edinburgh, and speaks German and French.  

In a voluntary capacity he is Chair of Future Yard CIC, whose mission is to positively transform both Birkenhead and the nature of what a UK grassroots music venue does, based on the founding principle that music can change the world.

Sam Myers, Head of Investment Strategy, UK Research and Innovation

Sam works for UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the UK’s largest public research and innovation agency, leading on investment strategy. UKRI invests nearly £9bn per year in a diverse portfolio of people and careers, places and infrastructure, ideas and innovation; Sam’s team works to maximise the value of these investments. 

Previously Sam worked at the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Singapore, where he was responsible for the trade and investment relationship between ASEAN and the UK. Before joining DBT, Sam worked for the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, where he established the UK Science Policy and Relations function. 

Sam’s Civil Service career began in 2001 as a graduate FastStreamer in the Department for Trade and Industry, where he ran a Minister’s Private Office before becoming the Head of External Relations for the Department. He spent 6 years in Asia with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, boosting science and technology partnerships with Southeast Asia and China. 

Sam’s structural biology research at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, was published in the journal Science and he has a Masters in Biochemistry from the University of Bath.

Image above shows John Whaling, left, and Sam Myers.