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One might struggle to draw the common link between an expert in virtual reality, an innovative health drink and a 10 year-old partnership between a gin producer and a university.  But these collaborations, along with 19 other people and projects, have been shortlisted for the 2023 Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards.

The showcase of impactful collaborations and individuals highlights the remarkable achievements which have the potential to create positive change in Scotland and beyond.

Sixteen judges from academia, business and key players in the innovation system, worked through applications across eight categories before hotly debating the finalists in some fiercely-contended battles.

The shortlist includes collaborations with strong environmental credentials from a proof of concept for a new Scottish net zero manufacturing industry to optimising the use of biochar and improving fashion sustainability.

In the Powerful Partnership category, the shortlist could not be more diverse, from distilling gin, to pioneering research in nuclear waste, to boosting visitor numbers to a north-east castle through immersive multi-media.

Given the challenges to the tourism industry in recent years, it is perhaps not surprising that tourism features strongly in the shortlist as organisations have benefitted from academic expertise to engage virtual reality, augmented reality and gaming techniques to widen audience reach.

Students and academics at the University of Glasgow, through the Games and Gaming Lab and the University’s Minecraft Society, worked with Robert Burns Ellisland Trust to faithfully recreate, in Minecraft, the 18th-century farm in Dumfriesshire where Burns and his family lived whilst he produced some of his best-known work.

While Minecraft may sound familiar, Muography most likely won’t be – it is a technique that uses natural radiation produced in the upper atmosphere to shed unique light on the contents of shielded nuclear waste containers.

The University of Glasgow and National Nuclear Laboratory are pioneering research in this field, which has applications in other industries such as construction because of its ability to assess the structural health of concrete buildings.

The food and drink industry is renowned for its ability to reinvent, and several collaborations focus on developing products and processes. The health benefits of a drink made by The Prebiotic Company were explored with Glasgow Caledonian University, whilst Baxters Food Group partnered with University of the West of Scotlandonembedding waste and process management knowledge and expertise, helping reduce their environmental footprint.

Meanwhile, a 10-year relationship between Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling and Edinburgh Gin (Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd) has launched new products and careers.

We are delighted to recognise early-stage career researchers in the Innovator of the Future category, and the three finalists have brought their knowledge and skills to the offshore oil industry, circular fashion and lift specialists.

The knowledge exchange champions have built a wealth of experience through interactions with industry, and the 2023 shortlist celebrates three worthy winners where virtual reality, immersive technology, artificial intelligence and climate change are the areas covered by three researchers at Scottish universities – Glasgow, Aberdeen and the West of Scotland.

The shortlist can be found at https://interface-online.org.uk/news

The big reveal of winners will take place on 23 March, at an awards ceremony in the City of Discovery, Dundee.

Join the conversation on Twitter using #ScotKEAwards.

Five business-academic research projects have been awarded almost £45,000 funding from the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund.

The fund was set up by Interface and Scottish Government to support businesses not yet located in Scotland to work with Scottish academic institutions. As well as funding research and development it provides an opportunity for the business to establish relationships and offers insight into Scotland as a great place to invest.

The funded projects are:

Dutch aircraft manufacturer Cormorant SEAplanes BV and Robert Gordon University are awarded £9,978 to investigate the use of lightweight materials for an innovative electric aircraft designed for short take-off and landing.

UK and US-based Cumulus Energy Storage Ltd, manufacturer of energy storage batteries, with University of St Andrews are awarded £5,000 for a feasibility study into a rechargeable battery storage system which can then be bench marked against alternative solutions.

London-based tech company Geotourist, and University of Dundee are awarded £10,000 to develop further insight into their platform and the economic and societal impacts for the tourism sector both in a Scottish and international context.

Belfast-based healthtech company Take Ten Ltd and Edinburgh Napier University are awarded £9,998 to develop their digital stress management tool into new markets and assessing requirement for the products to be successfully adopted by potential market-users.

Smartify, a tech company working with museums and galleries across the world, and the University of the West of Scotland are awarded £9,834 for a proof of concept for developing their immersive technologies platforms to enable scale-up of their products.

The fund was launched in 2021 as part of the Scottish Government’s Inward Investment Plan. Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee, said:  

“It is excellent to see the success of the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund in attracting high-quality and innovative projects, aligned with the key areas of the Inward Investment Plan and our ambitions set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

“This funding highlights the strengths and expertise of our internationally recognised universities, encouraging potential investors to grow their businesses here in Scotland.

“These partnerships are also helping to lay the foundations that will support economic growth in Scotland resulting in the potential for creating high-skilled jobs.”

Howell Davies, Sector and Business Engagement Manager, Interface, said: “The catalyst funding is a valuable way to kickstart relationships. We see examples of projects from last year leading on to funded PhD Studentships and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships which deepen the business-academic relationship and help to create opportunities for inward investment in Scotland.”

All the funded projects will 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.

Interface connects businesses from all sectors to Scotland’s universities, research institutes and colleges. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise, Interface is a free and impartial service which aims to stimulate demand for innovation and help companies to collaborate with academics to solve business challenges.

What does a South African drinks company and a Romanian leisure company have in common? Both have plans to invest and develop sites in Scotland. Interface brings together opportunities between organisations, wherever they are based, with the world-class academic institutions here in Scotland. When it comes to supporting inward investment, our job is made easier as Scotland is blessed by a supportive business environment, a talented workforce, world-class universities, natural resources and the ability to collaborate with one another which makes international companies want to locate here.

Following the latest round of the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund (IICF), which we set up in partnership with the team at Scottish Government, what is apparent is the opportunity these companies see in engaging with Scottish academics to develop their products and offerings.  There are also wider benefits to collaborating in Scotland, whether it’s for the burgeoning travel technology sector here; to embed testing in remote areas; or for the built facilities such as the Michelin Scotland Innovation Park and the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland.  

The Scottish Government recently produced a values-led inward investment policy focusing on net zero, fair work, inclusive prosperity and the creation of a wellbeing economy. We are seeing the effect of this in the types of business coming to our doorstep who are wanting to make a difference in Scotland, to help create a healthier, fairer and more prosperous place to live.

For example, Therme successfully applied to the IICF working with the University of Glasgow on a feasibility study to develop a research and development Centre of Excellence, alongside their proposed £100m Wellness Centre. An unforeseen benefit for the University has been the multi-disciplinary interactions, which have expanded their engagement with a global organisation from a medical focus to also explore engineering and social science opportunities.

Another company realising the value of expertise in Scotland is Silicon Valley-based education and care tech company, 2m Foundation. Their mission is to bring people and technology together to create change for individuals with autism. They have accessed the Laboratory for Innovation in Autism at the University of Strathclyde. The facility is uniquely placed to evaluate this technology being developed and, if successful, to elevate its commercial potential. The business-academic partnership is seen as a step towards developing a base for the company in Scotland.

Nutri-Go, a South African-based company, identifies Scotland as a key strategic location for them to develop, manufacture and distribute their healthy drink products. They have tapped into the technical support and expertise at Abertay University Food Technology Centre of Excellence, developing the product for the Northern Hemisphere taste palate. They have now registered a company in Scotland BiaGo, which is derived from Gaelic for food (Bia/Biadh), which can be thought of as “food on the go”. It doesn’t get more Scottish than this!

The unique ‘Team Scotland’ partnership approach which sees the public sector, including Scottish Enterprise, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise, working together with academia and industry to promote the very best Scotland has to offer does mean we punch well above our weight when it comes to Inward Investment.  

From an Interface perspective and the academic institutions we support, the catalyst funding leads  to longer term strategic partnerships. We see examples of projects from this year leading on to funded PhD Studentships and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships which deepen the business-academic relationship, allowing ongoing exchanges of skills and knowledge which greatly benefit the wider workforce in the company as well as individual academics.  From a personal perspective there is still plenty of work to be done but I look forward to the day I get to relax in Therme’s wellbeing centre in Glasgow, sipping on a BiaGo health drink!

This is a challenging time for organisations all over Scotland affected by the cost crisis and steep hikes in the many areas of running a business. Business owners are needing to identify creative ways to address these challenges of growth and survival. Interface can support business by catalysing connections between business and the knowledge base in universities.

Expertise and insights from individuals within the Scottish academic ecosystem can support current business operations by helping to validate cost saving ideas, reduce waste and streamline processes. Interface is a free, well established and impartial service that facilitates business accessing academic expertise, research, technologies, specialist facilities and funding. Here, I look at how reviewing energy costs can strengthen commitment to sustainability, how by-products can be turned into profits, and how university facilities can make cost savings.

83% of businesses which Interface have worked with record reduced operating costs, increased productivity, profits, export, turnover and new or safeguarded employment.

Looking at how energy is used is a good starting point for many businesses, third sector and public sector organisations. In 2011, luxury knitwear manufacturer Johnstons of Elgin wanted to analyse its energy use across the main business units of dyes, weaving, logistics, finishing and yarns, as it was difficult to differentiate across the company the exact energy costs associated with each of these utilities.

A partnership between the company and The Energy Academy at Heriot Watt University was established, resulting in a PhD student reviewing strategies that would enable the company to reduce energy costs and market the carbon footprint in each area of the business, as well as each product.

Since then, the company’s commitment to sustainability has been recognised with a Queen’s Award for its 360-degree approach to sustainability and leading the way in ethical manufacturing.

Using by-products as an additional income stream is another way of helping balance the books.

Ayrshire-based W&J Knox Ltd is the largest UK manufacturer of nets, mainly for the salmon farming industry.

When the nets are cleaned, a nutrient-rich solid cake is produced which goes into landfill. The company was looking for expertise to analyse the waste product to establish if a new product could be created.

Interface connected them to a researcher from Abertay University, who investigated how the useful materials could be extracted from the waste and now, instead of being sent to landfill, tonnes of salvaged protein and oil is turned into fish, pig and chicken feed.

Dr Boon-Seang Chu, Lecturer in Food Science at Abertay University, said: “Abertay has a strong track record in research focussing on the reuse of food waste products and this is an area that is going to become increasingly important on both a national and international level in the coming years.” 

Accessing university facilities is another way that businesses can curb costs, rather than buying equipment themselves.

Cycling performance innovators Flaér contacted Interface when they were in the last stage of testing a new chain system as they were looking to engage with an academic department with full wind tunnel facilities and associated expertise. Interface was able to find the support required in a cost-effective way, with on-going support.

The project led to improved processes and new products, with an increase in overall productivity and turnover.

Interface were able to support business growth through collaboration with academia in the agricultural sector. Crover Ltd.’s robotic device, which “swims” through grain, is revolutionizing the agri-food sector helping identify early onset of spoilage from infestation by insects and moulds, to reduce food waste, improve grain management, and save money.

Funding projects with academics can be an important consideration, and Interface is well-placed to advise on currently available grants and funding programmes open to businesses or academic partners.

Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, said: “We are looking forward to supporting The Scottish Funding Council’s ambitions for the tertiary education and research system.”

“Interface is well-placed to contribute to these ambitions by bringing together Scotland’s academic and business resources in the pursuit of securing sustainable institutions and transitioning to a fairer and greener world.

“Connecting organisations to Scotland’s world-class universities and colleges brings real economic and social benefits across Scotland.”

Click here to read the report.

The eighth Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards has opened for entries today (5 October 2022) to celebrate exceptional business-academic partnerships.

Interface, an organisation committed to developing and supporting collaborations between business and research communities in Scotland, will host the Awards ceremony in person on Thursday 23 March 2023.

The Awards acknowledge collaborations from businesses, social enterprises, public sector organisations, third sector, universities, research institutes, innovation centres and colleges.

The eighth Awards were launched by Mr Ivan McKee, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, at a recent event for past winners at Heriot-Watt University.

Business Minister Ivan McKee said:

“It was great to be part of the launch event for 2023 Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards (SKEA), celebrating the innovative collaborations between business and the research community across Scotland.

“I have been involved with the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards for a number of years now and always look forward to hearing more about the impact of these business-academic partnerships across all sectors of industry, helping to tackle some of society’s big challenges and making Scotland a more resilient nation.”

Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, added:  

“It is important we acknowledge the impact of these unique partnerships and celebrate the achievements of the individuals who are driving growth, prosperity and innovation in our local communities”.

The awards were launched at the new National Robotarium, the largest and most advanced applied research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence in the UK. Located on Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus, the vibrant hub for innovation and industry collaboration was a fitting location for the launch.

Dr Gillian Murray, deputy principal for business and enterprise at Heriot-Watt University said: 

“We’re enormously proud to have won several Knowledge Exchange Awards in recent years. These prestigious awards recognise and celebrate the importance of working in partnership with business and the impact that approach can have on accelerating research into commercial application. At Heriot-Watt University, entrepreneurship and innovation lie at the heart of our strategy and we work hard to inspire our students and academics to pursue the commercial potential of their creative ideas.”

The eight Award categories now open for entries are:

The winners will be chosen on their demonstration of innovation, impact – societal or economic – and transformation, along with personal contributions to knowledge exchange.

Individuals from academia or businesses are encouraged to apply by 9 December 2022.

Click here for further information on the awards and application forms.

Interface

Interface connects businesses from all sectors to Scotland’s universities, research institutes and colleges. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise, Interface is committed to developing and supporting collaborations between business and research communities to positively impact growth and innovation in Scotland.

Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Ivan McKee, and Interface are delighted to launch the second round of The Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund, which is now open for applications. The fund, offered by Interface and the Scottish Government, is aimed at attracting businesses to invest in Scotland by establishing a partnership for research and development with universities.

Up to £10,000 will be awarded to six successful applications in this round, which closes on 11th November.

Watch the launch video, below, which features past winners NutriGo SA, who partnered with Abertay University, to develop a non-dairy yoghurt drink for the Scottish market.

To learn more about the fund, and to complete the application forms, visit our funding page. 

By Howell Davies, Sector Engagement Manager, Interface

Scotland is a progressive, outward facing nation which sees the opportunities for export and inward investment as key economic drivers.  Inward investment makes a significantly disproportionate and positive contribution to Scotland’s economy, and spurs innovation and improves productivity. We have global strengths across many sectors, often built on the excellence of our academic institutions working hand in hand with Scotland’s innovative businesses, leveraging our considerable natural and human resources.

At Interface we facilitate and develop relationships and opportunities between organisations both Scottish and those out with Scotland with the world class academic institutions here.  We support companies to identify relevant expertise and facilities, but also looked to encourage and broker relationships through funding opportunities.  One such fund is the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund (IICF) which was set up in partnership and thanks to the forward-thinking approach from Scottish Government. 

One such example of a company supported by Interface who recently based operations in Scotland as a result of facilities, expertise and a talent pool based around a university is Celestia UK. After a successful five month residency at Heriot-Watt University’s Global Research Innovation and Discovery (GRID) facility, Celestia UK, specialists in the advancement of state-of-the-art antenna systems used for tracking satellites, based themselves permanently in Scotland.

José Alonso, Chairman of Celestia UK’s parent company, Celestia Technologies Group, said:

“To fuel our growth, we’re able to build a team from a wealth of talent on the doorstep at Heriot-Watt and other universities, as well as from professionals within the Scottish space industry who value the location, facilities and beautiful environment of the Research Park.”

The IICF was launched in late 2021 to support businesses not yet located in Scotland but seeking to establish stronger ties with academia here.  Ultimately with the intention of landing inward investment projects arising or supported by the academic collaborations and relationships formed. 

So far this has seen 10 projects between companies and universities ranging from an aircraft manufacturer, to a green metals technology company in the U.S., and a probiotic drinks manufacturer from South Africa.  The seed funding provided is helping to establish the relationships, and, as well as the research and development carried out, it is giving the companies greater insight into other aspects of the Scottish landscape, such as further investment opportunities, supply chains and the skills base.

One high profile inward investor, Therme Group, have leased the 20-acre site next to the Riverside Museum in Glasgow with the intention of developing a wellbeing destination.   Operating alongside the resort, Therme are looking at options for setting up a “global centre of excellence” for wellbeing.

They were a successful applicant of the IICF working with the University of Glasgow where seed funding helped kick off the collaboration with a feasibility study which is continuing to develop into more in-depth work. The proposed new Centre of Excellence would stimulate inward investment through attracting additional research income and R&D-related employment directly into Scotland.

Interface continues to work with colleagues across Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and the academic institutions to support and encourage inward investment activity and look forward to seeing applications for the latest round of the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund which launches this month.

This article also appeared in The Scotsman.

The Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund has awarded a further £40,000 to strengthen ties between businesses based outside Scotland and Scottish universities.

Four companies, headquartered in the U.S., Finland and England, will collaborate with a range of Scottish universities with a view to establishing operations in Scotland. All of the collaborative projects will support a net zero, health and wellbeing economy with the principles of fair work and sustainable, inclusive growth. 

The successful projects include:

U.S. headquartered Neocycl, a green metals technology company, in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, will assess the performance of their low carbon copper recovery process – £10,000 awarded.

Real estate and finance software company SkenarioLabs Ltd, based in Finland will collaborate with the University of Edinburgh to identify the analytics, factors and data information needed to develop and tailor their software platform for potential new markets – £9,700 awarded.

Bristol-based electric aircraft manufacturer Vertical Aerospace will use expertise from the University of Strathclyde to analyse and develop an understanding of degradation of carbon fibre when carrying electric current – £9,938 awarded.

London start-up tech company, Heat Wayv, will carry out a strategic feasibility review of the application of low carbon heating technology in Scotland’s new build and retrofit housing sectors, collaborating with the University of Edinburgh – £9,410 awarded. 

Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee, launched the fund in December 2021 with a total of £100,000 over two rounds this year, aimed at attracting businesses to invest in Scotland by establishing research and development partnerships with universities. He said: “Attracting businesses to invest in Scotland is a key driver of the Scottish Government’s long-term economic wellbeing and prosperity ambitions. EY’s Annual Attractiveness Survey 2022 showed Scotland has already established itself as the UK’s top performing region for attracting inward investment, outside of London. For Scotland to remain competitive in the current challenging climate, we need ongoing close collaboration between our higher education institutions and industry in areas of our academic strengths.

“The projects chosen for the current phase of the Inward Investment Catalyst Funding align with the opportunity areas identified in our Inward Investment Plan, demonstrating that our evidence-based Plan to attract values-based investment is working. These projects also support the ambitions set out in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation to attract high quality inward investment and technologies required in emerging areas such as energy transition and the decarbonisation of transport and space.”

Howell Davies, Sector and Business Engagement Manager, Interface, said: “These projects are highly innovative and technical. They reflect the world-leading expertise Scottish universities have to offer international companies, particularly in key areas such as energy transition and decarbonisation of heat and transport.”

The Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund will open a new round of funding in September. The announcement will be launched on our website, sign up to the Interface Newsletter to ensure you hear about this funding when it’s announced. Sign up here.