Glasgow built its reputation by making things that changed the world. From the steam engines that powered the Industrial Revolution to a shipbuilding industry that connected the world, the city has spent generations pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Today, Glasgow is once again at the forefront of industrial innovation. By combining world-class engineering expertise with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation and smart production methods, the city is helping write the next chapter for manufacturing.
As part of Glasgow Tech Week 2026, the next edition of the Art of Possible series will explore how intelligent manufacturing, automation and digital technologies are transforming how products are designed, made and delivered – and how that’s making businesses more productive and globally competitive.
What to Expect?
- Lightning Talks – Insights from the innovators shaping the future of manufacturing.
- Panel Discussion & Q&A – Expert discussion on industry trends, challenges & opportunities — ask your questions during registration or live.
Why Attend?
- Network with manufacturers, engineers, researchers and technology leaders.
- Connect with Glasgow’s manufacturing and wider innovation ecosystem.
- Discover the technologies and talent positioning Glasgow at the next industrial revolution.
Fusion Fest is the headline event of Glasgow’s Tech Week, this years Fusion Fest is a half-day crossover event connecting the creative and tech sectors across Glasgow through a dynamic programme of ideas, experimentation, collaboration and performance. Delivered by Glasgow City Innovation District in partnership with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow School of Art, the festival brings together artists, designers, technologists, entrepreneurs, researchers, students and industry leaders to explore the growing intersection between creativity and innovation.
Through talks, performances, installations and live demonstrations, Fusion Fest will showcase the people, projects and ideas redefining the relationship between the creative and tech communities- from AI and immersive storytelling to digital design, gaming, music, performance and creative entrepreneurship.
Fusion Fest is designed to inspire new partnerships, spark conversation and open up fresh possibilities for how creative thinking and technological innovation can work together to shape industries, communities and culture.
The agenda for the event is based around the themes of Flow, Expand and Amplify. Flow: Every great idea begins in motion; Expand: When ideas move, they grow; Amplify: Ideas reach their greatest impact when they are shared.
Heather Rattray of Interface is attending this event.
Scottish college and university education is in peril. Some challenges are the same: both have flagged being under-funded but face rising costs and student needs across the board, as well as unprecedented levels of change expected over the next 10-20 years. Universities face high volatility in international student markets and levels of research funding that challenge actual costs. Colleges face uncertain skills requirements and increased community demand. Difficult conversations about the meaning of tertiary education are all under the microscope. What’s the plan to future proof Scottish college and university education?
This event is part of the Festival of Politics and is in partnership with Universities Scotland and Colleges Scotland.
Panellists include:
Gavin Donoghue is the CEO of Colleges Scotland. Previously, he was director of the college sector employers’ organisation College Employers Scotland and has served in senior roles at the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Renewables.
Claire McPherson became Director of Universities Scotland in March 2024, joining from the Scottish Government. Claire has worked in various roles in over a decade of service in the Scottish Government, including Constitutional Policy and Engagement in the lead up to the 2014 Independence Referendum and Deputy Head of the First Minister’s Policy and Delivery Unit. Prior to working for the Scottish Government, Claire served as the Deputy Director of Policy at the Scottish Funding Council.
Garrett Stell is an education correspondent with The Herald newspaper. Originally from North Carolina, he has a special interest in rural education issues, higher education and further education.
Interface’s Heather Rattray and Suzy Powell will be attending.
Join CeeD for an introductory session on Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme and find out how companies and academics can work together to secure funding, drive innovation and create impact.
This session will be delivered in collaboration with University of St Andrews, Heriot-Watt University, CeeD Scotland, Fife Chamber of Commerce and InvestFife. The session may be of particular interest to those working in advanced manufacturing, advanced materials and digital/data.
You will hear from:
- Academics/businesses with examples of funded projects.
- East of Scotland KTP Centre about application support available.
- Opportunity to network with academics and businesses.
Edinburgh Innovation’s Startup Summer Accelerator Showcase takes place on Thursday 27th August, 1–5pm at the Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Twelve of the University of Edinburgh’s most promising early-stage founders will take the stage to pitch the ventures they have spent the summer building. For some of them, the right connection made that afternoon could change the trajectory of their company, whether that’s a mentor, an early collaborator, an introduction, or simply someone willing to give them a few minutes of honest advice.
The cohort are working across a range of sectors including AI, medtech, edtech and more. They have taken part in a competitive 12-week programme supported this year by the CHAI Hub and Santander Universities.
Expect an afternoon of fast-paced pitches, insightful conversations and the chance to connect with others across Edinburgh’s vibrant startup and innovation community. There will be plenty of time to connect with fellow founders, investors and partners from across the ecosystem too.
Spaces are limited, please register.
Across two days, Innovate UK and partner organisations will share insights and learning from projects focused on innovation skills, workforce readiness, and future talent development.
The showcase will explore how innovation capability, workforce foresighting and technology roadmaps can support the UK’s future innovation economy, with sessions covering:
• Innovation skills and capability development.
• Workforce readiness for emerging technologies.
• Innovation literacy and talent readiness.
• Private sector innovation roles and skills planning.
• Data-driven approaches to future workforce development.
Day One – Innovation Skills in Action – City of Glasgow College
10:00-16:00
Venue: City of Glasgow College,City Campus, 190 Cathedral Street, G4 0RF
Kick off the Showcase with a deep dive into the skills that power innovation. Day One focuses on building capability- from understanding the core skills needed to innovate, through to embedding them at scale across regions, organisations and education providers.
Hear from leading practitioners as they explore the Innovation Skills Framework, share insights from the Greater Manchester Innovation Literacy Programme, and demonstrate how regions like Glasgow are integrating innovation skills across their ecosystems. The day also introduces work to professionalise innovation practice, helping to define the roles, standards and career pathways shaping the future workforce.
Expect practical insights, real-world examples and opportunities to connect with peers working across the talent and skills landscape.
Day Two – Workforce Futures & Frontier Technologies – Glasgow Kelvin College
10:00-16:00
Venue: Glasgow Kelvin College, Springburn Campus,123 Flemington Street, Glasgow, G21 4TD
Day Two shifts focus to the future – exploring how workforce insights, data and technology roadmaps shape the skills needed for emerging industries.
Sessions will uncover who is driving innovation in the private sector, highlight the importance of aligning technology strategies with workforce readiness, and showcase how organisations are turning foresight data into actionable skills planning.
From understanding innovation roles to preparing for future technologies, this day offers forward-looking perspectives and practical approaches to ensuring the UK workforce is ready to thrive.
Highland Business Week returns from 21-25 September 2026 with a fresh new look, exciting opportunities to connect and collaborate, and the chance to celebrate the very best of business across the Highlands.
As part of Inverness Chamber of Commerce’s new brand identity, Highland Business Week, Highland Spotlight and the Highland Business Awards have all been reimagined with a bold new visual look that reflects their growing profile and importance within the Highland business community. Whether you’re looking to grow your network, raise your profile, showcase your business or celebrate success, Highland Business Week offers something for organisations of every size and sector.
Knowledge Exchange UK Conference 2026: Knowledge Exchange for the Future will explore how universities, research organisations, businesses, policymakers, and communities can work together to shape a more resilient, innovative, inclusive and prosperous future.
After reaching full capacity in 2025, the KEUK Conference has reinforced its position as the UK’s flagship knowledge exchange forum. In 2026, it will again convene leaders from research, business, and policy to share best practice, strengthen collaboration, and inform the future direction of funding and policy.
Hosting the event at the ICC Wales will shine a spotlight on Welsh innovation and partnerships, reflecting the regional diversity and strength of knowledge exchange across the UK. As a membership organisation, Knowledge Exchange UK is committed to moving its annual event around the country, ensuring opportunities for engagement and participation are spread nationally.
Dr Alicia Greated, Executive Director of Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE) and Interface Strategic Board member will be speaking at this event.
Join Dr. Dave Hughes for the next GCoSI Deep Dive at Glasgow Science Centre, exploring entrepreneurship, invention and building deep technology in Glasgow.
Glasgow has always been a city of ideas — from engineering breakthroughs on the River Clyde to scientific and medical innovations that have shaped industries worldwide. Today, that inventive spirit is carried forward by founders, researchers and innovators turning ambitious ideas into real-world companies.
This GCoSI Deep Dive explores what it really takes to build a startup in Glasgow — tracing a line from historic invention to modern deep technology and wearable innovation. It looks beyond theory to the lived realities of spinouts, entrepreneurship and scaling technology from a Scottish base.
Join an intimate, audience-led conversation with Dr. Dave Hughes, deep-tech entrepreneur and consultant, as he reflects on his journey from academic research to company creation. Drawing on experience building wearable and sensing technologies, Dave will share the moments that mattered most, the challenges behind the headlines, and how Glasgow’s unique innovation mindset continues to shape what gets built — and how.
This isn’t a lecture — it’s a conversation shaped by you.