News

Supporting pioneering Scottish companies

Fifteen years ago, the disconnect between small businesses and universities collaborating for R&D was obvious, however the solution on how to solve it was not.

Launch of the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2017

06 October 2016

We have launched the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2017 which recognise, reward and celebrate the impacts achieved through collaborative business and academic partnerships.

Pea and ham, from a chicken?

28 September 2016

Pea and ham, from a chicken? Now that’s clever. For those old enough to remember, these were the words uttered in the classic advert from the 1980s for Knorr Stock Cubes.

It reminds me of the unusual solutions which can arise out of business-academic collaborations matched by Interface - almost three-quarters of businesses we work with are partnered with university disciplines outwith their own industry sector.

How a student could change your business

30 June 2016

So often lack of resources within businesses means that an idea stays on the drawing board, even if it hinders business growth, but thanks to a number of initiatives linking businesses with universities, the option to work with Scotland’s top-class students from a diverse range of disciplines is more accessible than ever.

Funding boost puts sectors centre stage

29 June 2016

Groups of businesses and organisations in the creative, tourism, and food & drink industries interested in innovating will be offered dedicated support to collaborate with academic expertise, thanks to a £250,000 funding boost.

Siobhan Jordan of Interface and Alistair Cameron of Scotmas at the Scotmas

Interface on matching business with expertise for a decade

15 June 2016

Interface has emerged over the last decade as a successful broker in matching the skills and expertise of Scottish higher education with innovative businesses needing specific help to grow. Here, its director Siobhán Jordan reflects on how Interface’s own development has been mirrored by the growth of Scotmas, in discussion with its managing director Alistair Cameron.

Plastic and seaweed projects triumph

25 May 2016

Two highly innovative collaborations have won Interface Food & Drink’s legacy competition providing funding of £88,000 towards industry–academic projects.

One project will test the innovative application of pyrolysis in converting waste plastic in the farming industry while the other will test the viability of using commercially produced seaweed in animal feeds.

Launch of Specialist Facilities heralds easy-access business partnerships

11 May 2016

A new online platform showcasing the breadth of Specialist Facilities available throughout Scotland’s universities and research institutions has been launched to make the search for facilities for hire easier for entrepreneurs.

Tapping into world-class expertise

28 April 2016

Many people’s idea of engaging with universities and research institutions is to undertake research and development, however this is just one of the ways in which entrepreneurs can tap into the world-class expertise available to them in Scotland.

Sansooz looks to stand out in the crowd

31 March 2016

Not being visible at night is one of the main contributing factors that results in a pedestrian or cyclist being killed or injured every hour in the UK. With this knowledge in mind, Aberdeen entrepreneur Sooz Chirino of SanSooz has created a fashionable solution aimed to help prevent these terrible road incidents from happening.

Invent, invest, innovate: Scotland’s global impact

24 March 2016

This year has been designated the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design (#IAD2016), with a special focus on Scotland’s innovative past, present and future.