Scaleup programmes
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Interface
Infrastructure
Impact for scaleups
£311.2m
additional GVA
4,789
jobs created
217
businesses have been supported to access expertise and facilities through the Interface matching process in the last 12 months
3,684
collaborative business-academic collaborations initiated since 2005
1,988
new/improved products, processes and services developed
Key sectors
Interface connects ambitious and scaling businesses with Scotland’s academic expertise, fostering collaborations that drive innovation and growth. By linking businesses with universities, colleges, and research institutes, it enables access to knowledge, skills, specialist facilities, and funding opportunities.
Scaleups benefit from access to laboratory space, workshops, cutting-edge equipment, and academic insight. Interface also signposts businesses to accelerators, hubs, and the wider support ecosystem, strengthening their innovation journey. Collaborative projects provide scaleups with direct engagement from students, graduates, and researchers, helping to address key business challenges.
Through its Inward Investment Catalyst Fund, Interface supports scaling businesses outside Scotland to explore collaboration opportunities with academic institutions, offering up to £10k in funding. Standard Innovation Vouchers (up to £5k) and Advanced Innovation Vouchers (up to £20k) provide match-funded support for new products, processes, and services, while sector-specific grants drive innovation in priority industries, including food and drink.
Since 2018, Interface has facilitated 1,988 new or improved products, processes, and services through 1,446 collaborations. As of July 2024, a total of 3,684 business-academic collaborations have been initiated since 2005, with 231 collaborations in the past year alone. In the past year, 217 businesses have been supported in accessing academic expertise and facilities, and £50.7 million in funding has been secured by 35 previously supported companies. Interface’s work continues to drive innovation, delivering £311.2 million in annual net additional GVA and supporting 4,789 jobs—equating to £5.17 GVA generated for every £1 invested.
In the past year, Interface has strengthened support for academics and research teams, enhancing connections with businesses and expanding collaboration opportunities. Work is also underway to fully integrate colleges, widening their role in tackling business innovation challenges through cross-sector partnerships.
Through partnerships with the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, and the Scottish Government, Interface has delivered over £1.1 million in funding to drive business-academic collaboration. The 2024 Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards highlighted the impact of these partnerships, with health and environmental innovation in the spotlight. In 2023-24, 89% of projects contributed to responsible business goals, including environmental sustainability (51%), social inclusion (61%), and equality & diversity (48%).
