Collaborate to innovate

We have researchers in every field of business working in partnership with regional companies, ventures, projects and organisations - helping them to solve problems.

We have the expertise for your needs

When you collaborate with us, we apply the latest academic thinking to your business challenge and work with you to create innovative solutions. We have state-of-the-art facilities, resources, equipment and machinery that you can use to test, prototype and develop new ideas and products. We also advise on and help you tap into different funding streams offered by our connections and government initiatives.

There is never a ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to innovating. That’s why we listen to your business needs and have a flexible working ethos. Our extensive experience of collaborating within many different industries and with differently sized organisations allows us to offer a bespoke partnership solution tailored to you.

State-of-the-art machinery and equipment at your fingertips

Are you interested in testing a new idea, creating a new product, or improving an existing one but don’t have the facilities, space, machinery, or software? We can help with research and development - by giving you access to our resources. Our facilities have contributed to local and global studies of significance and contributed to our reputation as a world-leading institution. We have a wide range of state-of-the-art resources relevant to many business sectors that you can access to test new ideas and/ or develop prototypes and new products.

Innovation vouchers

Looking to develop new products and services or implement a new process to improve efficiency?  A Scottish Funding Council Innovation Voucher* can help you enable you to bring fresh ideas to the table.

Innovation Vouchers fund collaborative projects between businesses and academia. These funds enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bring new academic knowledge into their business to help them innovate, develop and grow.

Knowledge transfer partnerships

If you are a business, public or third-sector organisation, you can access funding to bring in new knowledge and expertise through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership.

A KTP is a funded three-way partnership between your business, one of our academics and a recent highly qualified graduate. With a KTP, your business can improve its competitiveness, productivity and performance. You can also achieve an increase in profits, investment in plant and machinery, new jobs, staff training, as well as maintaining a sustainable culture of innovation. A KTP is part- funded by a grant to support a collaboration for 12-36 months, depending on the project and the needs of your business.