£1.3m package of support for Islands innovation

Heriot-Watt University is offering young entrepreneurs, businesses and third-sector organisations across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides a new opportunity to develop and grow their innovative ideas through the TalEntEd Islands ‘Innovation & Commercialisation’ project.

This £1.3m programme is funded by the Scottish and UK Governments through the £100 million Islands Growth Deal and offers innovation funding and dedicated support to help island organisations turn ideas into reality.

This project is part of the wider TalEntEd Islands Programme, delivered in collaboration with the University of the Highlands & Islands, which leads on the development of work-based learning and Robert Gordon University, which leads on the growth of entrepreneurship.

The Heriot-Watt team will focus on supporting innovators and enterprises to develop or adopt new products, services and processes that could strengthen local economies, bring lasting benefits to island communities and help realise the ambition for the islands to be among the first places in the UK to achieve net zero.

Professor Gillian Murray, Heriot-Watt University’s Deputy Principal of Business and Enterprise, said: “At Heriot-Watt, we see real potential for Scotland’s islands to become superclusters of innovation and build the economies of the future – places where talent, research and enterprise come together to develop solutions for a low-carbon world.

“The transition to Net Zero isn’t just an environmental imperative; it’s a huge economic opportunity, and island communities are perfectly positioned to lead the way in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable materials and circular economy practices.

“Our role is to help accelerate that journey by connecting entrepreneurs with world-class academic expertise, practical business support and the wider innovation ecosystem. By doing this, we’re not just helping individual companies grow, we’re helping to unlock long-term economic and social value for entire communities.”

What support is available?

• The programme offers two levels of potential funding and collaboration:
• Develop Awards (£5,000) for early stage scoping studies, feasibility assessments and initially business planning, usually over a maximum term of three months

Adopt Awards (£25,000) for early stage pilots or prototypes designed to demonstrate value and create a pathway for further investment. These will typically have a duration of six months and could be a follow-on from a Develop Award

Alongside financial support, applicants will also benefit from:

• Collaboration with leading academics from Heriot-Watt University, the University of the Highlands and Islands and Robert Gordon University
• Dedicated support from an Innovation Development Manager
• Direct connections to Scotland’s wider innovation ecosystem and additional potential sources of funding

Heather Woodbridge, Leader of Orkney Islands Council, said: “Islanders and island communities have innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity running through their veins. 

“The TalEntEd programme, funded by the Islands Deal, could take those plans that bubble away inside folk and inside existing businesses from idea through to reality bringing much needed investment and growth to our island groups.

“I welcome the news of the funding package and look forward to seeing what it delivers.”

Councillor Emma Macdonald, Leader of Shetland Islands Council, said: “Shetland has a thriving small business sector, with high levels of start-ups. It’s great to see the Innovation Support Fund now available here to help these and new businesses innovate and grow.

“By supporting innovation and providing the resources to turn ideas into practical projects, this initiative can help Shetland’s young entrepreneurs, businesses, and community organisations to grow, diversify, and contribute to a more sustainable local economy. We look forward to seeing the creative ideas that will emerge as a result of this funding and support.”

Councillor Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, said: “The TalEntEd Islands project is an exciting opportunity for young people from the Western Isles to develop their innovative ideas into reality.

“The Western Isles are home to some fantastic entrepreneurs who have created and developed businesses which are known throughout the world. This project and its funding will hopefully encourage our younger generations, working with leading academics, to help build an economy for the future.”

How to get involved

• Whether your idea is emerging or well developed, the essential first step is to email talentedwp3@hw.ac.uk.
• The team will be back in touch to set up a conversation to confirm that this support is right for you.

Applications for the awards are now open.

For more information, visit https://www.hw.ac.uk/research-enterprise/innovation/funding-innovation-partnerships/innovation-support-for-island-enterprises.

The TalEntEd Islands Programme accelerates Net Zero solutions, addresses demographic challenges, and drives inclusive innovation across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.

Supported by the Islands Growth Deal – with funding from both the Scottish and UK Government – TalEntEd unites three leading universities: the University of the Highlands and Islands, Heriot-Watt University and Robert Gordon University.

Together, they deliver tailored work-based learning, entrepreneurship programmes and innovation-commercialisation grants to spark sustainable economic growth.

By combining each institution’s strengths, TalEntEd ensures island communities have the skills, knowledge and technology to thrive for generations to come.

The total investment is £5.9 million, with £4.4m coming from the Scottish Government and £1.5m coming from the UK Government.

The Islands Growth Deal is a 10-year package of investment that will seek to drive economic growth and the creation of sustainable jobs across the three regions.

The total value of the deal is £100m, with the UK and Scottish Governments each investing £50m, subject to approval of full business cases for each project.

Heriot-Watt leads the Islands Innovation and Commercialisation component of TalEntEd.

Renowned for its global research excellence, it brings deep industry collaboration and proof-of-concept funding to businesses in Orkney, Shetland, and the Outer Hebrides.

By focusing on research and technology transfer, Heriot-Watt helps turn bold ideas into practical solutions, driving economic growth and supporting the islands’ transition to a low-carbon future.