More than 500 businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands are expected to benefit from a new £1.78 million innovation programme launched today.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise has opened the three year programme with grants ranging from £10,000 for early stage work to as much as £100,000 for more ambitious research and development projects.

The programme builds on a decade of innovation support from HIE and is designed to help organisations develop new ideas, improve productivity and remain competitive.

It will combine specialist advice and knowledge exchange with direct financial support for research and development.

Grants of up to £10,000 will be available to businesses looking to explore new opportunities, assess whether an idea is feasible or overcome technical problems standing in the way of development.

Larger and more complex research and development projects will be able to apply for grants of up to £100,000 to test ideas and move potential products or services closer to market.

The programme has been shaped around some of the particular challenges facing the Highlands and Islands economy.

Many communities have high concentrations of micro and small businesses, including companies operating in sectors where average productivity is lower.

Businesses in rural areas can face additional difficulties with recruitment, transport and connectivity, making investment in new technology, products and ways of working particularly important.

HIE wants the programme to help businesses improve productivity, create new products and services, contribute towards net zero ambitions and become more resilient over the longer term.

Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education Alyn Smith MSP said:

“As we set out in our ambitious Programme for Government, the Scottish Government’s aim is to make Scotland a better place to invest and do business. We want to help more businesses to start, scale, and innovate, backing growth in every region.

“It is great to see both the reach and ambition of Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s new £1.78m three-year Innovation Programme, dedicated to helping businesses and social enterprises in the region to innovate and improve productivity by combining specialist advice, knowledge exchange and grant support for research and development, to strengthen the region’s long-term economic resilience.

“I’m delighted that this programme will support 500 organisations, building on a decade of successful innovation support delivery from HIE.”

HIE Head of Innovation Gillian Galloway said:

“Innovation drives growth, competitiveness and resilience.

“That’s why it’s essential to building a strong wellbeing economy.

“The Highlands and Islands has a long history of innovation among businesses and social enterprises, as part of the agility needed to meet local challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.

“For many years now, we’ve supported clients to innovate and we look forward to building on that progress through this new programme.”

Applications for the programme opened today, 14 September, giving businesses and social enterprises across the region access to the latest round of HIE support.

Enquiries can be made via the HIE website