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Innovation is something every business can be part of. In its simplest form, it’s about improvement. It could be as unassuming as a change to internal systems, or as grand as the large-scale development of a new product or business direction.
Research tells us that innovative companies grow faster and more profitably than others. When you innovate, you are adapting your business to the changing needs of markets and consumers. This keeps you one step ahead of the competition and makes the business more likely to succeed.
Businesses that foster a culture of openness and innovation inspire employees to contribute towards business improvement and idea generation. This helps employees feel more engaged and happier at work, making them more productive as a result. Increased productivity leads to increased profits and at a faster rate.
The Highlands and Islands region is full of small to medium-sized businesses. At HIE we know that supporting SMEs to bring innovation into their business practice will benefit the whole economy in the long-term, so we’re here to help.
However you implement it, innovation makes your business stronger, more profitable and better equipped for whatever challenges it faces - so you can work on growing your with confidence.
Find out more about our innovation support.
We support businesses, communities and social enterprises through a range of support services, including advice, funding, events and property. Find out how we can help you.
HIE's innovation service can provide you with expert advice and funding to help you get your ideas off the ground.
We have R&D funding available for businesses of all sizes in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
This programme is for established businesses across the Highlands and Islands region, who are looking to develop new products or services.
Wide range of business support and funding, including business development, events, training and one-to-one workshops.
Our Innovation Argyll and Bute fund offers businesses and social enterprises grants of up to £10,000 towards innovation and R&D projects.
Innovate UK supports UK-based businesses to invest in research, development and innovation through grant funding, loans or procurements. Browse and apply for funding
Macleans Highland Bakery
Research tells us that innovative companies grow faster and more profitably than others. When you innovate, you are adapting your business to the changing needs of markets and consumers. This keeps you one step ahead of the competition and makes the business more likely to succeed.
Businesses that foster a culture of openness and innovation inspire employees to contribute towards business improvement and idea generation. This helps employees feel more engaged and happier at work - making them more productive as a result. Increased productivity leads to increased profits and a faster rate.
However you implement it, innovation makes your business stronger, more profitable and better equipped for whatever challenges it faces.
We can work with you to identify areas of operation where innovation can help you stay ahead of your competition, improve productivity, or help you reach new customers. This could be with a new product, a new process or a new business model.
Have a look at our video and hear from Macleans Highland Bakery about putting innovation into practice to meet the needs of their customers.
How are innovators made? Find out the answer in our new innovation eBook.
In this first episode of Talk Innovation, host Clare English is chatting to Michael Forbes, General Manager and Refurbishment Engineer at Renewable Parts, a supplier of new and refurbished turbine parts to the global wind energy sector.
Together, they discuss the support the business has received from the HIE Innovation team and the impact it has brought. Michael plays a key role in the Renewable Parts team, which is helping establish the business firmly as innovators in green technology for the wind industry.
In this episode of Talk Innovation our host, Clare English, is chatting to General Manager, Rob Hall, and Studio Coordinator, Calum Ferguson, at Studio Vans.
The business specialises in the creation of design-led, ready-to-go fit-outs for campervan conversions. They discuss a range of subjects including their emphasis on sustainability and how they are collaborating with designers to repurpose island ocean plastic and other materials into objects that can be reused. Studio Vans received support on their innovation journey from HIE's innovation team. Hear what the benefits have been and the impacts delivered as a result.
In this episode, host Clare English chats to the team from Arisaig-based Fuze Management Services about their new venture, The VR Hive. George Mclean, Project Manager, and Laura Sheerman, Research and Education Lead at The VR Hive explain how creating a 360°, active learning environment that dissolves the barrier between virtual and actual reality helps trainees develop their soft skills.
Our Talk Innovation podcast series is hosted by former BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland presenter, Clare English. The series features Highlands and Islands based companies doing interesting, impactful work by adopting innovative practices within their business model.
The Co-Innovate programme discussed in this podcast is supported by the European Union's INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Hear from some of the businesses we've worked with on innovation projects.
Eileen Gatt is a skilled jeweller and silversmith, who turned a former post office in the Black Isle into her studio where she creates beautiful jewellery
Find out more about aquaponics and how Gro for Good benefited from HIE innovation support in developing its local, nutritional food production.
HIE supports Argyll-based business Crùbag through its innovation service.
