26

Scaling Innovation

To reach our ambition by 2028, we will:

  • Support investment in property/accommodation for scale-ups to help companies in Scotland's future industries to grow and scale. Enable the delivery of 150,000 sq. ft. of new life science space, with an additional 100,000 sq. ft. in development over the next 5-7 years.
  • Deliver International Scale-Up Pathways aligned with services offered by partners, providing comprehensive advice, funding, networking and collaboration support for businesses with scale up potential at all development stages, from spinouts and start-ups to established and scaling companies.
  • Introduce funding and investment programmes to optimise and increase the availability of funding to help companies scale up. We will target international investors to increase Scotland's profile to the global investment community. Through this we will deliver up to £1.2bn of growth funding with £375m coming from international investors.
  • Strengthen our approach to future industry and placed-based clusters and partner with others to co-invest in innovation infrastructures.

2025/26 activities included:

  • Strategic investment in innovation infrastructure to accelerate scale-up and productivity, demonstrated through Tech Terrace at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire, where Scottish Enterprise's £4.74m investment (matched by partners) is delivering 30,000 sq. ft flexible advanced manufacturing space for high-growth firms to locate, collaborate and scale; and a £35 million Life Sciences Accommodation Programme delivering the lab space needed to accelerate high-growth companies to scale.
  • Unlocking new equity investment for Scotland's scaling companies. This has included a £4.5m New to Equity Innovation Fund which has broadened access to finance and supported investment into high-growth companies across quantum, fintech, life sciences and space.
  • Utilising our Innovation Academy model to accelerate innovation capability across 58 companies equipping each with a clear 3–5 year scaling roadmap and ongoing specialist support to drive scale, investment and global growth.