HIE Skye and Wester Ross is committed to encouraging businesses to innovate, to improve their competitiveness and provide for future profitability and growth.
How can we help?
Through our Innovation Support programme, we can provide assistance towards a range of business activities. These activities can be summarised under 3 headings:
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Innovation counselling and innovation credits - Innovation counsellors can provide up to 2 days free advice on identified technical issues. Where appropriate, they can also offer Innovation Credits towards the purchase of specialist advice or information -for example, patent searches - to access design expertise or specialist databases . Innovation Credits of up to £500 are available.
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Assisted consultancy projects – Grant assistance is available towards the costs of engaging external experts to look at a range of management and technology issues. An integral part of each project is the preparation of a detailed project brief and consultancy agreement.
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Direct projects – These are projects undertaken by businesses 'at their own hand' and for which they can apply for financial assistance towards agreed project costs. Examples of eligible costs include: materials consumed; fees for trials and testing; sub-contract charges and product launch. The purpose of the assistance is to assist with the costs involved in resolving a technical problem through the development of a prototype, or in designing and testing a new process.
Who can apply for help?
Existing small and medium sized business can apply, although there are certain sector restrictions such as local service businesses. It is possible to provide the services of our innovation counsellors to individuals who require technical support to establish a business or commercialise a product or service.
Who to contact
Contact: David Pringle- Development Manager
Tel: 01478 612841 Email: david.pringle@hient.co.uk
Useful links
CORDIS - research and innovation service / Technology Ventures |