Technology Kickstart Grant

What is it?

Our Digital and Technology Entrepreneurship Programme (DaTE) is offering a Technology Kickstart Grant of up to £10,000 to help people in the Highlands and Islands undertake early-stage research and develop a new digital or technology-led minimum viable product, process or service.

We are delivering the grant in partnership with BT.

It is designed for entrepreneurs, founders, start-ups and small enterprises with a clear digital or technology innovation and growth ambitions.

Who is eligible?

Entrepreneurs, founders, start-ups and small businesses (inc. community and social enterprises) with less than 50 employees based in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area are eligible to apply.

For this grant, technology should be central to the new minimum viable product, process or service. This could include software development, data innovation, AI, robotics, digital platforms, technology-enabled products, or other innovation-led digital business ideas with potential to grow.

Applicants must comply with our fair work conditions for financial support. If you have any questions about the fair work requirement, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk.

Who is not eligible?

• Enterprises that are not developing a new digital or technology-led product, process, or service are not eligible.

• On a case by case basis, enterprises operating primarily in retail, hospitality, personal services or general business services are unlikely to be eligible unless they are creating a clearly defined new digital or tech venture with growth potential.

• Established enterprises seeking support for routine business advice, incremental improvement, or general digital adoption activity rather than the creation of a new technology product are not eligible.

• Enterprises primarily core funded by the public sector are not eligible. Core funding does not include project funding or service level agreements with the public sector.

• Religious and political organisations are not eligible.

How much can I apply for?

You can apply for up to £10,000. You will be expected to make a contribution to your project costs, the level of this contribution will be agreed during the application process.

You will need to be able to pay for project costs upfront and submit a claim afterward to receive your grant.

The minimum amount that can be applied for is £2,000.

You will be expected to identify up to three eligible quotes or contractors as relevant to support your estimated project costs and suppliers. HIE cannot recommend suppliers, so you should choose the support that best fits your needs.

In some circumstances, HIE may signpost to other sources of support outwith this scheme.

What can the funding be used for?

The funding can be used for projects focused on the development of a minimum viable digital or technology-led product, process or service.

Digital or technologies under development that may be supported include:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning products

• Software development and software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions

• Data innovation and data-driven products

• Digital platforms, apps and online services

• Robotics, automation and cobotics

• Internet of Things (IoT) products and connected technologies

• Sensor-based products and monitoring technologies

• Cyber security products and services

• Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and immersive technologies

• Advanced manufacturing technologies, including additive manufacturing

• Technology-enabled products with proprietary intellectual property

We will also consider projects involving emerging and deep technologies, including:

• Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies

• Photonics

• Aerospace and space technologies

• Advanced electronics

• Cyber threat intelligence

• Quantum technologies

Grants will cover a proportion of eligible project costs, with applicants funding the remaining balance.

The minimum amount that can be applied for is £2,000 and tThe maximum award amount is £10,000.

Depending on your stage and needs, we may also signpost you to other organisations or support services if that would be a better fit. This grant can then help you move your business idea closer to launch.

What can the funding not be used for?

The funding cannot be used for:

• projects previously funded by HIE

• covering salary costs of payroll employees

• placements

• legal costs

• travel and accommodation costs are generally excluded from eligible costs, but they will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the applicant’s location

What are the timescales?

The scheme will remain open while there are available funds, applications will close in May 2027.

How do I apply?

To apply, please complete our enquiry form and a member of our team will get in touch.

The small print, this is important

• You will be expected to make a financial contribution to your project costs.

• All Highlands and Islands financial assistance is discretionary, and each case is based on its own merits by considering need, affordability, and the expected impact on the applicant organisation. Intervention levels will be discussed at the time of enquiry and form part of our standard due diligence case processing procedures.

• Applications will be appraised on a case-by-case basis.

• Grant awards are subject to due diligence and budget availability. As part of this, we will assess the need for public funding, the viability of the business, your ability to deliver the project, the likely economic impact, and the strength of the business case presented to HIE.

• Making an application does not guarantee funding. If your application is unsuccessful, or you are offered less than you applied for, we will explain the decision and, where possible, signpost you to other sources of support.

• You will need to commission suppliers of your own choosing. When you apply, you will also need to provide an outline brief for the work proposed, evidence that you have received at least three quotes from potential contractors and justification for your choice.

• All work must be undertaken in advance of claiming the grant, HIE will not pay grant claims ‘in advance of need’. If a business credit card is used to pay a supplier this must be stated at application stage and the credit card must be paid before the claim is made.

• Applicants must comply with our fair work conditions for financial support. If you have any questions about the fair work requirement, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk.

• There is NO appeals process. We are unable to consider a complaint purely relating to dissatisfaction as to the outcome of a funding decision. However, if you have identified a specific process failure relating to your application, then you may wish to make a formal complaint. See our formal complaints process for more information.

Need to speak to us?

If you would like to talk to someone about your enquiry, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk and we will get back to you.