HIE innovation programme

Innovation advice, expertise and funding

HIE has practical support and funding available to help you develop ideas, products and services. 

Whether you're exploring an opportunity, solving a challenge or developing something new, we offer a range of support to help you innovate and grow.

How we can help

We provide flexible support tailored to the needs of your organisation and the stage you're at. From early ideas through to research and development projects, our innovation team can help you access the expertise, knowledge and funding needed to move forward.

Innovation advice

Our innovation specialists work with organisations across the Highlands and Islands to explore opportunities, develop ideas and identify practical next steps. We can help you think through challenges, connect with expertise and understand the support available.

Specialist expertise

We can help you access specialist knowledge and technical expertise to help investigate ideas, assess opportunities, solve technical challenges or support product and service development.

Workshops and events

Take part in workshops, webinars, learning journeys and networking opportunities designed to introduce new ideas, share best practice and build innovation skills.

Funding

Funding is available to help organisations access specialist expertise or develop innovative products, services and processes.

• Specialist advice grants
  Do you need access to technical expertise or specialist knowledge? Grants of up to £10,000 are available for eligible projects to help you investigate opportunities, assess feasibility, overcome technical challenges or move an innovation project forward.

• Research and development (R&D) grants
  If you're developing a new or improved product, service or process, grants of up to £100,000 are available to support eligible R&D projects. Funding can help organisations explore technical challenges, test ideas and bring innovations closer to market.

Is this support right for me?

We support businesses, social enterprises and community organisations across a wide range of sectors. You don't need a fully developed project to start a conversation.

If you're looking to improve how your organisation operates, explore new opportunities or develop something new, we'd be happy to discuss how we can help.

The small print

• All HIE assistance is discretionary. Making an enquiry does not guarantee that you will receive support. Where HIE cannot support your project we will endeavour to signpost you to a more relevant source of support.

• Grant awards are subject to due diligence which includes: making an assessment on the need for public funding; the viability of the business going forward; the ability of the applicant to deliver the project; the impact of the development on the economy, and the strength of the business case presented to HIE.

• 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.

Ready to get started?

Complete our enquiry form telling us a little about your organisation, the type of support you're looking for and what you're looking to achieve and a member of our team will get back to you.