<\/p>\n
Margaret Ann Macleod, the chief executive of Harris Tweed Hebrides and chair of Stornoway Port, has been named as one of six business experts selected to steer new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, businesses and third-sector organisations.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Along with a panel drawn from Orkney and Shetland, Heriot-Watt University has appointed the specialists to its Industry Advisory Board for its \u2018innovation and commercialisation project\u2019 \u2013 one of the key strands of the wider TalEntEd Islands Programme.<\/p>\n
The Scottish and UK Governments fund the TalEntEd Islands Programme through the \u00a3100 million Islands Growth Deal and offer innovation funding and dedicated support to help island organisations turn ideas into reality.<\/p>\n
The board will be responsible for reviewing applications and making decisions on funding awards, as well as ensuring applicants benefit from their experience and know-how, and expert support from the wider business, academic and innovation ecosystem.<\/p>\n
Professor Gillian Murray, the university\u2019s Deputy Principal of Business and Enterprise, said: \u201cOur Industry Advisory Board brings together a hugely experienced group of leaders who understand the opportunities and challenges of island economies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith their guidance, and through the blend of funding, academic expertise, and practical business support, this project will accelerate the journey from idea to adoption \u2013 helping the islands to become leaders in sustainable innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Steven Coutts, CEO of Shetland-based social enterprise COPE Ltd and the former leader of Shetland Islands Council, will chair the board.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cIsland communities have always been resourceful and innovative, but often the challenge is turning good ideas into something that can be scaled up and sustained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project gives people across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides the tools, funding and expertise to do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other members are:<\/p>\n
\nAlister Brown, senior innovation manager with Highlands and Islands Enterprise in Orkney
\nMatthew Finn, managing director for the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney
\nDaniel Gear, managing director of Voar Energy Ltd in Shetland
\nMargaret Keenan, senior relationship manager with the Royal Bank of Scotland in Orkney
<\/p>\n
The project is part of the wider TalEntEd Islands Programme, delivered in collaboration with the University of the Highlands & Islands, which leads on the development of work-based learning and Robert Gordon University, which leads on the growth of entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n
The Heriot-Watt team will focus on supporting innovators and enterprises to develop or adopt new products, services and processes that could strengthen local economies, bring lasting benefits to island communities and help realise the ambition for the islands to be among the first places in the UK to achieve net zero.<\/p>\n
The programme offers two levels of potential funding and collaboration:<\/p>\n
\nDevelop Awards (\u00a35,000) for early stage scoping studies, feasibility assessments and initially business planning, usually over a maximum term of three months.
\nAdopt Awards (\u00a325,000) for early-stage pilots or prototypes designed to demonstrate value and create a pathway for further investment. These will typically have a duration of six months and could be a follow-on from a Develop Award.
<\/p>\n
Alongside financial support, applicants will also benefit from collaboration with leading academics from Heriot-Watt University, the University of the Highlands and Islands and Robert Gordon University and dedicated support from an Innovation Development Manager.<\/p>\n
Another benefit is direct connections to Scotland\u2019s wider innovation ecosystem and additional potential sources of funding
Applications for the first round of awards are now open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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