By Peter A Walker
Copyright insider
A new programme to help companies manufacture deep tech products, from prototype to market, has been launched by Scottish Enterprise and partners.
The pilot programme is part of the wider Deep Tech Supercluster and those signing up will get wrap-around support from Scottish Enterprise, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), the National Robotarium, Smart Things Accelerator Centre (STAC), Highlands and Islands Enterprise, universities and the private sector.
According to the Royal Academy of Engineering’s State of UK Deep Tech report, the UK’s sector now attracts more than £5bn in annual venture capital. Deep tech industries are defined as those with substantial scientific or engineering foundations — covering fields such as quantum technologies, photonics, advanced sensors, biotechnology, robotics, satellites and advanced materials.
In Scotland, these capabilities underpin global markets such as subsea systems, medical technologies and space equipment.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes was at a Deep Tech Supercluster Programme showcase event earlier this week, held at the University of Edinburgh’s Bayes Centre.
“Deeptech is a fundamental building block of many of the technologies we use in our everyday life – as well as many others that underpin the success of future industries,“ she stated. “It represents a high-growth economic opportunity and, as such, it is vital that we harness the huge talent and innovation lying across Scotland’s technology sector.
“We want to see more companies forming, growing and manufacturing here in Scotland.
“By providing access to public and private support, this supercluster presents a step-change in how we foster deeptech companies and help them to succeed.”
Jane Martin, managing director of innovation and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “We want to work with some of Scotland’s most exciting growth prospects intensively to determine the most effective approaches to ensure they can scale here in Scotland, working with public and private partners along the way to create a really joined up system for growth.”
Among the companies showcasing was Novosound, which is developing thin-film ultrasound sensors for healthcare, subsea inspection and industrial markets.
The company’s director of research and development Daniel Irving explained: “Having gone through the journey of prototyping and productising deep tech concepts, with the invaluable support of Scottish Enterprise, it’s fantastic to see a dedicated programme now in place to back the next generation of Scottish deep tech start-ups.“
The pilot begins in November as a manufacturing pathway and will provide tailored support, investment readiness, access to manufacturing facilities and partner expertise.
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