A host of Scottish universities have received funding to collaborate with businesses based outside of Scotland in the latest round of the Scottish Inward Investment Catalyst Fund.

Providing awards of up to £10,000, the fund has been developed by Interface and the Scottish Government to attract and support businesses not yet located in Scotland but with an interest in developing a presence in the country. 

Among the initiatives awarded funding in this round are Alta Vision and Robert Gordon University’s project to develop an AI-powered mini-grid system designed to provide electricity in remote communities. 

With the AR-Mini, the scheme hopes to make more resilient and scalable energy systems, supporting Scotland’s goals for a fair, low-carbon economy.

Another project to win funding is a collaboration between Titanvolt and the Colin Vincent Centre for Battery Technology at the University of St Andrews.

This initiative aims to validate the performance of lithium titanium oxide pouch cell batteries under demanding conditions, supporting battery production in Scotland by strengthening the lab’s capability for advanced testing.

Meanwhile, Satore Technology, with locations across England, Portugal and the US, will team up with the CoSTAR Realtime Lab at Abertay University and the University of Edinburgh to develop new film production technologies.

The project will help develop new production practices for the innovative use of virtual and physical model sets and props systems designed specifically for use in virtual production environments.

Other ventures to receive funding include a project between Nature Based and the University of Strathclyde to assess the potential for floating kelp forests in protecting offshore infrastructure, and a collaboration between Tattva Bio and Edinburgh Uni looking into eco-friendly materials that can absorb CO₂.

Last but not least, funding will also go toward a study testing the feasibility of wearable devices to combat neurological tremors from Trem and the University of the West of Scotland

“It is encouraging to see the range of universities, both from their Scotland-wide locations and the diverse expertise they are offering, and the ambitious companies focused on key priority areas for Scotland around societal, sustainable and technology challenges,” said Howell Davies, head of strategic programmes at Interface.

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Beyond handing out awards, the Catalyst Fund aims to create opportunities for firms to build strategic relationships and gain insight into Scotland’s broader innovation landscape, such as future investment prospects, supply chain development, and the local talent pool. 

Past recipients have included the likes of Serene Health, a fintech which won funding to analyse synthetic and real consumer transaction data provided by Smart Data Foundry, and extended reality tech firm Smartify, which partnered with experts from the University of the West of Scotland on a project developing XR applications using web technologies.

“Inward investment plays an important role in ensuring Scotland’s economy grows and prospers, and the Scottish Government is committed to helping ensure the country remains the UK’s top location for inward investment outside of London and a destination of choice for global investment,” said Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s minister for business.

“The talent, innovation and expertise offered by our world-class universities and academia play a key part in attracting investors to Scotland, and the Inward Investment Catalyst Fund continues to establish and foster close collaborations with potential inward investors that can lead to future investment.”