Forms of Support

Practical and financial support are also provided by a number of other business support organisations and initiatives operating in Scotland. Some of these are shown below:

Practical Support

The Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland (ICASS) initiative is supported by the Scottish Government and provides valuable free and impartial advice to early stage inventors and small firms on issues such as intellectual property protection and the commercialisation of ideas.

If you're starting a technology business with high growth potential, a team of specialists within the High Growth Start-Up Team of Scottish Enterprise may be able to help you achieve your ambitions.

Interface provides a central access point for companies, individuals and commercial organisations to Scotland's university research base. Interface sources the appropriate expertise, knowledge, skills and facilities that exist within Scotland's Universities in response to specific queries, facilitates introductions to collaborative partners and also provides advice on potential funding options.

The Innovation Relay Centre for Scotland, part of a technology & business network spanning Europe, can help you find innovative technologies, exploit your innovations, or enter development arrangements with partners in Europe. They can also help you secure EC funding for your R&D project and/or find partners or projects to join - including help with costs via the Scottish Proposal Assistance Fund (supported by the Scottish Government).

Intellectual Assets Centre: In one centre we bring together a range of expertise to help organisations realise their potential through managing their intellectual assets.

Technology Ventures Scotland has been formed to promote and accelerate the commercialisation of science and technology within Scotland.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise recognise outstanding achievement in the areas of Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development and are open to businesses of all sizes.

Job Centre Plus can offer a free service to employers through a network of offices and contact centre.  Services include:

• Advice on recruitment methods & procedures
• Information about local labour market such as employment levels, candidate availability and labour rates
• Advice where you have difficulties filling vacancies
• Advice on local recruitment events
• Access to information and expert advice about employment and training

They can also provide enhanced services to help overcome many of the obstacles associated with recruitment:

• Work trials. These allow applicants to show what they can do and allow you to access, at no cost, their suitability to the job.
• New Deal. You may benefit from financial incentives if you recruit people taking part in New Deal 25+ and New Deal for Young People.
• Special help with employing and retaining people with disabilities.

Financial Support

Scottish Enterprise has a joined up investment approach which offers risk capital investment for Scottish businesses at various stages of growth.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a highly regarded government-funded knowledge transfer programme to assist the placement of high quality graduates within companies to work on projects of strategic importance. If you are interested in participating in the KTP Programme there are dedicated centres located in the West of Scotland, East of Scotland, North of Scotland and Tayside.

The Technology Programme of the DTI offers part funding for Collaborative Research and Development to encourage businesses to explore ideas that are at an early stage of development with a view to early commercialisation.

The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) can help to fill a funding gap by investing in outstanding ideas and the people who have them.

HM Revenue & Customs offers R&D tax credits to allow for tax relief for certain R&D expenditure.

BERR'S Small Firms Loan Guarantee guarantees loans from the banks and other financial institutions for small firms that have viable business proposals but have tried and failed to get a conventional loan because of lack of security.

Business Gateway is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government and Local Authorities. Their mission at Business Gateway is to support economic development in Scotland. By bringing together a range of key services, Business Gateway delivers an effective one-stop-shop to help you grow or start your business.