Just eight months since its launch, the Scottish Outreach (SCOUT) Project continues to enhance its growing reputation for assisting the SME community, and their next interactive Innovation Forum is planned for March.

SCOUT is a free service which aims to accelerate and de-risk the growth of Scottish SMEs in life sciences, biochemical and chemical supply chain sectors, who are seeking or developing disruptive technologies.

Project Manager, Brian McFerran is incredibly pleased with the level of interest and engagement being generated within the Scottish SME community.

Brian said: “Having built a great team across the partner organisations of CPI, CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub (CMAC) and the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, (IBioIC), we are now creating real momentum.”

The project provides Scottish SMEs direct access to research leaders and innovative technology offerings. The partnership of CPI, CMAC Future Manufacturing Research Hub at the University of Strathclyde and IBioIC brings a wealth of experience and subject matter experts together to provide consultancy across business strategy, scientific & technology adoption- a truly unique offering to SMEs operating in the chemical and biochemical sector in Scotland.

Over the next two years, it aims to serve more than 100 Scottish SMEs through a three-pronged approach of Innovation Forums, Innovation Integrator® assessments and Deep Technical Consultancy. The £882k outreach project is jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (managed by Scottish Enterprise) CPI, CMAC and IBioIC.

Brian continued: “We held our first Innovation Forum last November, with a range of top speakers from industry focusing on lessons we can all learn from the speed with which the Covid-19 vaccine was developed.”

Building on this success, the next Forum, planned for March 17th, will focus on another of the SCOUT offerings, the Innovation Integrator® process. This structured diagnostic business tool assesses 12 factors designed to help SMEs get their inventions to market quicker and smarter, reducing cost or reducing risks by creating a roadmap for overcoming innovation challenges.

Brian added: “With the pandemic having been so difficult for us all, I am delighted the SCOUT project can offer one on one support during what is a very challenging time for the Scottish SME community.”

The team recently completed a successful Innovation Integrator® process with Dentherapy Ltd, an R&D company developing next generation therapeutic, oral, and dental care products, including Toothboost Technology.

Company CEO Carol Rafferty described the engagement with the SCOUT team as a very positive experience, in a really supportive environment, which allowed an honest self-appraisal and refresh of their roadmap to commercialisation. 

Brian said: “We already have another four Innovation Integrators® underway and I would encourage all SMEs out there to either visit our website, get in touch, or join our upcoming Innovation Forum to find out more.

“Covid-19 has made the world an even more competitive and demanding marketplace – the SCOUT project can support and help you respond to this challenge.”

Supporting Materials

Visit the SCOUT webpage.

Watch the SCOUT Intro video (2mins).

Watch the Innovation Integrator® video (3mins).

Join the SCOUT Innovation Forum on March 17th.