19 projects are moving forward through the initiative’s second round after submitting applications at the end of 2024 – 11 are collaborative research and development projects, while eight SMEs have applied for grants through the Minimal Financial Assistance strand. Among the successful projects are businesses enhancing the adoption of industrial biotechnology processes, accelerating biomass supply chain development, creating sustainable production and manufacturing opportunities and supporting innovation in skills development.

Subject to due diligence checks, grants ranging from £25,000 to £1m will be allocated to each, designed to help innovative businesses and research groups to scale their operations and contribute to a greener economy. The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) is responsible for managing the cluster in Scotland, working in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Forth Valley College to support the cohort with technical development, becoming investor-ready and developing the necessary skills to turn ideas into commercial prospects. 

Since 2014, IBioIC has played a significant role in the growth of the industrial biotechnology sector in Scotland and beyond. The centre offers a range of support for its 300 members, including helping to attract £35m in additional funding for research and development.

Dr Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, said: “Scotland has a thriving bioeconomy, and we’re pleased to see this latest commitment from the Innovate UK Launchpad programme to support new projects that will contribute to a greener future.

“Bio-based manufacturing is key to achieving net zero targets and there are many possibilities for alternatives to fossil fuels emerging, backed by research and development. However, SMEs in this space face many challenges and to address these we are developing a range of activities as part of our role as the Launchpad cluster manager to support each participant to achieve their goals.

“We look forward to getting to know the teams behind these exciting projects and seeing the results, in due course.”

The first stage of the Launchpad in Scotland – which promotes the UK government’s goals for local economic growth by aiming to fund and support outstanding innovation projects led by businesses – saw around £1.8m allocated to 13 projects and businesses focusing on the development of green fuels, polymers, and alternative foods, among other specialisms. Several of the entrepreneurs behind these projects took to the stage to share updates at IBioIC’s 11th annual conference last week, hosted at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow.

Female-founded SilviBio was among those selected to receive Launchpad funding as part of the first stage, with an award of £88,000. Dr Alicja Dzieciol was recently recognised with an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award for her peat-free plant propagation blocks for vegetable growers, developed ahead of changing regulations to ban the use of peat in horticulture by 2030. SilviBio’s aim is to support farmers to meet the regulations in an affordable and accessible way, underpinning future food security.

As part of its leadership of the cluster, IBioIC recently appointed Kirsty Neilson as its new programme manager to support the projects involved in each stage of the Launchpad initiative. Ms Neilson previously held the role of product development manager at Marine Biopolymers – a company extracting high-value components from brown seaweeds for use in a range of applications, such as pharmaceuticals. As the first employee, she supported the business to scale up over the course of 12 years and will apply her experience and knowledge to support other emerging startups as part of her new role.

Ms Neilson said: “Being part of a startup for over a decade means that, in some ways, I have already experienced and overcome many of the challenges that the Launchpad cohort may face, and I will be able to support them to navigate their next chapter of growth.

“There are so many different sectors that come under the umbrella of industrial biotechnology, which makes it incredibly diverse and interesting. The Launchpad projects, in particular, could lead to significant growth and potential green jobs for Scotland in the future.”