This investment supports research and development projects aimed at driving sustainability and reducing environmental impact in the industrial biotechnology sector.
Supporting 19 Innovative Projects
Nineteen projects are advancing through the initiative’s second round after submitting applications at the end of 2024. Among them, eleven are collaborative research and development projects, while eight SMEs have applied for grants through the Minimal Financial Assistance strand. The selected projects focus on enhancing industrial biotechnology adoption, accelerating biomass supply chain development, and fostering innovation in sustainable production, manufacturing, and skills development.
Grants to Scale Green Technologies
Subject to due diligence checks, grants ranging from £25,000 to £1 million will be allocated to each project. These funds will help innovative businesses and research groups scale their operations and contribute to a greener economy. The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) manages the cluster in Scotland, in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise and Forth Valley College. Their role includes providing technical support, assisting with investor readiness, and developing the necessary skills to turn ideas into commercial success.
IBioIC’s Role in Industrial Biotechnology Growth
Since 2014, IBioIC has played a key role in growing the industrial biotechnology sector in Scotland and beyond. With a network of 300 members, the centre has facilitated over £35 million in additional research and development funding.
Dr. Liz Fletcher, director of business engagement at IBioIC, stated: “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 many alternatives to fossil fuels are emerging, backed by research and development. However, SMEs in this space face significant challenges. To address these, we are developing activities as part of our role as the Launchpad cluster manager to support participants in achieving their goals. We look forward to working with the teams behind these exciting projects and seeing their results.”
First Stage of the Launchpad Initiative
The initial phase of the Launchpad programme in Scotland supported the UK Government’s goal of fostering local economic growth by funding innovative business-led projects. Approximately £1.8 million was allocated to 13 projects, covering areas such as green fuels, alternative foods, and sustainable polymers.
Several entrepreneurs behind these projects shared their progress at IBioIC’s 11th annual conference at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow.
Spotlight on Female-Led Innovation
Among the projects funded in the first stage was SilviBio, a female-founded company that received £88,000. Led by Dr. Alicja Dzieciol, the company developed peat-free plant propagation blocks to help vegetable growers comply with upcoming regulations banning peat in horticulture by 2030. The company’s mission is to provide farmers with affordable and accessible solutions that align with sustainability goals and food security needs.
Dr. Dzieciol was also awarded an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award in recognition of her contributions to sustainable agricultural practices.
New Leadership to Drive Bio-Based Innovation
To support the projects under the Launchpad initiative, IBioIC recently appointed Kirsty Neilson as its new programme manager. Kirsty previously served as a product development manager at Marine Biopolymers, a company that extracts high-value components from brown seaweed for various applications, including pharmaceuticals.
As the first employee at Marine Biopolymers, Kirsty played a crucial role in scaling the business over 12 years. She will now leverage her experience to help emerging startups navigate the challenges of growth within the Bio-Based Manufacturing sector.
Fostering Growth and Green Jobs in Scotland
Kirsty shared her enthusiasm for her new role: “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. I will be able to support them as they navigate their next chapter of growth. The diversity of industrial biotechnology is incredible, and these projects have the potential to create significant growth and new green jobs for Scotland in the future.”
