Innovation and Opportunity
The south of scotland is a powerhouse of innovation and opportunity, abundant creativity and outstanding natural resources.
innovation starts here
With rich natural capital assets, a strong research base and a supportive business environment, the South of Scotland is where you want to bring your business.
The region is home to a thriving community of entrepreneurs, start-ups and well-established companies that use innovative technologies to find new ways of working, across a range of sectors.
The region is overflowing with creative ideas and an abundance of raw materials, creating an environment where businesses can grow and develop.
The region is also home to The Advancing Innovative Manufacturing in the South of Scotland (AIMS) Project that was set up to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway regions.
AIMS provides equipment to demonstrate the latest technologies and resources available to support SMEs in the development and validating of new products and processes.
mAking digital history for your future
We are home to Scotland’s first Rural 5G Centre, giving you the power to connect, grow and build your business from the South of Scotland.
Combined with the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% (R100) Programme aims, which are deliver a future-proofed, national fibre network, together we are evolving Scotland as one of the best-connected places in Europe.
These programmes are complemented by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, which is improving digital and mobile connectivity across the whole region.
talent pipeline with young opportunists waiting for you
The South of Scotland is home to eight academic institutions which have a physical presence in the region:
- Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) (Barony Campus and Crichton Campus)
- Borders College (multiple campuses)
- Dumfries & Galloway College (Dumfries & Stranraer)
- Edinburgh Napier University (Glentress)
- University of Glasgow (Dumfries)
- Heriot-Watt University (Galashiels)
- University of West of Scotland (Dumfries)
- Open University (established links with colleges and universities in the region)
These institutions play a key role in the development of the skills base, producing hundreds of university graduates and thousands of college graduates every year. Being located here will ensure you have unique access to these institutions and the progressive, diverse, and digitally active talent that flows from them.
