Scottish Enterprise

Funds Scottish companies pursuing innovation, exports, and clean energy transition through research and capital grants.

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland's national economic development agency, a state-backed body focused on helping companies grow, innovate, export, and move toward net zero. It operates in central and southern Scotland, while Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise serve the other regions, and it also uses the Scottish Investment Bank for equity alongside its grant work.

Its direct funding menu now centres on R&D Grant and Capital Grant, with additional targeted calls such as SMART:SCOTLAND, the Clean Energy Transition Partnership, and the CAN DO Scottish Offshore Wind Innovation Feasibility Challenge. R&D Grant supports new or significantly improved products, processes, or services with a minimum grant of £250,000 and target company spend of at least £1 million, while Capital Grant also starts at £250,000 and supports capital expenditure projects. SMART:SCOTLAND is paused for a summer 2026 relaunch and previously reached a maximum of £100,000.

The agency is most useful when a project can show commercial viability, private match funding, and a clear contribution to Scotland's energy transition, innovation scaling, or productivity priorities. It uses rolling appraisal rather than a one-size-fits-all open call, and funded companies must meet fair work and net zero conditions. That makes Scottish Enterprise a strong fit for established businesses with a concrete investment case rather than very early concept work.