New Support Programme Launched For Food And Drink Sector
27th September 2024
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities.
Small to medium sized enterprises in the Highland Council area that operate in the food and drink sector and its supply chain are expected to benefit from a new programme of support launched his week.
The second phase of Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities.
The programme is part of the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH), a £14.2m initiative delivered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) under the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
Phase one, currently in its second year, has helped 190 businesses through a programme of events.
The second phase will focus on helping businesses with projects that cut carbon emissions or boost productivity, or that encourage innovation and skills development for new higher-value roles.
Its aim is to encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange within and beyond the region to stimulate growth across the sector.
The £1.457m second phase of Food and Drink TechHUB is being funded with £500,000 from HIE and a further £957,000 from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
Launching the programme at a life sciences networking event at Scotland's Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC) on Inverness Campus, HIE's head of food and drink Anna Miller said:
"Food and Drink TechHUB is about creating more quality jobs and contributing to the just transition to a net zero economy. It will support Highland food and drink businesses to grow by becoming more productive and competitive as well as greener.
"There's a focus on developing new products, services and processes, as well as creating efficiencies and enhancing skills.
"We're delighted to launch the second phase of the programme and look forward to working with food and drink companies across the Highland Council area as they strengthen the industry."
The Northern Innovation Hub project is funded with £11m from UK Government, £1.2m ERDF and £2m from HIE through the Inverness and Highland City Region deal, which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and the University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
Food and drink related companies can find out more about Food and Drink TechHUB on the following link or contacting their local HIE office.
Food and Drink TechHUB
Related Businesses
Related Articles
28/11/2025
Workforce North event spotlights Highland economy
EMPLOYERS and educators from across the Highlands have gathered to hear how a new initiative is aiming to transform the region's economy. Workforce North - A Call to Action brought together business leaders and teachers from primary and secondary schools from across the Highland Council area with a wide range of partners geared towards education, learning and skills development at Strathpeffer Pavillion.
25/11/2025
Tartan challenge for UHI students offers £1,500 prize
Students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been challenged to design a tartan and be in with a chance of winning a £1,500 cash prize. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched THE COMPETITION to mark 60 years since the regional development agency (then named Highlands and Islands Development Board) was established in November 1965.
25/11/2025
The Rural AI Roadshow - How AI can help your rural business thrive
Scotland's enterprise agencies (Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise) The Scottish AI Alliance and The Data Lab have joined forces to plan and deliver an inspiring and educational Rural AI Roadshow. There will be three, one day, Rural AI Roadshow conferences taking place across Scotland in January 2026.
25/11/2025
Digital and AI innovation round-up for November
Scotland's digital future is accelerating, with AI and tech innovation transforming businesses. In this blog, HIE's Theresa Swayne shares November insights on funding, leadership, and how organisations can harness technology to stay ahead.
25/11/2025
Reflections from SEWF Rural: global lessons for the Highlands and Islands social impact economy
As we mark 60 years since the region's economic and community development agency was established, it's timely to reflect on the global aspects of our work on shaping rural futures. The recent Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) Rural Gathering in Sabah, Malaysia, welcomed changemakers from Australia, Ireland, India, Canada.
19/11/2025
Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide - FREE To Download
Scottish Enterprise's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Guide provides an overview of more than 150 organisations that support new and growing companies in Scotland. The guide includes incubators, accelerators, specialist industry programmes, co-working spaces and networking organisations.
18/11/2025
Funding approved for Wick Harbour port consultant
A specialist ports consultant has been appointed to develop a long-term strategic plan for Wick Harbour Authority (WHA) in Caithness. WHA has secured £47,775 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Nuclear Restoration Services, NRS Dounreay towards the cost of the services.
16/11/2025
Enterprise and innovation agencies join forces in new framework
Scotland's three enterprise agencies have joined the UK's national innovation agency to agree a collaboration framework that aims to help Scotland become one of the most innovative small nations in the world. The Innovation Collaboration Framework for Scotland brings together Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise and Innovate UK with a commitment to support ambitious businesses to invest in research to drive economic growth, create good jobs and help tackle major societal and environmental challenges.
8/11/2025
£3.4m HIE investment in Arnish Road, Stornoway
The project, led by the Stornoway Port Authority, will involve upgrading the full length of the 3.3km Arnish Moor Road. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a £3.4m contribution to a £7.2m public funding package for a major project to transform road access to strategic industrial and port sites on the Isle of Lewis.
4/11/2025
As HIE reaches 60, new chair says best is yet to come
The newly appointed chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) says the region is on the threshold of a new era of economic growth. Angus Campbell's term as chair began officially on 1 November - 60 years to the day since HIE's forerunner, the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) opened for business with just six employees.
Our Social Media
