£465k Digital And Innovation Support Programme Announced

1st October 2019

Businesses in the Highlands and Islands looking to develop their use of digital technology and innovation are set to benefit from a new £465,000 support programme.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announced the investment on Monday 30 September 2019 at a digital collaboration event to launch the refreshed #hellodigital facility in An Lochran, Inverness.

More than 2,500 businesses across the region are expected to benefit from the programme. Over the next three years it will deliver specialist advice and events on topics such as data innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), sensors and internet of things (IoT), as well as robotics and cyber resilience. The programme will also be accessible to established community groups and social enterprises.

David Oxley, HIE director of business growth, said:"This is about helping businesses become more productive, efficient and competitive through increased adoption and use of digital technology. The investment will also enable us to attract other funding through more collaboration and partnership initiatives.

"The programme aligns with digital provision available across HIE, as well as Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise and The Scottish Government. It will focus on the ambitions set-out by The Scottish Government Digital Strategy and Enterprise and Skills review for co-creation of programmes, collaboration, simplifying processes and achieving best value."

Digital Economy Minister Kate Forbes said:

"The Scottish Government wants to put Scotland at the forefront of the digital and technological revolution, and create a world leading digital economy. That can only be achieved by collaborating with, and drawing upon the experience and skills of, industry experts, academic leaders, and the business community in this country and further afield. Events like today's play a vital part in bringing together those groups and create a platform for innovation and collaboration."

The partnership event today was represented by organisations and programmes from across Scotland involved in supporting the development and growth of Scotland's Digital Economy. They include The Data Lab Innovation Centre, Centre for Sensors and Imaging Systems (CENSIS), Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), DigitalBoost (Business Gateway), ScotlandIS, EIT Digital, IoT Scotland and Interface.

Businesses are signposted to support from the Digital Development Loan and Cyber Voucher Scheme. The skills and talent pipeline is essential to digital economy growth in Scotland and a focus for all organisations represented, in particular the University of the Highland and Islands STEM, Science Skills Academy, Newton Rooms and CodeClan.

Also announced was the creation of a new Digital Economy Programme Board and Industry Advisory Group for Highlands and Islands.

A new collaboration meanwhile will include cybersecurity events and support for rural businesses across the Highlands and Islands. This involves the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Police Scotland and is supported by The Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Unit.

The digital and innovation support programme investment by HIE is in addition to the agency's wider support for technology and innovation running until 2023. This includes HIE’s current investment in Phase 2 of The Data Lab Innovation Centre, CENSIS and Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) - a total investment of £1.25m over 5 years.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

8/10/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Innovation and AI: New opportunities for businesses across the Highlands and Islands

Innovation has always been a defining characteristic of businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands.   Whether developing new products, finding ways to overcome the challenges of distance and geography, improving services, or identifying new markets, organisations across the region have a long track record of adapting and evolving.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scottish Cities Alliance Investment Conference to showcase Highland opportunities

Inverness will welcome government representatives, investors, business leaders and economic development partners later this week as it hosts the Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investor Event.  A two-day programme designed to showcase investment opportunities across Inverness, the Highlands and Scotland's city regions.  

29/9/2026 : Local Authority

Are We Trying to Save Britain’s Towns Without Planning Their Future?

Walk through almost any British town centre and you can see the evidence of change.   There are empty shops where there were once businesses.  

26/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

September is Scottish Start-Up Month – could your business idea become a reality?

September has become a month when Scotland's aspiring entrepreneurs are being encouraged to take a closer look at an idea that may have been sitting in the back of their minds for some time.   Scottish Start-Up Month, led by Business Gateway, has returned for 2026 with a simple message: if you have an idea for a business, this could be the month to take the first step.  

22/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Scotland and Ireland Strengthen Economic Links Between Gaelic Communities

Scotland and Ireland Strengthen Economic Links Between Gaelic Communities Scotland and Ireland are developing closer links between their Gaelic-speaking communities, with housing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, tourism and the marine economy among the areas being explored for future cooperation.   The initiative was highlighted during a visit to Skye by Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, who met representatives of Highland organisations including Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Highland Council.  

22/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

AI Support For Businesses In Highland

Businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands are being supported to explore the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence (AI) through two new support initiatives launched today by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as part of AI Scotland.   Applications are now open for the new AI Adoption Programme and AI Mentoring Support service, which are designed to help organisations understand, assess and implement AI technologies that can improve productivity, boost innovation and support growth.  

21/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

£1.78m innovation programme to benefit 500 businesses

A new three-year programme (14 September) is expected to help more than 500 businesses and social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands to innovate and grow.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a £1.78m budget to fund the programme, which builds on ten years of innovation support by the agency.  

11/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
HIE appoints new area manager for Caithness and Sutherland

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed Claire Wilson as its new area manager for Caithness and Sutherland.   Claire succeeds Eann Sinclair, who retired after eight years as area manager and more than three decades with HIE.  

8/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Public sector investment supports floating offshore wind foundations development for Highlands

Plans to produce floating offshore wind foundations at Port of Ardersier have taken a step forward with the approval of more than £778,000 in Scottish Government funding.   Approval was given by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) after close collaboration with Scottish Enterprise’s international arm, Scottish Development International (SDI), to secure the project for Scotland.  

1/9/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Scotland Is Attracting the Investment But Where Is Caithness and Sutherland's Share?

There is an encouraging message in the latest investment figures for Scotland.  There is also a question that should matter particularly to Caithness and Sutherland.