Background

Established in 2005, Interface is a central hub connecting businesses from a wide variety of national and international industries to Scotland's 26 higher education and research institutes. 

Connecting businesses quickly and easily to Scotland's world class expertise, skills and research facilities, it's unique service is designed to address the growing demand from organisations wanting to collaborate with academia.

Interface's free and impartial service aims to stimulate innovation and encourage companies to consider academic support to help solve their business challenges.

Through Interface, Scottish businesses can now increase their competitiveness, develop new products, and exploit new market opportunities by connecting with academia.

How Interface Works

• We quickly establish your company requirements whether it is to solve a particular problem or help your business development activities
• We then identify a range of potential academic partners and help match the appropriate academic expertise to support your company in moving the business forward
• We also offer ongoing support, including progress monitoring, guidance and contractual and fund-raising advice

Working across Scotland to help you and your business

Although the Interface offices are based in Edinburgh we are very active in helping businesses around the rest of Scotland.

• We work very closely with Hi-links project set up to help SME's in Highlands and Islands to prosper through links with Scotland's universities, colleges and research institutes.
• We also have an office in west of Scotland where we are building strong links with key intermediaries for example the Chambers of Commerce and Business Gateway and of course helping businesses in the region to develop collaboration with Scotland's universities and research institutes.
• And we are part of the Knowledge Links for Business project, working with Targeting Innovation in the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway helping SME's grow their business through collaboration with Scotland's academic sector.