Innovative offer to help firms beat the gloom

AMID the current economic gloom, a helping hand has been offered to small and medium-sized businesses with the launch of a scheme to offer them expertise from two of Scotland's leading universities.

Napier and Queen Margaret Universities have launched the 2kT Innovation Fund, which gives small businesses the chance to apply for awards of up to £5000 to help them improve their processes or solve problems. Companies will also receive business development support from industry experts.

Dr Brendan McGuckin, Napier's Director of 2kT, said: "Innovation is the lifeblood of any successful economy.

"The university partnership is focused on making the skills of our academics available to business."

"The 2kT Innovation Fund will help them access our patents and the expertise of our extensive academic base at Napier and Queen Margaret, tailoring our offering to suit the company need."

Ilona Mair, of Queen Margaret's University, added: "Many small companies have the potential and ambition to grow and develop through strategic innovation, but just don't have the resource or access to the expertise to help them achieve their goals."

More information is available from www.2kT.org.uk