Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise is a government agency with a specific role
in fostering economic growth by supporting Scottish companies to
become more competitive. Its goal is to build globally competitive
sectors, attract new investment and create a country where
world-class companies will want to do business. Renewables is
recognised as a strategic priority for the organisation and its
award winning work in the sector is wide ranging including support
for commercialisation of new technologies and access to finance to
investment in critical business infrastructure to support growth of
the industry.
We have worked closely with Scottish Enterprise since our
inception, and have been able to secure support for a broad range
of business needs, including research, sales and marketing,
leadership development and IP protection.
Scottish Enterprise has been extremely proactive and innovative
in enabling us to secure significant grants and investment,
including a £7 million equity investment from its Scottish
Investment Bank and a £976,000 research and development grant.
In 2010 we were awarded £3 million from the WATERS fund (Wave
and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support)
which is run and administered by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of a
collaborative venture involving Scottish Enterprise, Scottish
Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
In addition the day to day contact with an experienced,
enthusiastic and knowledgeable account manager has allowed us to
draw on the enterprise network's wide pool of experience and
contacts.
Following equity investment and R&D funding from Scottish Enterprise, Aquamarine Power has continued to make major progress in generating renewable energy from ocean waves, and I am delighted that the company’s innovative Oyster 800 device has been developed and built in Scotland and is now being tested in Scottish waters at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney.
Lena Wilson, Chief Executive
Scottish Enterprise