TECHNOLOGY start-ups and businesses are invited to apply for funds to transform the dairy industry across South and West Scotland.
The ‘Research, Collaboration and Growth Funding Competition’ has been launched by the Digital Dairy Chain SRUC led project.
It offers businesses seeking support for new products and ideas, which create improvements in any part in the dairy supply chain, the opportunity to secure a share of the grant.
The overarching aim is to transform the dairy sector through investing in innovation projects, including a focus on improving productivity and sustainability.
Programme director Stuart Martin, above, said: “I’d encourage anyone currently involved in the dairy industry or with an idea which could benefit it, to contact myself and the Digital Dairy Chain team to talk this through.
“In addition to the funding opportunities, we can help facilitate partnerships and steer you towards the right people to get innovative ideas off the ground.
“With the help of local businesses, we can work towards decarbonising dairy production and manufacturing, reduce environmental impact and make ground-breaking strides towards improving productivity. By working together, we will make South and West Scotland and the North West of England a world leader in dairy production.”
The competition will officially open on April 17, with a deadline for submissions fixed at the end of May.
Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate realistic potential to support business growth and job creation, resulting from a collaborative project running over a period of six–24 months in the specified region.
And a free knowledge exchange event will take place on April 19 to explain more about the fund, with business dairy industry partners invited to attend from 10 am to 3 pm at the Easterbrook Hall in Dumfries.
