Partners

Enterprise Europe Scotland is a project delivered and supported by the two economic development agencies of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise (www.scottish-enterprise.com) and Highlands & Islands Enterprise (www.hie.co.uk), along with Highland Opportunity Ltd (www.highland-opportunity.com)

Scottish Enterprise         

The role of Scottish Enterprise is to support companies to achieve their potential, improve performance, create jobs, raise income and help put Scotland on a new, higher growth path. The geographic area covered by Scottish Enterprise & the Lowlands (including the Borders) is Scotlands most densely populated area (over 4.5 million) and its economic powerhouse.  This area also contains the country's biggest cities: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Stirling.  The Enterprise Europe Scotland team sit within the Innovation & Commercialisation Directorate of Scottish Enterprise, allowing us  to work closely with our colleagues helping innovative Scottish companies.

Highlands & Islands Enterprise

Highlands and Islands Enterprise's role is to enable people living in the Highlands and Islands to realise their full potential on a long-term sustainable basis. These aims will be realised by pursuing four strategic objectives; strengthening communities, developing skills, growing businesses and making global connections. The area covered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise forms the north / western half of Scotland, and is a distinct geographical area of more than 450,000 people with strong cultural and historical roots. Inverness, the capital of the Highlands and Islands, is a thriving modern city, home to over 70,000 people and a focus for administration, culture and transport.

Highland Opportunity Limited

Highland Opportunity Ltd is the Enterprise Trust for the Highlands of Scotland.  It was established in February 1986 as an initiative to meet the needs of small businesses in the Highlands by providing direct financial assistance and associated professional advice.  It is wholly owned by The Highland Council.  The Company is managed by, and integrated with, The Highland Council's Planning & Development Service, with a Board of Directors drawn from the elected members. The Enterprise Trust's aim is to encourage employment in the Highlands by fostering businesses and community enterprises by stimulating local business start-up, growth and development, supporting young entrepreneurs, making effective connections with the European Community and promoting community enterprise and operating projects which assist employers and job-seekers.

This consortium has delivered services in support of business and innovation as of 1st April 2008.  The project has secured funding from the European Commission and the partners covering a six year period.