COLLABORATIONS between Scottish businesses and academics generated £64.2 million in gross valued added (GVA) for the economy last year, supporting more than 1,060 jobs.
And Interface, the organisation which connects enterprise with academic expertise, declared the economic impact linked to its activities could rise to more than £195.3m per year. That could mean nearly 3,500 jobs will be supported if future expectations of the businesses are realised, a study by Biggar Economics has found.
Interface director Siobhan Jordan said: “With the strong focus on innovation by designing and producing the products of the future to boost growth and create jobs in the Scottish Government’s vision for Scotland, this new report shows that marrying businesses to academic expertise has already delivered significant impact on our economy.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial part in contributing to the economy and to our society and 95per cent of businesses we support have fewer than 50 employees.We have worked with thousands of companies matching them to universities, research institutes and colleges to create new products, services and processes, increase turnover, expand businesses to new markets and safeguard jobs in remote regions.”
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