Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) has welcomed the recent publication of the Scottish Government’s Ideas to Impact: Scottish Spinouts Report, which sets out the nation’s strengths, ambitions and ongoing progress in supporting research commercialisation.

The report (published on 11 February 2026), highlights Scotland’s commitment to accelerating the journey from research breakthroughs to real world impact, underpinned by new metrics and a coordinated public sector framework for the next five years.

Positioning Scotland as an 'innovation nation', the report details government investment and strategic support aimed at transforming academic ideas into successful companies, skilled jobs, and solutions that address major global challenges. This includes the relaunch of the Proof of Concept Fund, designed to help researchers develop prototypes and de risk emerging technologies - an initiative also welcomed across the higher education sector.

The report also emphasises the vital role universities play in the research commercialisation ecosystem, with Scotland now home to more than 240 active spinouts, reflecting steady year on year growth and a 56% increase since 2016/17.

Fiona Mason, Head of Business Engagement and IP Commercialisation at Edinburgh Napier University, welcomed the report, saying:

“We welcome the recent publication of the Scottish Government’s Ideas to Impact: Scottish Spinouts Report, which highlights the strength and momentum of Scotland’s innovation ecosystem. At Edinburgh Napier University, we are proud to be recognised as the top Scottish modern university for research power and impact (Research Excellence Framework 2021) and as a top 10 UK university and second in Scotland for generating successful spin-out companies (Octopus Ventures 2023). This achievement reflects our strong applied research culture and our growing portfolio of high-impact companies in areas such as cybersecurity, renewables and therapeutics.

"We also welcome the Scottish Government’s renewed commitment to early-stage innovation support, including the relaunch of the Proof of Concept Fund, which will help researchers take transformative ideas from lab to market.

"We look forward to building on this momentum and working with government, industry and fellow universities to help ensure that Scotland continues to lead in turning ideas into meaningful impact.”

Strengthening Scotland’s innovation pipeline

The Ideas to Impact report outlines how strategic investment, including planned funding for life sciences, venture creation support, and shared university innovation services, aims to ensure Scotland remains globally competitive in turning research into commercial opportunity.

By setting out a clear monitoring framework, the Scottish Government has signalled a long-term commitment to sustaining and growing the nation’s innovation capacity. This approach recognises universities as key engines of economic and societal value, echoing sector wide responses that applaud the focus on early stage commercialisation and future-proofing Scotland’s research strengths.

A strong position for Edinburgh Napier

As Scotland continues to strengthen its innovation infrastructure, Edinburgh Napier University stands well placed to contribute to the next phase of growth. With a track record of successful spinouts and applied research excellence, the University is already demonstrating the transformative potential of academic innovation, both for Scotland’s economy and for global challenges.

Spin-out successes at Edinburgh Napier University to date include: 

• LastingAsset
• Mercel
• Cyacomb
• Celtic Renewables
• MemCrypt
• Symphonic Software
• ZoneFox