This Scottish Enterprise fund helps companies in Scotland increase the impact of capital investment in their business and see its effects more quickly. It supports activities that improve workplace practices, skills and leadership capabilities in order to get the most from the investment.

Capital investment refers to money spent on a company to encourage its growth in the long term. Often this involves the purchase or upgrade of physical assets such as buildings, equipment or technology. The money for the investment can come from within the company itself or from an external source.

Focusing capital investment on key areas of your business can lead to transformational change. This can mean better productivity, innovation, and domestic and international competitiveness for your business.

The funding must be used for activities that support an existing or planned capital investment project by increasing its impact or likelihood of success, and that help create positive change within your workplace. These activities include:

• developing a fair and innovative work culture
• developing leadership and management skills in the business
• adopting new workplace practices 
• training your employees and helping them develop skills to use new technology 
• getting expert support to implement new processes
• redesigning job roles to improve productivity

The grants are available in amounts from £15,000 to £100,000, and will cover up to 50% of your eligible project costs. You will need to cover the remaining costs through other sources.

To be eligible, your company must:

• have more than 10 employees
• be based in an area of Scotland served by Scottish Enterprise – that is, Aberdeen City and Shire, the east of Scotland, Tayside and the west of Scotland
• have not already started or committed to the project before your grant offer has been accepted
• meet the Scottish Government's criteria for Fair Work and net zero

Your company must be in one of the following industries:

• manufacturing
• professional, scientific, and technical services
• information and communications 
• clean energy

The activities you wish to fund must be linked to a capital investment of at least £200,000 made in the previous 12 months, or being considered for the next 12 months. The funding must be used for activities that support this investment. It cannot be used to cover unrelated expenses.

You'll also need to show that your proposed project will not be able to proceed without support from this fund. 

The grant should be used for projects that support Scottish Enterprise’s priority areas. This means each project should help to (at least one of the following):

• create an internationally competitive energy transition industry in Scotland 
• improve innovation in future high-growth industries in Scotland 
• increase capital investment to improve Scotland’s productivity
• increase international trade

There is no cost to apply.

Grants are available in amounts from £15,000 to £100,000 and will cover up to 50% of your eligible project costs. You will need to cover the remaining costs through other sources.

You will also need to pay for the project upfront, then submit a claim with your eligible expenses by an agreed date to receive your grant.

Companies based in the area of Scotland served by Scottish Enterprise that have invested at least £200,000 in their business in the last 12 months, or that will invest this amount within the next 12 months.

Projects must be completed by 31 March 2025, and all expenses paid for by that date. Final claims should be submitted by 30 April 2025.

Your appointed Scottish Enterprise workplace innovation specialist will explain the process in more detail once your eligibility has been confirmed.

Visit the Scottish Enterprise website for more information and to apply.