Scottish business and academic communities attempt to meet EU proposal

A Holyrood summit is being staged to ensure Scottish scientific breakthroughs can be translated into business success.

The cream of the country’s business and academic research communities will gather at the parliament next month in an effort to meet the EU’s Horizon 2020 proposals.

These have an €80bn budget between 2014 and 2020 and aim to strengthen the EU’s position in science and its industrial leadership in innovation through investment in key technologies and support for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Christina McKelvie, convenor of Holyrood’s European and External relations committeee said: “Our conference will offer a networking opportunity for good practice sharing. Stakeholders have told us how important this is.

“There will be sessions about how to get new products to market, and importantly how to make the most of the funding opportunities avaialble. Horizon 2020 aims to turn scientific breakthroughs into innovative products and services that provide business opportunities.”