Supporting a culture of business innovation 

Innovation is the lifeblood of thriving communities, and SOSE is supporting businesses and communities across the region Scotland to do things differently - whether introducing efficiencies, entering new markets, diversifying, or developing new products and processes. Find out how SOSE is supporting innovation across the South.

SOSE also offers specialist innovation services to businesses and entrepreneurs. If your business is introducing exciting new ideas, processes, services or products, creating intellectual property (IP), or developing a patentable invention, we can provide free advice.

We also offer dedicated support to women and young entrepreneurs, and are working with Codebase tech incubator as part of the Scottish Government's innovative Tech Scaler initiative.   

Businesses developing innovations need expert guidance and legal advice. Your business may be working on:

• A product eligible for R&D grants or tax benefits
• A product or process eligible for patenting
• Products or services with potential for university partnership
• Creative IP with potential for scaling or licensing

Or you may be bringing a process or service to the South of Scotland, or your local area, for the first time.

If so, we want to know about it! The SOSE team are passionate about the potential for innovation in Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway, so get in touch to discuss your project.

How we can help

SOSE has in-house advisers specialising in innovation, and can also link you to external partners in areas such as patents and IP, where appropriate. We can also support you through the patent application process, and signpost R&D services such as Interface.

For more about what we can offer, see Services. SOSE support is tailored to your business and situation, so contact us for an initial chat with a business adviser, and we’ll work together with you on next steps.