Forward Thinking newsletter

CeeD News

35 businesses with high-growth potential have shared £1.5 million in the latest Scottish Edge pitching competition. The 23rd round included two new cash and advice prizes worth £100,000 and £80,000 for Una Watch (a recent CeeD member through our Sow the Seeds programme) and Talonmore Drinks respectively.

Joe Pacitti, CeeD MD, was delighted to help present the series of Wild Card winners on the night, highlighting the valued partnership between Scottish Edge and CeeD through increased working and sharing of vision to help entrepreneurial companies unlock challenges on their journey. Joe commented: "It was great to see so many winners on the night who either represent or are connected to engineering, manufacturing and technology themes."

Round 24 opens for application in July 2024 so look out for Scottish Edge announcements next month!

New Members

We would like to welcome the following new members to the CeeD community:

Celtic Renewables - their patented process takes low value by-products, residues, and waste from a wide range of industries, such as food and drinks production, and converts them into high value green chemicals – bioacetone, biobutanol and bioethanol. Their green chemicals generate up to 70% less carbon emissions than their fossil-based counterparts and have high-value applications in multiple industries such as cosmetics, home and healthcare. Plus, Celtic Renewables directly displace chemicals made from gas and oil in the manufacturing process and lower the carbon footprint of everyday products like skin creams, nail varnish, household cleaning products, paints, medicines and vitamins.

Danu Robotics - Edinburgh based technology and engineering company that has developed a series of AI-guided robotic waste management systems for waste management companies to significantly increase their recycling efficiency, productivity and profitability.

So Connect - a leading IT Managed Services Provider which offers comprehensive solutions, from IT to Cybersecurity, Cloud to Connectivity and Telecoms, all of which are designed to create efficiencies, make your team more productive and prepare your business for growth.

Events

Here's an update on our upcoming events. You can also find all our events here.

• 11 June - Energy Sector Knowledge Sharing with Forster Group, Utili-Tay, and Genista Energy. REGISTER

Opportunity to discuss the latest innovations that can improve your energy impact, identify cost reductions and a route to net zero.

• 13 June - Partner event: Transformative Leadership: Cultivating Culture to Drive Performance. REGISTER

This workshop is being run by the Manufacturing Skills Academy at NMIS and will look at the leadership legacy from the industrial age and the challenges facing businesses regarding leadership for the 21st Century. It will look at how modern emphasis on culture aligns with lean manufacturing and the leadership paradigm shifts necessary to maximise engagement from the team.

• 18 June - Partner event: International Tax Day (Glasgow). REGISTER

If you have, or are looking to have, an international footprint (be that boots on the ground or import/ exports), you may wish to attend this event in Glasgow where Ernst & Young will provide a global tax update with their International Tax team focussed on recent developments in the US, LATAM and APAC (India, China and ASEAN), plus representatives will join from EY's Africa and Australia tax desks.

Topics covered will include Tax policy landscape around Pillar 2, minimum taxes, transparency, substance and ESG measures and interaction with latest country updates; Changes in country and domestic law impacting mid-sized MNEs including incentives for new investments and new tax levies; and - Controversy updates in relation to cross-border transactions. 

• 25 June - Partner event: Indo-Pacific Webinar. REGISTER

UK Government and their partners supporting UK companies to access business opportunities across the Indo-Pacific, as well as help to navigate the support available.

• 25 June - Engineering is for women: How to increase women in engineering roles. REGISTER

Together with Flexibility Works, CeeD is hosting a morning of insightful panel discussions to inspire and support employers to move the dial on gender diversity. In particular, you’ll hear from female engineers on what has helped or hindered their careers thus far.

• 27 June - Growth 500 Day 3: Innovation. Members Only. Find out more

• 11 July - Are your devices maximising your data potential, unlocking the ultimate value/power of AI? REGISTER

The traditional automation pyramid in manufacturing consists of many standalone applications with poor interconnections and data silos. Zühlke will share with you some examples of best practise they have worked on from across the globe.

• 25 July - Getting Investment, Securing Funding, R&D Tax Credits. REGISTER

Angel Investor Brian Williamson will take you through the investment journey, including insights into R&D tax credits. While this session is aimed at earlier-stage businesses, anyone who believes they could benefit is welcome.

Business News & Support