Global Entrepreneurship Case Studies - Scottish Funding Council

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This week is Global Entrepreneurship Week and we’re showcasing some of the work of Scotland’s universities in working with industry and driving innovation.

In early 2025, the Scottish Funding Council enabled an ‘External Expert Fund’, as part of a series of investments in collaborative Knowledge Exchange & Innovation activity aligned to recommendations of The Scottish Government’s Entrepreneurial Campus Blueprint. Every university in Scotland received £5,000 to support engagement with External Experts in a capacity that fits their ambitions to support entrepreneurial ambitions of their staff, students, or wider community.

By documenting and sharing stories like these, we can raise the profile our entrepreneurial campuses, and promote even more innovation and impact emerging from our universities.

New QMU and Heriot-Watt - Collaboration to Transform Patient Healthcare

Queen Margaret University (QMU) is driving forward its innovation and entrepreneurial activities with the establishment of a new Practitioner in Residence post. The position, which will bring together expertise and innovative solutions in healthcare and digital technology across QMU and Heriot-Watt University, will help improve and transform the delivery of healthcare services in Scotland.

Dr Lisa Salisbury, Reader in Physiotherapy, takes up the role, which will see QMU progress new collaborative projects with the Global Research Institute (GRI) in Health and Care Technologies at Heriot-Watt.

Lisa, who is a highly accomplished clinician with extensive NHS experience, will lead collaboration across the areas of nursing, allied health professions and health science practice at QMU with Heriot-Watt’s GRI. The aim is to generate more multidisciplinary research and collaborations that will improve health outcomes for patients in the NHS and community health settings.

Made possible with part-funding from the Scottish Funding Council, the move will facilitate the pooling of key expertise across the two institutions to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative new solutions to significant global health challenges. The collaboration between healthcare practice and advanced technology will support the delivery of sustainable person-centred care.

Dr Lisa Salisbury said:

“QMU offers the largest range of nursing and allied health profession training in Scotland and Heriot-Watt University is developing innovative technology and engineering solutions to the most pressing health challenges of our time. Through a unique interdisciplinary and patient centred approach, we are combining the expertise of engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, and researchers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in health and care innovation.”

Professor Richard Butt, Deputy Principal of QMU, said:

“We are delighted to announce our first Practitioner in Residence appointment during the Scottish Government’s Innovation Week 2025.”

University of St Andrews - Alumni Founders Networks

University of St Andrews using the funds to establish Alumni Founders Networks, a chance to reconnect with entrepreneurial alumni.

Thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems benefit tremendously from engagement with entrepreneurial alumni, and this has underpinned the formation of the St Andrews Alumni Founders Community in 2025. The Community aims to offer valuable connections and resources and provides a unique platform for alumni to give back to the University, share their experiences, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Harry Bremner graduated from the University of St Andrews and went on to found several entrepreneurial ventures, including Tuggs, an award-winning sustainable dog food company. His businesses have grown significantly, and Tuggs has received prestigious recognitions, including a Scottish Young Edge award and finalist status at the Santander Sustainability SDG Awards 2022.

Harry actively engaged with the entrepreneurial students and researchers during St Andrews’ Innovation Week 2024, sharing his experience in startup development and sustainable innovation to inspire and accelerate the startups and spinouts during a live episode of the Entrepreneurship Centre podcast.

The University of St Andrews has seen a growing number of startups and spinouts in recent years, and they have great ambitions to create even more. With a vibrant ecosystem of support — from founders like Harry Bremner, through the Entrepreneurship Centre, and emerging initiatives such as the St Andrews Alumni Founders Community — University of St Andrews are well positioned to realise these ambitions.

The lasting relationship with Harry is one example of how University of St Andrews is engaging with external experts to contribute to the entrepreneurial ambitions of their staff, students, and wider community.