What is it?

The Food and Drink TechHUB supports food and drink producers and supply chain businesses in the Highland Council area to increase their productivity and reduce carbon emissions through access to expert advice, funding, events and networking opportunities. 

The programme enables businesses to access tailored support and funding to become more productive, competitive and greener. 

How we can help

There are five individual but complementary support offerings available from TechHUB, which can be accessed separately or at the same time, depending on your business needs.

• Networking and events - a mix of online and in-person activities, delivered by SAC Consulting, to help your food and drink business understand how technology can develop products, improve processes, increase productivity and/or reduce your carbon footprint. One-to-one support is also available for those seeking more intensive help – areas include new product development, recipe reformulation, packaging/labelling, marketing and more.
• Net zero - a blend of training and one-to-one support delivered over 12 months, to help you understand how to fully benefit from the transition to net zero and create a net zero plan. Our expert consultants, Mabbett Associates, will provide tailored guidance to baseline your carbon emissions and work towards carbon account accreditation to a recognised standard. Participants will benefit from being able to demonstrate their commitment to net zero, whilst also being able to improve efficiencies, save carbon and cut costs.
• Technology advice - tailored support of up to 10-days delivered by our contracted experts, Intelligens Consulting, focusing on a specific challenge or opportunity to help you identify affordable technology solutions to improve productivity, reduce your carbon footprint and/or lower costs. Each business will receive a bespoke and costed technology adoption plan.
• Capital grants - financial support towards the purchase and installation of technology and equipment to help you increase efficiencies with a focus on reducing emissions, improved food safety and quality control. The minimum grant award is £10,000. The maximum grant award will be at HIE’s discretion depending on your project and the outcomes it is likely to achieve.
• Training grants - financial support towards the costs of upskilling your workforce to ensure they have the skills and knowledge required to operate, implement and maintain technology that is new to your business. Training should focus on technology which provides a step change such as increased efficiencies, reduced carbon or new processes. Funding of up to £3,000 is available and can cover up to 70% of eligible project costs. 

Register your interest

Tell us more about your business and how we can help by completing the enquiry form.

Enquiries will be processed within 7 – 10 days.

Who can benefit?

The project is open to any food and drink or supply chain business based in the Highland Council area. Some support is also open to entrepreneurs and individuals with plans for setting up a new food and drink related business. Eligibility criteria applies, contact us to find out more. 

Fair work conditions apply

Any organisation applying for funding from HIE must comply with our fair work conditions for financial support. Find out more about how we work with organisations and our fair work conditionality.