New product development programme

An exciting programme to help ambitious entrepreneurs accelerate the growth and scale of their business by taking a new product or service to market. 

What is it?

The New Product Development Programme is aimed at established businesses that have a new product or service they wish to bring to market.

The programme consists of 5 sessions spread over 12 weeks split into 3 in-person and 2 online sessions for each business participating. Dates for the next cohort are shown below along with the time commitment required. 

What does it cover?

The programme will take businesses through every stage needed to bring a new product or service to market and cover the following topics: 

Session 1: On boarding and the proposition - in-person, 2-days
Dates: Tue 10 and Wed 11 September

• Programme overview and goals
• Drivers of new product development
• Opportunity identification
• Customer definition
• Assumptions and risks
• Value proposition
• Business model

Session 2: Customer centricity - in-person, 1-day
Date: Tue 01 October

• Differentiators
• Positioning
• MVP
• Change management

Session 3: Business and commercial - virtual, 2 x 2.5 hours
Date: Tue 29 October

• Funding options
• Branding

Session 4: Operations - virtual, 2 x 1.5 hours
Date: Wed 13 November

• Capabilities strategy
• Go to market

Session 5: Taking it forward - in-person, 1-day
Date: Tue 03 December

• Final action plan
• Final pitch
• Program recap and roundup

What are the benefits?

By participating on this programme, you will:

• learn the skills to develop new products and services 
• improve the likelihood of new product or service success when taken to market
• improve the value of an existing new product or service idea
• get in-depth support from experienced specialists throughout the programme
• develop a community of diverse business contacts

Outcomes

• a robust value proposition for a new product or service
• a business-wide action plan
• advanced skills to champion new product or service development across your business. 

Am I eligible?

• The programme is for established businesses that are already trading and located in the Highlands and Islands area. It is not intended for start-ups.
• Applicants must comply with HIE’s fair work conditions for grant support. For more information, please visit our fair work page. If you would like to speak to someone about the fair work requirement or need more information, please email enquiries@hient.co.uk and we will get a member of staff to contact you.

What does it cost?

There is no cost to participate in this programme, it is fully funded by HIE.

When does it start?

The next cohort will commence in September running until December 2024. 

How do I apply?

Please complete our expression of interest form to register.