Published 26/07/2023
The city of Dundee is well known for its innovation and its developments in green energies, so much so it has been nicknamed the City of Discovery and in 2014 was named UNESCO's first City of Design in the UK.
The city is also home to the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP), a dynamic and creative home for innovators, manufacturers and skills leaders actively working towards reducing carbon emissions and fostering a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Emerging technology for a greener future
MSIP plays a key role in the response to climate change and the achievement of net zero within Scotland. Climate action and collaboration between industry, academia, government and community cuts across all activity at the Innovation Parc with the goal of building a better future for everyone, in the best way possible.
MSIP is committed to working in partnership with industry, academia, government and the local community to transform Dundee into a key location for innovation that will progress emerging technology for a greener future.
The Parc provides businesses with a range of production units, which utilise low carbon energy, to help them to grow and thrive. The Innovation Labs at MSIP also offer short-term, flexible workshops that include a Makerspace, shared amenities and collaborative space, removing as many barriers for businesses to grow as possible.
Success so far
With 12 tenants already located at MSIP, bringing 123 jobs as well as a much wider impact on the local supply chain, the Parc is already demonstrating success and delivering on its ambition.
Tenants already installed on the parc are creating world-leading technology in solar power, hydrogen and lithium-ion batteries, and electric vehicle charging technology and infrastructure.
The successful MSIP Accelerator Programme has supported 31 start-up companies, each developing a range of future-thinking products and services that will drive the journey to net zero.
In the past year, companies that have went through the MSIP Accelerator have secured £1.47m in innovation funding, £1.1m in equity investment and received product orders of over £2m. Those outputs, in part, reflect the impact of the MSIP Accelerator Programme.
MSIP's Innovation Challenge has also funded 13 companies to develop 14 projects, each looking at net zero alternatives to short term fuel provisions.
Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc exhibit © MSIP ltd
Collaboration is Key
Through an extensive and established network, MSIP can help businesses develop their products and technology further and quicker, through various help and support, including identifying investment, signposting research and development opportunities, and enabling collaboration.
With active collaborative partnerships between universities, companies, investors and industry bodies, MSIP is the place for innovators, manufacturers and academia to come together, to find new and exciting answers to today's problems.
MSIP has also built substantial links with the community. Partnerships with Eden Project, V&A Dundee, and the third sector demonstrate that MSIP understands the role it must play.
Investing in the next generation
MSIP wants to enable industries to continue to grow, thrive and lead with a competitive edge.
The Skills Academy, delivered in partnership with Dundee and Angus College and located at the Innovation Parc, is a national centre of excellence for skills development in renewable energy, sustainable mobility and decarbonisation.
The Skills Academy aims to inspire, educate and prepare the current and future workforce to support and accelerate the green recovery and Scotland's just transition to net zero.
As well as the direct skills and training provision offered at the Innovation Parc, MSIP can also enable a lower total cost of operation for businesses, by connecting them with free recruitment support through its large network of supporting partners.
MSIP wants to ensure the most competitive skills offer is available in Scotland, removing as many barriers as it can to ensure businesses can reach their full potential.
MSIP also delivers a STEM programme of engagement to inspire and build confidence in Scotland's youngest learners - and the future workforce - and demonstrate that there are promising and very real career opportunities on their doorstep. In 2022/23 over 2,000 young learners were engaged with directly as part of this programme.
What does the future hold?
MSIP's flagship Innovation Hub is scheduled to open in November 2023 - a place for everyone to come together, to find new and exciting answers to today's problems.
The Innovation Hub will benefit from hot desks, flexible meeting and events space, design labs, a digital suite, demonstration space and business support services and will sit at the core of all activity at the Innovation Parc.
MSIP anticipates several more companies will announce that they will be locating at the Innovation Parc over the next 12 months.
Cohort 4 of MSIP's successful Accelerator Programme will commence in August 2023.
The Innovation Labs are available now and about to welcome the first users of the space, and The Skills Academy will launch in Autumn 2023.
Going forward
MSIP's purpose is to create jobs, generate economic growth and respond to climate change, with a focus on sustainable mobility and decarbonisation.
The companies MSIP works with are developing world-first technology at the Parc and this is just the start.
Scotland is leading the way in ambition to net zero, and MSIP's location within Scotland is attractive for investment, as a key location to do business and collaborate.
MSIP's mission is fully aligned with net zero ambitions, not just within Scotland, but across the UK and the rest of the world. It wants to work with businesses and collaborators who have the same mindset - to tackle climate change together.
It's a hugely exciting time to be working in this field, and to have the opportunity to be part of building something positive.
MSIP is a national asset, located in Dundee. A key part of the City's landscape, and future prosperity.
To find out more visit - www.msipdundee.com