Big Ideas

Heriot-Watt PhD students Arran Sykes and Harmony Li in conversation regarding a quantum sensing system. Picture: Chris Watt Photography/Heriot-Watt University

How a Scottish university is developing the 'near unhackable' quantum internet

'We're just scratching the surface with this, so the potential for growth is there,' says Greenock of Go Swag. Picture: contributed.

How this entrepreneur aims to turn gift boxes into the next Scottish unicorn

The grand front entrance of the new Edinburgh Futures Institute, the result of a major 'recycling' project which has transformed the historical Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh building into a state-of-the-art innovation hub and public space

Inside story: Look what happened to Edinburgh’s grand old Royal Infirmary

Researchers have been conducting virtual-reality and real-life tests to assess the best way of communicating to cyclists the intentions of self-driving vehicles

How can cyclists avoid crashes with driverless cars?

'Throughout my career I’ve been extensively involved with transformation projects enabled by technology,' says the NMIS CEO. Picture: contributed.

Interview: Chris Courtney, CEO of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland

Ocean Winds has erected the first turbine at its Moray West offshore wind farm in the north-east of Scotland, with workers operating out of the Port of Nigg

First giant turbine standing tall at new offshore wind farm

Gareth Williams is the co-founder and former chief executive of Skyscanner, the Edinburgh travel search site that was acquired by Chinese giant Ctrip Group in 2016. Picture: Chris Watt/Visual Media

Skyscanner co-founder to mentor intern as part of prestigious scholarship scheme

'This additional funding will support our goal to push on into an operational launch phase and scale our business when the time comes,' says Orbex. Picture: contributed.

One giant leap for Scotland's space sector as firm secures SNIB funding boost

Join The Scotsman for a day of insightful discussions and debate on the challenges and opportunities the expansion of green energy presents for the Highlands and Islands at a special conference being staged in Inverness on June 5

The future of green energy and what it means for the Highlands and Islands

There was a SpaceX Starlink rocket launch every two days in 2023 and other companies and nations are rushing to compete – the number of satellites is doubling every two years, with no sign of stopping. Picture: Max Alexander

Why we need to be custodians of the cosmos as space race gathers momentum

Keynote speaker Anne Lise Kjaer addresses the conference. Image: Sandy Young Photography

Ad Feature Scottish National Investment Bank: investing in people and the planet

Explainer Disco inferno - how Glasgow clubbers are fuelling trendy gig venue

The Berwick Bank offshore wind farm would see 304 giant turbines built in the outer Firth of Forth, around 22 miles away from St Abbs head national nature reserve – an important breeding ground for globally significant seabird species. Picture: NTS

UK’s biggest offshore wind farm needs rethink, conservationists warn

Willie Watt, chair of the Scottish National Investment Bank. Image: Nick Mailer

Ad Feature Building innovative strategies across Scotland

Sir Tom says: 'This is by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs; tailored to meet their needs and support them through accelerated growth.' Picture: contributed.

Sir Tom Hunter-backed initiative launches new search for 'next Scottish unicorn'

From left: Roy Hotrabhvanon and Hayden Ball of PlayerData who feature on the Under30s list. Picture: Stewart Attwood.

In depth: Scotland represented on prestigious ranking of young entrepreneurs

The £32 million H100 Fife demonstration project, led by gas network provider SGN, will bring green hydrogen gas to customers for the first time. Picture: PA

Are Scots in home hydrogen test project being kept in the dark over risks?

MSP Richard Lochhead says: 'Through the delivery of the Inward Investment Plan, the Scottish Government will continue to help ensure we make the most of our competitive advantages and strengths to maintain our position as a leading destination for inward investment.' Picture: contributed.

Firms progressing projects with Scots unis amid bid to grow inward investment

Temple Melville, CEO of The Scotcoin Project CIC, says the new initiative provides 'a new constituency of people and charitable organisations to support'. Picture: contributed.

'Scotland’s only search engine and only cryptocurrency' unveil new partnership

Water that collects in abandoned coal mines could be utilised to provide green heating for homes as part of a pioneering trial in Edinburgh. Picture: Neil Hanna

How supercomputers and abandoned coal mines could be harnessed to heat your home

Phillip Chambers, CEO, Orbex and Miguel Belló Mora, executive chair, Orbex. Picture by Abermedia

Sutherland Spaceport firm makes heavyweight hires ahead of 'incredible journey'

The winners of the 22nd round of Scottish Edge, who share the £1.5 million prize pot. Picture: contributed.

In depth: Scottish Edge unveils 'bold, brave and brilliant' 22nd round winners

Tom Walker is head of wind at renewables multinational Statkraft, which operates several onshore wind and solar assets in Scotland and the UK has recently opened a new headquarters in Glasgow

How wind sector deal will help meet an era-defining challenge

Arran Dewar, executive director of SIS Ventures, says: 'I am particularly pleased with the steps taken by our investee companies towards commercial growth and progress on delivery of impact.' Picture: Stewart Attwood.

In depth: key Scottish impact investment vehicle reveals positive impact to date

Alex Lusty stresses that she and Equity Gap are keen to foster female entrepreneurs. Picture: Lisa Ferguson.

Interview: Alex Lusty on Equity Gap's work turbocharging ambitious firms

Scottish Enterprise boss Adrian Gillespie has welcomed the record year 'as spin-outs are vital for Scotland’s economy'. Picture: contributed.

Scottish Enterprise notches up support of record number of academic spin-outs

The British Business Bank's £150 million pot aims to unlock additional funding to help smaller businesses in Scotland to prosper. Picture: contributed.

British Business Bank officially launches £150m fund to turbocharge Scots firms

The Scottish cohort selected for Lisbon attended a launch at sponsor Johnston Carmichael in Edinburgh, alongside Foras co-founders Dec McLaughlin, Caro Melendez, and Nick Murray. Picture: contributed.

Delegation of 48 Scots selected for entrepreneurship-focused visit to Lisbon

'As part of a people-first approach to AI, it will always require some human intervention to promote our values as moral beings.' Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto.

The importance of showcasing AI's ethical integrity - Rachel Aldighieri comment

Turbines are currently being removed from Hagshaw Hill wind farm in Lanarkshire, one of the first commercial schemes in Scotland. Picture: Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com

How repowering first-generation wind farms can ramp up green energy output

The world's oceans already soak up around a quarter of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but this absorption causes acidification that harms marine life such as corals and shellfish

How scientists aim to boost the ocean’s ability to fight climate change

The HonuWorx mothership, part of a subsea robotics project backed by the Net Zero Technology Centre in Aberdeen - the go-to tech hub for the North Sea energy industry

Boss of Scotland's net zero hub on why oil use can't just be switched off