Wayfinder
Map your commercialisation journey from research to funding to execution
Wayfinder
Map your commercialisation journey from research to funding to execution
Wayfinder
Map your commercialisation journey from research to funding to execution
This programme is for you if
You’re a researcher developing solutions in the agri-tech or clima-tech sector
You want to see your work used to solve major global challenges
You want to commercialise your research but don’t know what to do next
You require funding and want to strengthen your next grant application
You’re considering a spinout and need to raise investment
You want to strengthen relationships with industry partners and support networks
You’re tight on time, but still want to take action
This programme is for you if
You’re a researcher developing solutions in the agri-tech or clima-tech sector
You want to see your work used to solve major global challenges
You want to commercialise your research but don’t know what to do next
You require funding and want to strengthen your next grant application
You’re considering a spinout and need to raise investment
You want to strengthen relationships with industry partners and support networks
You’re tight on time, but still want to take action
This programme is for you if
You’re a researcher developing solutions in the agri-tech or clima-tech sector
You want to see your work used to solve major global challenges
You want to commercialise your research but don’t know what to do next
You require funding and want to strengthen your next grant application
You’re considering a spinout and need to raise investment
You want to strengthen relationships with industry partners and support networks
You’re tight on time, but still want to take action
What you’ll get from the programme:
Clarity
A custom roadmap for turning your research into a commercial opportunity.
Confidence
The ability to execute your plan knowing exactly what you need to do next.
Connection
Meet investors, partners and like-minded researchers who can join you on your journey.
“Commercialising research is hard. Doing it alone is harder. We’ll help you take the first step with practical tools, peer support and a network behind you”
Dr Ian Archer,
Commerical Director
James Hutton Scientific Services
“Commercialising research is hard. Doing it alone is harder. We’ll help you take the first step with practical tools, peer support and a network behind you”
Dr Ian Archer,
Commerical Director
James Hutton Scientific Services
“Commercialising research is hard. Doing it alone is harder. We’ll help you take the first step with practical tools, peer support and a network behind you”
Dr Ian Archer,
Commerical Director
James Hutton Scientific Services
The journey
A series of hybrid workshops to map your commercialisation journey from research to funding to execution.
Workshop 1
Developing your commercialisation roadmap
22 Oct 2025
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
A dynamic workshop to help you map out the key steps in your commercialisation journey:
Develop your commercialisation roadmap
Discover the one key action that will instantly strengthen your opportunity
Identify the talent and expertise needed to realise your vision
Learn more about the JHI campus and available support
From this session you will take a meaningful step in your journey and be able to see a clear path forward. You’ll also find out how to get involved in the rest of the programme.
Workshops 2 & 3
Positioning your project for funding success
13 Nov 2025; 19 Nov 2025
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Stop hoping for funding. Start positioning yourself to win it. Every opportunity needs funding and funders want to see a clear plan. In this two-part workshop, we’ll help you position yourself for funding success by answering key questions like:
What are your biggest risks and how will you mitigate them?
Who are your ideal partners or customers?
What's the real commercial value of your opportunity?
What should you prioritise next to build momentum?
How do you present your research in funder-friendly language?
You’ll leave with material that will strengthen grant applications, help to access university funding, and engage industry partners with confidence.
By application only
Implementation coaching and support
Two months. Real momentum. Tangible results.
With your roadmap in hand, an expert commercialisation coach becomes your strategic partner, working alongside you to turn plans into progress. This isn't theory—it's hands-on execution of your next critical phase.
Through two group workshops and three one-to-one coaching sessions, you'll transform your opportunity from a promising concept into an investor-ready proposition. Your coach will push you forward, help you navigate obstacles, and ensure you're building the strongest possible case for your opportunity.
Everything builds toward the 'Innovation Summit', where you'll deliver a pitch directly to real investors, industry leaders, and strategic partners actively seeking the next breakthrough in agri-tech.
By invitation only
The Innovation Summit
19 Mar 2026
We close with the Innovation Summit — a forum for honest, solution-focused dialogue about the future of the agri-tech and clima-tech sectors in the region.
Researchers, investors, industry leaders, and funders come together to explore the key question: How do we create the right environment and infrastructure to consistently translate breakthrough research into successful ventures in agri-tech/clima-tech?
Together we’ll explore the market realities, investment priorities, pressing industry needs, and barriers to commercialisation.
Through these strategic conversations we aim to develop practical ideas for addressing challenges related to funding, translating research, skills requirements and infrastructure needs.
The event aims to foster meaningful dialogue, inspire new collaborations, strengthen professional networks, and catalyse the sector's next phase of growth.
The journey
A series of hybrid workshops to map your commercialisation journey from research to funding to execution.
Workshop 1
Developing your commercialisation roadmap
22 Oct 2025
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
A dynamic workshop to help you map out the key steps in your commercialisation journey:
Develop your commercialisation roadmap
Discover the one key action that will instantly strengthen your opportunity
Identify the talent and expertise needed to realise your vision
Learn more about the JHI campus and available support
From this session you will take a meaningful step in your journey and be able to see a clear path forward. You’ll also find out how to get involved in the rest of the programme.
Workshops 2 & 3
Positioning your project for funding success
13 Nov 2025; 19 Nov 2025
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Stop hoping for funding. Start positioning yourself to win it. Every opportunity needs funding and funders want to see a clear plan. In this two-part workshop, we’ll help you position yourself for funding success by answering key questions like:
What are your biggest risks and how will you mitigate them?
Who are your ideal partners or customers?
What's the real commercial value of your opportunity?
What should you prioritise next to build momentum?
How do you present your research in funder-friendly language?
You’ll leave with material that will strengthen grant applications, help to access university funding, and engage industry partners with confidence.
By application only
Implementation coaching and support
Two months. Real momentum. Tangible results.
With your roadmap in hand, an expert commercialisation coach becomes your strategic partner, working alongside you to turn plans into progress. This isn't theory—it's hands-on execution of your next critical phase.
Through two group workshops and three one-to-one coaching sessions, you'll transform your opportunity from a promising concept into an investor-ready proposition. Your coach will push you forward, help you navigate obstacles, and ensure you're building the strongest possible case for your opportunity.
Everything builds toward the 'Innovation Summit', where you'll deliver a pitch directly to real investors, industry leaders, and strategic partners actively seeking the next breakthrough in agri-tech.
By invitation only
The Innovation Summit
19 Mar 2026
We close with the Innovation Summit — a forum for honest, solution-focused dialogue about the future of the agri-tech and clima-tech sectors in the region.
Researchers, investors, industry leaders, and funders come together to explore the key question: How do we create the right environment and infrastructure to consistently translate breakthrough research into successful ventures in agri-tech/clima-tech?
Together we’ll explore the market realities, investment priorities, pressing industry needs, and barriers to commercialisation.
Through these strategic conversations we aim to develop practical ideas for addressing challenges related to funding, translating research, skills requirements and infrastructure needs.
The event aims to foster meaningful dialogue, inspire new collaborations, strengthen professional networks, and catalyse the sector's next phase of growth.
The journey
A series of hybrid workshops to map your commercialisation journey from research to funding to execution.
Workshop 1
Developing your commercialisation roadmap
22 Oct 2025
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
A dynamic workshop to help you map out the key steps in your commercialisation journey:
Develop your commercialisation roadmap
Discover the one key action that will instantly strengthen your opportunity
Identify the talent and expertise needed to realise your vision
Learn more about the JHI campus and available support
From this session you will take a meaningful step in your journey and be able to see a clear path forward. You’ll also find out how to get involved in the rest of the programme.
Workshops 2 & 3
Positioning your project for funding success
13 Nov 2025; 19 Nov 2025
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Stop hoping for funding. Start positioning yourself to win it. Every opportunity needs funding and funders want to see a clear plan. In this two-part workshop, we’ll help you position yourself for funding success by answering key questions like:
What are your biggest risks and how will you mitigate them?
Who are your ideal partners or customers?
What's the real commercial value of your opportunity?
What should you prioritise next to build momentum?
How do you present your research in funder-friendly language?
You’ll leave with material that will strengthen grant applications, help to access university funding, and engage industry partners with confidence.
By application only
Implementation coaching and support
Two months. Real momentum. Tangible results.
With your roadmap in hand, an expert commercialisation coach becomes your strategic partner, working alongside you to turn plans into progress. This isn't theory—it's hands-on execution of your next critical phase.
Through two group workshops and three one-to-one coaching sessions, you'll transform your opportunity from a promising concept into an investor-ready proposition. Your coach will push you forward, help you navigate obstacles, and ensure you're building the strongest possible case for your opportunity.
Everything builds toward the 'Innovation Summit', where you'll deliver a pitch directly to real investors, industry leaders, and strategic partners actively seeking the next breakthrough in agri-tech.
By invitation only
The Innovation Summit
19 Mar 2026
We close with the Innovation Summit — a forum for honest, solution-focused dialogue about the future of the agri-tech and clima-tech sectors in the region.
Researchers, investors, industry leaders, and funders come together to explore the key question: How do we create the right environment and infrastructure to consistently translate breakthrough research into successful ventures in agri-tech/clima-tech?
Together we’ll explore the market realities, investment priorities, pressing industry needs, and barriers to commercialisation.
Through these strategic conversations we aim to develop practical ideas for addressing challenges related to funding, translating research, skills requirements and infrastructure needs.
The event aims to foster meaningful dialogue, inspire new collaborations, strengthen professional networks, and catalyse the sector's next phase of growth.
About the James Hutton Institute
The Hutton is Scotland’s leading centre for integrated research in food, land, and natural resource systems. With over 100 years of scientific excellence and 3,500 hectares of cutting-edge facilities, our multidisciplinary teams work at the intersection of agriculture, environment, and technology to deliver impact from lab to field to market.
Our vision: The innovation campus & incubator
We are creating a world-class innovation campus that will:
Support spinouts and spin-ins, creating new companies and jobs.
Provide infrastructure, talent, and investor connections to bridge startup to scale-up.
Position Scotland as a global hub for high-growth ventures in agri-tech and clima-tech.
Attract significant investment and international recognition.
Long-term goals:
100+ jobs created on site.
20+ organisations co-located and collaborating.
£100m+ leveraged investment.
Carbon-neutral operations by 2040.
Top 10 European hub in agri-environmental science.
Diverse leadership with 50% women and 20% underrepresented groups in top positions.
Taking part:
Through this training we aim to accelerate the development of the Innovation Campus and Incubator by:
Developing a pipeline of commercial opportunities to show the potential value of the sector.
Developing a network of partners who will lead the growth of the sector forward.
Increasing global awareness of the opportunities in Scotland and the UK more broadly.
Attracting additional investment into the sector.
About the James Hutton Institute
The Hutton is Scotland’s leading centre for integrated research in food, land, and natural resource systems. With over 100 years of scientific excellence and 3,500 hectares of cutting-edge facilities, our multidisciplinary teams work at the intersection of agriculture, environment, and technology to deliver impact from lab to field to market.
Our vision: The innovation campus & incubator
We are creating a world-class innovation campus that will:
Support spinouts and spin-ins, creating new companies and jobs.
Provide infrastructure, talent, and investor connections to bridge startup to scale-up.
Position Scotland as a global hub for high-growth ventures in agri-tech and clima-tech.
Attract significant investment and international recognition.
Long-term goals:
100+ jobs created on site.
20+ organisations co-located and collaborating.
£100m+ leveraged investment.
Carbon-neutral operations by 2040.
Top 10 European hub in agri-environmental science.
Diverse leadership with 50% women and 20% underrepresented groups in top positions.
Taking part:
Through this training we aim to accelerate the development of the Innovation Campus and Incubator by:
Developing a pipeline of commercial opportunities to show the potential value of the sector.
Developing a network of partners who will lead the growth of the sector forward.
Increasing global awareness of the opportunities in Scotland and the UK more broadly.
Attracting additional investment into the sector.
About the James Hutton Institute
The Hutton is Scotland’s leading centre for integrated research in food, land, and natural resource systems. With over 100 years of scientific excellence and 3,500 hectares of cutting-edge facilities, our multidisciplinary teams work at the intersection of agriculture, environment, and technology to deliver impact from lab to field to market.
Our vision: The innovation campus & incubator
We are creating a world-class innovation campus that will:
Support spinouts and spin-ins, creating new companies and jobs.
Provide infrastructure, talent, and investor connections to bridge startup to scale-up.
Position Scotland as a global hub for high-growth ventures in agri-tech and clima-tech.
Attract significant investment and international recognition.
Long-term goals:
100+ jobs created on site.
20+ organisations co-located and collaborating.
£100m+ leveraged investment.
Carbon-neutral operations by 2040.
Top 10 European hub in agri-environmental science.
Diverse leadership with 50% women and 20% underrepresented groups in top positions.
Taking part:
Through this training we aim to accelerate the development of the Innovation Campus and Incubator by:
Developing a pipeline of commercial opportunities to show the potential value of the sector.
Developing a network of partners who will lead the growth of the sector forward.
Increasing global awareness of the opportunities in Scotland and the UK more broadly.
Attracting additional investment into the sector.
Frequently asked questions
Who can join?
Any researcher, at any career stage (PhD to Professor), from any institution. UK, EU and international applicants are welcome if your work relates to agri-tech, climate-tech, or platform technologies (e.g. AI, sensors, data).
Is it only for James Hutton Institute researchers?
No. The programme is open to all researchers interested in exploring the commercial potential of their work.
How much does it cost?
It’s free. Funded by the Scottish Government Ecosystem Fund. Places are limited—each place is worth over £500.
How do I apply?
Register online. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
What’s the time commitment?
The programme runs in stages so you don’t have to commit to it all up front, you can decide if it’s for you after each workshop: 1. Workshop one is three hours of contact time. 2. Workshops two and three are each 3 hours of contact time and you are encouraged to undertake 1 hour of self-directed learning between the two. 3. The application to take part in the coaching element will be light touch and take no more than 30 minutes to submit. The Group coaching will be up to three hours each session and the one-to-one coaching sessions will fit flexibly around your schedule and take 45-60 minutes every two weeks (three sessions total). You will be encouraged to undertake additional work between sessions and this will be clearly articulated at the point of application. 4. If you are selected to present at the Innovation Summit, this will be 4 hours contact time, in-person at the Hutton.
Can I attend online?
Yes, sessions are hybrid. Both in-person and online participants get the same content, though we encourage in-person attendance for networking. If you apply for the coaching, we encourage the action planning session in-person.
Do I need commercial experience?
No. You just need curiosity and motivation. We’ll guide you through building a commercialisation roadmap.
Do I need an existing project?
Not required. If you have one, we’ll help you refine it. If not, you’ll still gain frameworks and skills for future opportunities.
What will I gain?
Practical tools, a clear roadmap, clear executable actions to start taking action, and new connections across the agri-tech ecosystem.
What happens after the programme?
We’ll help you to recognise where you can access resources available locally at your institution or through JHI. We aim to have an update on the Innovation Campus and how to partner with the Hutton during the programme.
Still not sure if it’s for you?
Email rachel@jhiinnovationhub.com—we’ll help you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Who can join?
Any researcher, at any career stage (PhD to Professor), from any institution. UK, EU and international applicants are welcome if your work relates to agri-tech, climate-tech, or platform technologies (e.g. AI, sensors, data).
Is it only for James Hutton Institute researchers?
No. The programme is open to all researchers interested in exploring the commercial potential of their work.
How much does it cost?
It’s free. Funded by the Scottish Government Ecosystem Fund. Places are limited—each place is worth over £500.
How do I apply?
Register online. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
What’s the time commitment?
The programme runs in stages so you don’t have to commit to it all up front, you can decide if it’s for you after each workshop: 1. Workshop one is three hours of contact time. 2. Workshops two and three are each 3 hours of contact time and you are encouraged to undertake 1 hour of self-directed learning between the two. 3. The application to take part in the coaching element will be light touch and take no more than 30 minutes to submit. The Group coaching will be up to three hours each session and the one-to-one coaching sessions will fit flexibly around your schedule and take 45-60 minutes every two weeks (three sessions total). You will be encouraged to undertake additional work between sessions and this will be clearly articulated at the point of application. 4. If you are selected to present at the Innovation Summit, this will be 4 hours contact time, in-person at the Hutton.
Can I attend online?
Yes, sessions are hybrid. Both in-person and online participants get the same content, though we encourage in-person attendance for networking. If you apply for the coaching, we encourage the action planning session in-person.
Do I need commercial experience?
No. You just need curiosity and motivation. We’ll guide you through building a commercialisation roadmap.
Do I need an existing project?
Not required. If you have one, we’ll help you refine it. If not, you’ll still gain frameworks and skills for future opportunities.
What will I gain?
Practical tools, a clear roadmap, clear executable actions to start taking action, and new connections across the agri-tech ecosystem.
What happens after the programme?
We’ll help you to recognise where you can access resources available locally at your institution or through JHI. We aim to have an update on the Innovation Campus and how to partner with the Hutton during the programme.
Still not sure if it’s for you?
Email rachel@jhiinnovationhub.com—we’ll help you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Who can join?
Any researcher, at any career stage (PhD to Professor), from any institution. UK, EU and international applicants are welcome if your work relates to agri-tech, climate-tech, or platform technologies (e.g. AI, sensors, data).
Is it only for James Hutton Institute researchers?
No. The programme is open to all researchers interested in exploring the commercial potential of their work.
How much does it cost?
It’s free. Funded by the Scottish Government Ecosystem Fund. Places are limited—each place is worth over £500.
How do I apply?
Register online. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
What’s the time commitment?
The programme runs in stages so you don’t have to commit to it all up front, you can decide if it’s for you after each workshop: 1. Workshop one is three hours of contact time. 2. Workshops two and three are each 3 hours of contact time and you are encouraged to undertake 1 hour of self-directed learning between the two. 3. The application to take part in the coaching element will be light touch and take no more than 30 minutes to submit. The Group coaching will be up to three hours each session and the one-to-one coaching sessions will fit flexibly around your schedule and take 45-60 minutes every two weeks (three sessions total). You will be encouraged to undertake additional work between sessions and this will be clearly articulated at the point of application. 4. If you are selected to present at the Innovation Summit, this will be 4 hours contact time, in-person at the Hutton.
Can I attend online?
Yes, sessions are hybrid. Both in-person and online participants get the same content, though we encourage in-person attendance for networking. If you apply for the coaching, we encourage the action planning session in-person.
Do I need commercial experience?
No. You just need curiosity and motivation. We’ll guide you through building a commercialisation roadmap.
Do I need an existing project?
Not required. If you have one, we’ll help you refine it. If not, you’ll still gain frameworks and skills for future opportunities.
What will I gain?
Practical tools, a clear roadmap, clear executable actions to start taking action, and new connections across the agri-tech ecosystem.
What happens after the programme?
We’ll help you to recognise where you can access resources available locally at your institution or through JHI. We aim to have an update on the Innovation Campus and how to partner with the Hutton during the programme.
Still not sure if it’s for you?
Email rachel@jhiinnovationhub.com—we’ll help you decide.
James Hutton Institute. All Rights Reserved.
James Hutton Institute. All Rights Reserved.
James Hutton Institute. All Rights Reserved.