Invest in Scotland

We will connect you with the
right people, in the right place,
at the right time.

Get to know Scotland

5 Reasons To invest in Scotland

Access to skills

Scotland has the highest concentration of universities in Europe, all recognised as producing ‘world-leading’ research

Universities Scotland
A country of innovation

Scotland ranks higher than any of the G8 nations for numbers of academic citations relative to expenditure on R&D

Universities Scotland
Low set-up costs

It's up to 40% more cost effective to locate in Scotland than in other parts of the UK.

Financial Times, FDI Benchmark Tool 2015
Easy access to markets

Scotland has excellent transport links, with five international airports serving over 150 destinations

VisitScotland
Get started quickly

It can take only 24 hours to register a company here, and typically two weeks to get an enterprise up and running

mygov.scot

A record year for FDI projects

The latest EY Attractiveness Survey shows Scotland attracted 122 FDI projects in 2016 to remain the UK's most attractive region for inward investment outside London

EY Attractiveness Survey 2017

How we can support your business

We've helped lots of global companies establish and grow their businesses in Scotland.

We can help you:

Find the right funding for your project
Identify the skills and talent you need
Train and develop staff
Connect with suppliers and partners
Find market opportunities

We also offer long-term support for your company through our dedicated account management service.

How we can help

Get in touch

Talk to us about doing business in Scotland.

With a network of over 40 offices in around 20 countries around the world, we can offer the tailored support you need to make your investment in Scotland a success.

Get in touch

Why Spire chose Scotland

Skilled talent, access to risk capital and the support we offer to innovative companies are among the top reasons that Californian satellite-based data specialists Spire chose to set up in Scotland.

“In terms of character, work ethic and passion for what they do, we have found the people that we have been able to attract in Scotland to be absolutely world-class.” - Peter Platzer, CEO of Spire

View video

Industries in Scotland

Businesses across a range of sectors choose to locate here to benefit from the opportunities a connected Scotland offers.

Technology

Invest in Scotland to get direct access to a pool of talented graduates in technology and engineering.
Financial services

Our skilled workforce and secure business environment make investing in Scotland the perfect choice for financial services firms.
Global business services

Skilled staff, competitive costs and a modern infrastructure make Scotland the natural location for business services and BPO companies.
Life sciences and biotech

From clinical research to commercialisation, consider Scotland your home from home to do business in Europe and beyond.
Aerospace and space

Scotland has a long history of excellence in aerospace and space technology, including satellite manufacturing.
Renewables

Scotland is already home to some groundbreaking renewables projects. Make your company part of it.
Oil and gas

With investment in North Sea's oil and gas at a 30-year high now's the time to tap Scotland's global skills and expertise.
Chemical sciences and industrial biotechnology

With exports of £4.5 billion a year, Scotland's chemical sciences sector is thriving, and we're making great strides in high-value industrial biotechnology manufacturing too.
Creative industries

Home of the fastest selling computer game in history, Scotland provides a dynamic environment for the creative industries.
Textiles

Scotland's textiles sector has a proud heritage and an enduring place on the world's fashion stage.
Tourism

Scotland has it all. Our lively cities, history, stunning scenery and coastline attract visitors from all around the world.

Connect with Scotland's sectors

Trade with Scotland

Scotland supplies a remarkable range of goods and services, from wave-powered generators to high fashion tweeds and globally-famed steaks.

Food and drink

Welcome to unspoilt landscapes, fertile land and clean air. Scotland is blessed with some of the best natural produce in the world.
Renewable energy

Across wind, wave and tidal power, we can help you find unbeatable locations, suppliers and partnerships.
Oil and gas

By finding trade partners in Scotland you'll have access to skills, expertise and technology that help drive the global oil & gas industry.
Textiles

Textiles buyers can source the finest cashmere, tartans and tweeds for fashion or interiors, or pioneering performance and medical fabrics.
Education

With 19 Higher Education institutes, Scotland has the highest concentration of universities in Europe.

Trade with Scotland

Success stories

Computershare announce Edinburgh expansion

Case study

Why Edinburgh is the right choice for Computershare

View more on Why Edinburgh is the right choice for Computershare

Case study

Why HSBC chose Scotland for its global risk and compliance operations

View more on Why HSBC chose Scotland for its global risk and compliance operations

Case study

Xilinx invests nearly £5 million in its Edinburgh research centre

View more on Xilinx invests nearly £5 million in its Edinburgh research centre

Access our case studies, guides, industry reports and comment and insights