ONE Newsletter August 2023

Delivering impact and value

Over the past seven years, people have gained knowledge, skills and tools to create and scale their businesses, innovate in products and processes and develop new markets through programmes and projects designed, delivered and co-funded by ONE. Industry innovation hubs are boosting the entrepreneurial ecosystem and enhancing the economic potential of growth sectors. At the same time, transformational investment is growing the visitor economy and adventure tourism.

The unique ONE activity is delivering impact and value, growth and jobs across the region:

• Digital tech business doubled their employees to 150, generated ￡10 million in new revenue and secured 50 new customers.
• Food and drink manufacturers increased turnover by ￡200 million, created 300 new jobs and secured ￡150m in sales.
• Digital transformation in agriculture supply chains has delivered ￡50m in productivity gains.
• Pre-commercialisation and accelerator programmes equipped 85 academics and researchers with knowledge and tools to take innovation to market.
• The North East Adventure Tourism project secured ￡2 million for new mountain biking, cycling and water sports infrastructure and is working with more than 100 businesses on growth, skills and market development.

To date, ￡32 million?of committed ONE investment in programmes and projects has secured partnership funding of more than ￡94 million.

ONE chair, Sir Ian Wood KT GBE, says: "ONE has created a unique private sector economic development model focused on action. The engagement and feedback from our board members and the businesses we work with, partners and co-funders are critically important as we grow momentum, action and investment in entrepreneurship and innovation. To create more innovation-led, high-growth businesses, increase productivity and provide high-value jobs."

Jennifer Craw, CEO of ONE, says: "This region is confident, has a clear purpose in diversification, and is investing in its strengths. The power to achieve economic transformation lies in creating a vibrant ecosystem that fuels high-growth businesses that will shape our future economy. Achieving this goal will require a continuing commitment to action and investment from all partners and more funding from the government to ensure that this region is a leading entrepreneurial location in the low-carbon economy. That is what a just transition looks like for north east Scotland."

Transforming our region through entrepreneurship

The ONE annual event in June developed the regional conversation on entrepreneurial growth with 160 attendees – entrepreneurs, founders, business and industry leaders, partners and stakeholders. It included presentations, panel discussions and video stories covering current activity and focus, regional and national context, and examples of entrepreneurship in growth sectors.

Facilitated roundtable work addressed three questions on perceptions of entrepreneurship and how to increase entrepreneurial activity. The common themes that emerged were entrepreneurial education and mentoring, innovation and problem-solving, specialist support and funding, the culture of entrepreneurship, and collaboration.

Facilitating and capturing the discussions provided a valuable resource for ONE and partners to draw on in shaping the next stage of delivery in entrepreneurship.

Unique mountain biking trail centre opens

A transformational ￡1.1 million investment in the Tarland Trails mountain biking trail centre in Aberdeenshire has created a new go-to destination with 18 kilometres of new trails – attracting thousands of riders and rapidly gaining international recognition.

The Tarland Development Group delivered the community-led project with funding from partners, including the North East Adventure Tourism (NEAT) project and ONE supported by the Scottish Government's Just Transition Fund, Scottish Enterprise, and Sportscotland and Scottish Cycling's joint Cycling Facilities Fund. Local fundraising and donations from businesses and private individuals also contributed.

The fantastic riding experiences, quality of the trails, setting and unique delivery partnership are attracting international recognition. More than 14,000 riders had already used the facility before its formal launch.

The Tarland Trails investment is a crucial step towards delivering the NEAT ambition for the region to be a destination of choice for the fast-growing adventure tourism market.

Industry and partners mark ONE BioHub launch

Project partners marked the formal launch of ONE BioHub in May. The iconic new focal point for life sciences commercialisation will ultimately accommodate up to 400 bio-entrepreneurs.

ONE BioHub is the new focal point for life sciences commercialisation in Aberdeen, boosting the entrepreneurial ecosystem for this significant growth sector in north east Scotland and enabling the creation of new businesses and jobs.

ONE BioHub is a ￡40 million investment in the sector's growth and will open in late summer. It provides start-up, spinout and scaling life sciences businesses tackling modern health challenges with commercialisation and growth programmes, access to mentors, expert networks and investors, incubator laboratories and offices, and fully customisable grow-on space.

ONE SeedPod construction starts

Work to create ONE SeedPod – the transformational industry innovation hub for Scotland’s food and drink industry – has started in Aberdeen, following the completion of the capital funding package and award of the construction contract.

ONE is leading and delivering the Aberdeen City Region Deal innovation project to create the new entrepreneurial environment, programmes, facilities and space for a key growth sector of the economy on Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) Craibstone Campus.

ONE SeedPod is a ￡27 million investment to enable manufacturing and production businesses to lead in innovation, productivity, sustainability, and developing foods of the future. To increase premium exports and create high-value jobs.

Robertson Construction is the main contractor, and ONE SeedPod is scheduled to open in late 2024.