Driving Innovation:

City of Glasgow College and Scottish IKE Partnership

As host for the Scottish Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (Scottish IKE), City of Glasgow College helps business benefit from research and innovation interventions. Scottish IKE brings an unrivalled combination of educational expertise, and an ambition to create an exciting innovation environment and opportunities for students, entrepreneurs, and businesses in Scotland and beyond.

The college’s ambitions in this area align with the Scottish Government’s 10-year plan to establish Scotland as a world-class entrepreneurial nation. In 2024 City of Glasgow College became the first organisation in the UK to simultaneously secure a combination of the Digital Maturity Assured (DMA) accreditation and the Investor in Innovations standard. The Investor in Innovations® Framework offers a 360-degree diagnostic of an organisation’s innovation position through the eyes of its customers and stakeholders.

Through a commitment to continuous improvement and embracing cutting-edge technologies, the College has set a new standard in delivering quality education that meets the demands of the digital age.  These accreditations are testament to the College’s innovative strategies, ensuring that it remains both at the forefront of educational development and a leader in shaping the future of learning.

IPHatch®: Empowering Innovation through Open Collaboration

City of Glasgow College and the Scottish IKE are proud to host the UK’s first-ever IPHatch® competition, an Open Innovation competition aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. Owned by Piece Future, an Asia-based IP investment bank, IPHatch® connects start-ups and entrepreneurs with access to patents and sustainable technologies from multinational corporations.

The goal of IPHatch® is to help start-ups leverage Open Innovation, providing access to crucial patents and networks. Key sectors targeted include Digital Healthcare, FinTech, Sustainable Energy, and AI/VR, enabling start-ups to develop impactful, scalable solutions for a greener future.

By hosting this competition, City of Glasgow College and Scottish IKE continue their commitment to driving innovation in Scotland, building a future-ready entrepreneurial ecosystem that can thrive in a fast-evolving global economy.


“Innovation is critical to the functioning of society. As host to Scottish IKE, the UK’s only professional body for innovators, we are part of an international network of institutes set up to lead development and thinking around innovation,” said Stuart. “Innovation is essential to our college as we continue to ensure our offer is responsive and aligned to the future needs, expectations and aspirations of students, industry and wider stakeholders.”

Stuart McDowell, Head of Innovation & STEM, City of Glasgow College

Last Updated: Sept 2024

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