CeeD’s “Sow the Seeds” programme has officially come to an end, so we wanted to share some of the highlights.

Sow the Seeds was created with Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy in mind, with the aim of supporting early-stage entrepreneurial businesses in Engineering and Manufacturing. The programme provided 3 key areas of support.

1. “Bootcamps” were sessions hosted by members of the CeeD network, to support early-stage businesses with industry relevant knowledge and skills. These topics included Design for Manufacture, Robotics and Automation, Operational Excellence and more.
2. CPD sessions with the University West of Scotland. UWS delivered 6 sessions across 3 days on topics such as Strategy and Innovation, Digital Transformation, Winning New Markets and more. 
3. Full access to CeeD services. The Sow the Seeds cohort received CeeD membership, entitling them to the variety of benefits that come with being a part of the inner CeeD network (e.g., Growth 500).

Sow the Seeds provided 14 successful events, attended by over 200 people, across 90 different businesses within the CeeD network and beyond. 

CeeD are proud of the partnerships we have strengthened with our brilliant bootcamp hosts and partners at UWS and we thank them all for their contribution to this project. 

Some additional highlights include our Sow the Seeds table at the prestigious CeeD awards, and Trading Zone, which allowed 5 of our cohort members the chance to pitch their business needs to a room full of relevant contacts and potential partners. 

We are currently gathering insights on the impact of Sow the Seeds, and so far, 100% of our survey respondents believe that the programme has positively impacted their business.

CeeD are so glad that the programme has positively impact entrepreneurial early-stage businesses and we are looking forward to working with them all, as members of the CeeD family.

Considering Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy (Scot Gov), CeeD were keen to ensure that Innovation was at the heart of our programme. 

The 4 main priorities outlined in the strategy are Energy Transition, Health and Life Sciences, Data and Digital and Advanced Manufacturing. Our cohort included innovative businesses in a diverse range of Net Zero and sustainable pursuits. Furthermore, CeeD worked alongside wearable technology and robotics-focussed start-ups who are making progress in rehabilitative, medical and neurotechnological support. The Advanced Manufacturing priority is relevant to the companies in our cohort, and beyond, with 200+ businesses in the industry attending our Sow the Seeds events.

The strategy outlined the potential of the National Robotarium, and The National Manufacturing Institute (NMIS). CeeD have close partnerships with these businesses and included visits to both as part of Sow the Seeds. On the topic of innovation, Defankle, an early-stage Innovation Consultancy business, provided a brilliant, though-provoking bootcamp session on Inclusive Innovation and Innovation Management. 

CeeD believe that Sow the Seeds has reflected some of the goals set out in Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy, and we look forward to furthering our influence in the engineering and manufacturing innovation space.

CeeD are excited to welcome the following companies into membership as a result of the programme:

FOMO Protection
 
FOMO Protection is a sports protection brand specialising in equestrian body protectors. Founded with a mission to enhance safety and comfort for horse riders, FOMO designs and manufactures high-quality protective gear tailored specifically for equestrian sports.

Their body protectors are engineered using advanced materials and technology to provide maximum impact protection while ensuring flexibility and freedom of movement. FOMO Protection products undergo rigorous testing to meet stringent safety standards, offering riders peace of mind during training and competition.

Sealladh Automation
 
Sealladh Automation provide bespoke automation consultancy services. 

FC LABS
 
FCLabs’ technology takes the guesswork out of what's going on in your brain. Our AI-powered wearable neurotech platform gives everyone the power to measure and manage their brain fitness for the first time; to unlock better health, wellbeing and performance. We help businesses to keep their workers safe and well and improve productivity, quality, sustainability and profitability.

Sunsave Solutions
 
Sunsave Solutions increases access to electricity in Cameroon using environmentally friendly and future-oriented standalone entry-level solar home systems that are portable and can be installed in individual homes or businesses to provide clean, constant, and affordable electricity. The start-up uses a Pay-As-You-Go payment plan. PAYGo allows end-users to pay for solar electricity in weekly or monthly instalments, making it affordable.

Freedom One Life
 
Founded by a powered wheelchair user in Scotland, Freedom One Life have combined lived experience with industry-leading design to create The Series 5. Extensively tried and tested in excess of 20,000km in the real-world and certified as a medical device, the Series 5 is the only powerchair on the market with a user leading the design team.

Freedom One Life put the user at the centre of every design decision and understands that a powerchair is an extension of you, they believe that using a powerchair should not be a compromise and put reliability, safety and comfort above all else. 

Una Watch
 
Una is a modular GPS running watch that can be easily repaired or upgraded by consumers.  
Many smartwatches and fitness trackers are discarded needlessly due to a damaged LCD, diminishing battery life or a lost charging cable, contributing to the growing e-waste problem.  Una is an environmentally friendly alternative which makes it easy for consumers to purchase spare parts and make repairs at home, without requiring special tools or expertise.

Una supplements its core business by offering a design service called “Una for Industry” which allows industry customers to make modifications to the consumer device and build their own wearable.  

Silvibio
 
SilviBio is dedicated to helping growers grow more plants, more sustainably by helping growers transition off peat use. To achieve this, we design and produce peat-free growing media additives and novel peat-free media mixes made from locally available raw materials and by-products from other industries. Whether you're a glasshouse grower looking for a well performing and sustainable media, a bioeconomy enabler looking to valorise your waste stream or a researcher interested in creating collaborations, we'd love to hear from you. Together, we can help create a truly sustainable future!

J-Rao
 
J-RAO is a conscious cosmetic collective that was founded in 2017 in the City of Discovery, and UNESCO'S first (and still only) UK City of Design, Dundee Scotland. The idea behind J-RAO is simple: We believe that conscious consumerism is no longer a trend, it’s an urgency - we also believe that the cosmetic market provides a really exciting space to tackle many challenges faced by both the b2b and b2c consumer industry by manufacturing premium luxury products with ethical values. We pioneer products that are environmentally conscious, gender inclusive and embrace circular economy through design.

Britton Manufacturing
 
Amy Britton is an award winning Scottish based designer who creates contemporary heirloom accessories. Inspired by landscapes and nature, each product is designed and handmade in Scotland to the highest of standards.
A love of heritage textiles has grown over the years, as has the passion to deliver products which stand the test of time.

SolarSub
 
SolarSub is a Research and Design company developing passive cooling systems for Floating Solar panels.

Trade Right International

Trade Right International believes that social business can bring dignity and freedom to all involved, reducing the effects of poverty and social exclusion.  This can happen anywhere in the world. We are a social business, trade ethically, pay the Living Wage, and return surplus profits into valuable education and community development initiatives.

Mygo4ward

Mygo, helping to improve the mobility and the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and those with neurological disabilities. The Mygo is a soft garment exoskeleton with built in conductive transfer electrodes. It creates and boosts electrical signals to different nerves and muscles sequentially, throughout the body, helping patients stand, walk, and move functionally, where previously they were unable, or with difficulty.

Atomic Tractor

Atomic tractor is a start-up company dedicated to developing net zero off-road vehicles with robotic and autonomous capability for farming, groundscare and land management. The overarching value proposition will be straightforward technology systems that save time, cost and effort and demonstrate indisputable benefits to the user.

Wattmelon

Our mission is to facilitate the transition to sustainable transportation by providing innovative and reliable charging solutions. We believe in a cleaner and more sustainable future, and we are committed to making a positive impact on the environment.

Bioliberty

Empowering every human to live a longer independent life through assistive and rehabilitative robotics. Bioliberty is shaping a future where independence is no longer restricted by traumatic and degenerative conditions. We will empower medical professionals with life changing technology to provide exceptional social care services to improve patient outcomes.

Our Sow the Seeds hosts:

• University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
• 4c Design
• The National Robotarium
• Powered By
• The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS)
• CA Models
• Augmentum 360
• Defankle
• Flexibility Works
• Net Zero Nation
• Smart Hub Lanarkshire
• Future Factory Teamvine

We will of course continue to support early stage/entrepreneurial companies. If you would like to find out more, work with any of these businesses, or if you have any other queries about Sow the Seeds, please get in touch with the CeeD team.