GRID celebrates first Industry Open Day and Annual Report

Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID) has marked the success of its first Industry Open Day with the publication of its inaugural Annual Report, showcasing a year of investment, innovation and growing collaboration across the District. 

More than 150 representatives from business, academia and Glasgow’s innovation community attended the event (Thursday 8 October) at the Advanced Research Centre at the University of Glasgow, designed to open up GRID’s expertise, talent, facilities and support to industry while sharing the impacts and experiences of University entrepreneurs. 

Activity

The new GRID Annual Report 2025/26 highlights the scale of innovation activity across the District. The University's 30 active spin-outs have secured £149.5 million in external investment and £42.1 million in grant funding, supporting more than 350 high-value jobs. The University and its partners have also invested around £5 million in enterprise programmes, delivering 11 programmes and supporting over 70 innovation projects.  

The year also saw the opening of the £40 million-plus Health Innovation Hub within the District, while £7.5 million of City Deal investment was secured to support future commercial development. 

Investment was also made in a new multi-million-pound Mass Spectrometry Facility, strengthening research and industry access to advanced infrastructure and analytical capability. 

New initiatives include a place-based Modern Apprenticeship programme, the GRID Invest Innovate Summer School in Govan and fully-funded GRID Planning Scholarships. 

Importantly, the report demonstrates that GRID’s impact extends beyond investment and commercialisation, with more than £125,000 invested through the GRID Civic Fund in over 50 community-led projects, reaching more than 9,500 people, including over 5,500 beneficiaries connected to Govan-based organisations. Projects have supported community organisations, social enterprises, young people, environmental improvements and employability initiatives, alongside work to generate demonstrable social value through procurement.  

By continuing to invest in innovation while keeping people and communities at the core of what GRID does, we have an opportunity to build an even more vibrant regional economy and realise lasting benefits for generations to come.

Uzma Khan

Uzma Khan, Vice-Principal (Economic Development & Innovation) and Chief Operating Officer at the University of Glasgow, said: “The GRID Industry Open Day was a significant milestone for the University and its partners. Together, we have sought to create something special - a thriving innovation district focused on creating opportunities for innovation and economic growth with a relentless focus on inclusion and place-based impact.  

“The success of GRID is underpinned by meaningful partnership and collaboration - bringing businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs and partners together to deliver tangible success. 

“Our Annual Report shows that this collaboration is delivering results. From £149.5 million of investment secured by our active spin-outs and 359 highly skilled jobs supported, to more than 9,500 people benefitting from the GRID Civic Fund, we are demonstrating that innovation-led growth can deliver both economic opportunity and lasting social impact.” 

Progress

The event also premiered a new marketing film, commissioned to bring the District’s story to life through voices from across its diverse community, profiling stakeholders and GRID’s partners. The film forms part of a broader programme to unite GRID’s asset base and support with the region’s businesses, investors, researchers and collaborators.  

Uzma Khan added: “True partnership sits at the heart of our progress. By working with Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise, our education partners, businesses and community, we are strengthening Glasgow’s position and reputation as an internationally recognised destination for research, entrepreneurship and investment. 

“There is much to celebrate, but this is just the beginning. Yesterday we heard from a range of inspiring speakers on how their businesses are working with the University, how we can work with others in supporting our local communities through access to opportunities in our innovation ecosystem, and from our spin-out founders.  

“By continuing to invest in innovation while keeping people and communities at the core of what GRID does, we have an opportunity to build an even more vibrant regional economy and realise lasting benefits for generations to come.”  

• GRID leadership team at the University of Glasgow: (left to right) Uzma Khan, Vice-Principal (Economic Development & Innovation) and Chief Operating Officer; Liam Middleton, Director of Economic Development; Susie Mitchell, Head of GRID; and Michael King, Executive Director for Enterprise, Research & Innovation Services. 

Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID) is a dynamic and inclusive innovation district spanning both banks of the River Clyde. A partnership between the University of Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise, GRID brings together academia, industry, the public sector and communities to drive innovation-led economic growth.

Anchored by the University of Glasgow, GRID builds on Glasgow’s industrial heritage and world-class research, talent and infrastructure to support new and growing businesses, attract investment and create opportunities for local communities. Its strengths include health and life sciences, critical technologies and the creative industries.