SeedPod | ONE

Led by Opportunity North East (ONE), the transformational project will put the region's businesses at the forefront of innovation, productivity and sustainability, increasing high-value exports and creating new jobs. It will play a key role in green economic recovery, helping businesses and the sector deliver low-carbon production and contribute to net-zero goals.

SeedPod aims to increase sector turnover by 5% per annum. It will help established companies accelerate growth through innovation and technology adoption, market and product development, global consumer focus and provide start-up production space and development facilities for high-growth new businesses.

SeedPod includes £10 million of capital funding provided jointly by the UK Government and Scottish Government via the Aberdeen City Region Deal (ACRD) – a partnership between both governments, ONE, Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council. ONE has committed £4.4 million of funding towards the delivery of SeedPod’s objectives and has set up Food Hub (NES) Limited with an industry board to take the project forward. Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is a strategic delivery partner and is providing the site for SeedPod. The Scottish Government's Just Transition Fund is providing £3.1 million for the project.

SeedPod will be located on SRUC's Craibstone campus near Aberdeen and is due to open in 2024.

It will be the go-to place to deliver north east Scotland's ambition to grow the size and value of its £2.2 billion food and drink sector. It will stimulate and support a consumer-focussed, customer-driven approach across all areas of the industry to inspire established businesses to innovate and grow and to nurture the next generation of start-ups in the region.

SeedPod will create opportunities to pilot advanced manufacturing processes and technology, scale-up production, inspire new product development and provide access to global market insights. It will offer bespoke programmes and specialist facilities, including incubator commercial-grade manufacturing units; development kitchens; full-service managed production and storage space; presentation areas; co-working and collaboration space.