Biotech institute James Hutton Institute raises £3m from Scottish Enterprise
At a glance
This article covers an investment on 6 October 2025 in the James Hutton Institute, a Dundee-based research institute specialising in high-throughput plant phenotyping and crop innovation, led by CEO Professor Colin Campbell. The institute received £3m from Scottish Enterprise, with additional backing from the Tay Cities Region Deal.
What does James Hutton Institute do?
A high-throughput plant phenotyping facility at the James Hutton Institute. It measures plant traits and responses using sensors, imaging, automated handling and AI under controlled climate conditions.
Why is James Hutton Institute useful?
Problem
Crop breeders and researchers face slow crop innovation because assessing plant traits across many samples and climates is time consuming. This delays development of climate-resilient and low-input crop varieties.
Solution
James Hutton Institute explains that it uses a high-throughput phenotyping facility with sensors, lasers, automation and AI. This speeds discovery of useful traits and helps breeders develop climate-resilient crops faster.
How much did James Hutton Institute raise?
James Hutton Institute received a £3m investment from Scottish Enterprise. This makes it the 11th largest funding round in October 2025 (18 recorded). It stands 299th for 2025 (490 total) in the Startupmag database, as of 6 October 2025.
For details on how Startupmag compiles its rankings, view our Methodology.
Who invested in James Hutton Institute?
Key investors in this announcement include:
- Scottish Enterprise: Scotland’s national economic development agency that provides funding and support for business growth, innovation and infrastructure across sectors including industrial biotechnology and agriculture.
- Tay Cities Region Deal: A regional investment programme that channels UK and Scottish government funding into infrastructure and innovation projects across the Tay Cities region, including innovation centres and research facilities.
- UK Government: Central government providing funding through regional deals to support economic development, research commercialisation and infrastructure projects.
- Scottish Government: The devolved government that funds regional economic development and innovation initiatives, working with partners to support research, industry collaboration and job creation.
In the funding announcement, Adrian Gillespie from Scottish Enterprise said:
The new phenotyping equipment, supported by Scottish Enterprise, builds on existing facilities at The James Hutton Institute including the International Barley Hub and the Advanced Plant Growth Centre. The cutting-edge facilities in Invergowrie combine innovative technology for the industrial biotechnology and agricultural sectors and will help create hundreds of new jobs, boost productivity and support scale-ups to benefit the Scottish economy.
The investor added that Scottish Enterprise's support will enable more businesses to use the facilities to translate research into commercial ventures with potential to scale.
If you're researching potential backers in this space:
- Explore our list of biotech venture capital firms in the UK
- Browse our directory of biotech angel investors in the UK
Who founded James Hutton Institute?
Professor Colin Campbell is the founder of James Hutton Institute.
In the funding announcement, Professor Colin Campbell explained:
This is a very welcome investment from Scottish Enterprise as this equipment is facilitating some of the most pioneering research into crop resilience being carried out anywhere in the world. In a recent economic impact report from BiGGAR into the Hutton, it was noted that for every £1 of funding received, we deliver £15 in economic value for the UK economy, of which £9 is retained in Scotland.
The company continued that the investment enables it to use science to secure a more sustainable future, keep food costs down, protect livelihoods and contribute to the economy.
Where is James Hutton Institute based?
James Hutton Institute is based in Dundee, UK.
What sector is James Hutton Institute in?
James Hutton Institute operates in the biotechnology sector. Biotechnology uses biology to improve crops, medicines, and industrial processes. In simple terms, it turns biological science into practical solutions for health, food and the environment.
Key trends and challenges in Biotech:
AI and automation in research
AI, lab automation and high throughput phenotyping speed discovery, for example mapping thousands of plant traits per week.
Commercialisation and scaling
Turning lab breakthroughs into products is slow, needing trials and regulatory approvals like variety registration.
Climate resilience and controlled environment farming
Biotech focuses on climate resilient crops and controlled environment farming, for example breeding drought tolerant varieties and vertical farms.
For a deeper look at innovation in this space, see the biotech startups in the UK.
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