Heriot-Watt leads the way with 2025 Innovation in Business Award

Heriot-Watt University has secured the Innovation in Business Award at the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2025, held on 27 February.

The award, sponsored by Forth Ports Limited and with LNER as the headline sponsor, recognises Heriot-Watt’s pioneering research, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and longstanding commitment to advancing quantum and photonics technology. By forging dynamic partnerships with leading organisations, the University has created an environment where innovation thrives, and new discoveries quickly move from the lab to real-world application.

Central to this success is the University’s global partnership ecosystem, which draws together industry, academia, and government. This collective effort drives impactful projects such as the Integrated Quantum Network Hub, setting fresh standards in secure communication and underpinning the rapid development of next-generation digital infrastructure. Another keystone of this work is the HOGS Optical Ground Station on Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh campus, a remarkable facility that exemplifies Scotland’s growing role in shaping the global future of photonics and quantum science.

Equally significant has been Heriot-Watt’s long-running strategic partnerships with leading organisations such as ASML, now in its third phase. These collaborations highlight the University’s emphasis on translational research and future talent development, bringing together different disciplines to tackle some of the world’s most pressing technological challenges. The award’s timing also coincides with the UNESCO International Year of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, adding further global importance to the University’s pioneering role in these fields.

To explore our pioneering work in photonics and quantum sciences, watch our videos ‘The big picture’ and ‘Practical insights’ below. These short films reveal how our research is transforming industries and shaping the future on a global scale.