The IP lending scheme has gone live today at a launch event with representatives from Scotland’s technology and creative sectors at the University of Edinburgh.

The lending offer, the first of its kind in Scotland, will deliver loans ranging from £250,000 to £10 million and ensure that businesses that do not have significant access to physical assets can borrow against the value of their IP.  This type of lending is particularly attractive to university spinouts and those in the technology and creative sector who have big, transformative ideas but do not have the assets – like machinery and buildings - to borrow against.

RBS-owner NatWest Group launched IP lending for businesses in England and Wales in 2024. All applicants’ IP is independently reviewed by the group’s specialist valuation partner, Inngot, and the bank can lend against up to 50% of the orderly disposal value found.

The bank has already funded £34 million in loans through this scheme. This has included support for companies, Final Rentals, a digital platform provider connecting travellers with local car rental providers, in Cardiff and Iliad Solutions, a payments testing and certification platform provider, based in Leeds who both received £750,000 in the last two months.

The new product was enabled by changes in the Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act 2023 which came into effect last year.

Robert Begbie, CEO Commercial & Institutional, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “This new lending offer has game-changing potential for firms in Scotland’s high growth and innovation sectors – like gaming, life sciences and tech.

“As we look to the future, more and more firms in innovation industries will lack the tangible physical assets that are used as collateral in traditional lending. Our new product gives those firms with exciting ideas and high potential a new route to access the capital they need to grow.

“Our Royal Bank IP lending product is now open to applications and we look forward to expanding our support for growing Scotland’s innovation economy.”

Martin Brassell, CEO of Inngot, said: “Scottish inventions and creativity have shaped our world. It’s high time that we made it easier for innovative Scottish businesses to raise non-dilutive funding. Thanks to Scotland’s legal reforms, harnessing IP and intangibles is now a viable way to improve the flow of capital to the companies that need it most.”

Chris van der Kuyl, chairman of 4J Studios, said: “With the right access to capital, Scotland has the potential to be the next global hub for video games and interactive entertainment. We have the talent and the ambition.

“By making IP-backed lending available to video games companies across Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland is helping to secure an exciting future for this pioneering creative industry.”

Nick Poole, chief executive, UK Interactive Entertainment, said: “Video games and interactive entertainment have been highlighted as one of the four UK industries with the highest growth potential.

“To unlock that growth, we need financing solutions that recognise the IP-rich nature of creative businesses. This new initiative Royal Bank of Scotland is a milestone in financial services, helping to supercharge innovation and creativity across Scotland.”

Hannah Dent, investment manager at Old College Capital (OCC), the University of Edinburgh’s venture investment fund, part of Edinburgh Innovations, said: “From the earliest pre-seed stages through to Series A, OCC invests in the most promising technologies and innovations emerging from the University.

“Royal Bank’s IP loans are a valuable addition to the financing landscape, offering new pathways for innovative ventures that are tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges across future health and care, climate and environment and responsible use of data and AI.”

Kirsty McNeill MP, UK government Minister for Scotland, said:  “This innovative funding model by the Royal Bank of Scotland recognises the evolving industrial and economic landscape, as well as showing confidence in the value and potential of these companies.

“It is encouraging to see new ways businesses in Scotland can be supported to grow, unlocking the technological and creative developments to benefit both now and in the future.”

Ben Macpherson MSP, Scottish Government Innovation Minister said: “Scotland is home to an incredible array of exciting entrepreneurs, start-ups and spinout opportunities - and it must be a shared endeavour to support our business founders establish and scale-up.

“Access to capital is of course fundamental to this success and I look forward the Royal Bank of Scotland’s IP-backed loan providing invaluable support to help kick-start the country’s greatest ideas and business innovation.”