The Royal Bank of Scotland has recently introduced a financing solution that positions Scotland at the forefront of supporting knowledge-driven businesses. As reportedly the first bank in the country to offer substantial loans secured against intellectual property, RBS is said to be opening pathways for creative enterprises, technology firms, and university spinouts to secure growth capital without relying on traditional physical collateral.
Officially launched on June 3, 2026, during an event at the University of Edinburgh featuring leaders from Scotland’s tech and creative industries, the scheme provides loans between £250,000 and £10 million.
It specifically targets high-potential companies rich in intangible assets—such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, and software—but often lacking factories, equipment, or property to pledge for conventional borrowing.
This approach is expected to prove especially valuable for sectors like video gaming, life sciences, and advanced technology, where ideas and innovation drive value far more than tangible holdings.
The initiative builds on NatWest Group’s earlier rollout of a similar IP lending program in England and Wales in 2024.
Since then, the group has disbursed approximately £34 million in funding, including a recent £750,000 facility to Iliad Solutions, a Leeds-based provider of payments testing and certification services.
All applications undergo thorough independent assessment by Inngot, NatWest’s specialist IP valuation partner. The bank typically advances up to 50 percent of the determined orderly disposal value of the intellectual property.
Legal reforms paved the way for this development in Scotland. Amendments introduced through the Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act 2023, which took effect last year, have modernized how intangible assets can be used as security, aligning Scottish practices more closely with opportunities available elsewhere in the UK.
Robert Begbie, CEO of Commercial & Institutional at Royal Bank of Scotland, described the product as transformative for the nation’s innovation ecosystem.
He noted that future-oriented companies in dynamic fields increasingly lack the conventional assets required for standard loans.
This new facility offers them vital access to capital to scale ambitious projects and contribute to economic expansion.
Martin Brassell, CEO of Inngot, highlighted Scotland’s history of invention and creativity.
He emphasized that the reforms now enable innovative firms to access non-dilutive funding more readily, improving capital flows to businesses that need it most.
Industry professionals have acknowledged the move in a positive manner.
Chris van der Kuyl, Chairman of 4J Studios, pointed to Scotland’s potential to become a global leader in video games and interactive entertainment, provided the right financial tools are available.
He acknowledged the bank‘s efforts for backing creative talent and ambition in this space.
Nick Poole, Chief Executive of UK Interactive Entertainment, underscored the sector’s high-growth status and the importance of financing models that recognize IP’s central role.
He called the launch a significant milestone for boosting creativity and innovation nationwide. Support has also come from academic and government quarters.
Hannah Dent of Old College Capital at the University of Edinburgh noted how the loans complement early-stage venture funding, aiding ventures addressing major global challenges in health, climate, and responsible AI.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill and Scottish Innovation Minister Ben Macpherson both welcomed the scheme as a forward-looking step that recognizes business needs and enables entrepreneurship.
With applications now open, the product signals a seemingly broader shift toward valuing intangible assets in lending decisions. For Scotland’s startup and spinout community, it represents a boost to translate ideas into commercial initiatives.