Scotland has always been a place where innovators can feel at home. It’s a place where ideas come to life that bring benefits to people around the world.
And that’s never been more the case than it is now. Tech is big business, and our cities are the ideal places for companies and individuals in this sector to thrive.
One major success story is CodeBase, the UK’s largest technology incubator, which has major hubs in Stirling, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. They’ve just received a £42million contract to establish seven new tech scaler hubs across Scotland. This is brilliant news for new and growing businesses who will be able to get advice and support from tech industry experts who will be based at the hubs.
Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said at time the contract was announced:
“Scottish tech start-ups and scale-ups are already a very significant success story and the Scottish Government wants to do even more to build on the sector’s current strength.
“Tech start-ups right across Scotland will have access to world-class education and mentoring and opportunities for peer learning and networking through the tech scalers. For new companies at all stages of their development, Scotland will provide one of the most supportive environments in Europe.”
And the CEO and co-founder of Codebase, Stephen Coleman, said:
“Codebase is delighted to have been awarded the Tech Scaler contract. We will continue to work closely with our partners – old and new, local and global – to make Scotland one of the most tech start-up friendly places in the world.
“We will be helping founders of all shapes and sizes from all backgrounds turn their ideas into businesses via education programmes, community building and networking. We will help to build more start-ups in Scotland and help them scale and access customers and investment globally.”
Partners in this exciting project include Google for Start-ups UK, the Glasgow-based Barclays Eagle Labs and Reforge, a leading San Francisco-based membership programme that teaches start-ups how to grow using Silicon Valley founders’ best practice.
The creation of the Tech Scalers network delivers a commitment of the Programme for Government 2021-22 and a key recommendation from the 2020 Scottish Tech Ecosystem Review, carried out by former Skyscanner COO and recently appointed Chief Entrepreneur, Mark Logan.
Mr Logan said:
“I’m delighted that this contract has now been awarded, so that we can deliver Scotland’s innovative Tech Scalers network, a key recommendation in the Scottish Tech Ecosystem Review. Tech Scalers provide Scottish start-ups with a world-class start-up environment in which to learn, grow and succeed. I’m looking forward to working with the Tech Scalers team, to continue to develop Scotland’s technology capability into the future.”
The good news stories for the sector don’t stop with Stirling, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Elsewhere in Scotland, Inverness is home to the Northern Innovation Hub which provides help and support for businesses who are looking to expand their tech skills and reach out for more commercial opportunities.
And exciting things are happening in Dundee, too. A 2021 Tech Nation report says Dundee is one of the most likely cities to become a leading UK tech hub. A major new 4,000-seater eSports arena has been proposed for the city, and the city is home to many businesses in the tech and gaming industries including NCR, 4J Studios, Waracle, Brightsolid, GoRoadie and Broker Insights.
It’s clear to see our cities really are switched on to the possibilities that technology can bring.
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