Investing in the creation of a state-of-the-art network for start-ups.
A contract worth up to £42m has been awarded to Edinburgh-based Codebase to establish seven new technology scale hubs across Scotland.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the Tech Scaler contract, which is one of the Scottish Government’s biggest investments in Scotland’s potential as an entrepreneurial nation, ahead of an event at the new Barclay Eagle Lab campus in Glasgow.
The investment will support technology founders to scale their businesses by receiving advice and mentoring from industry experts at the hubs. Partners include Google for Start-ups UK, Barclays Eagle Labs and Reforge, a leading membership program based in San Francisco that teaches start-ups how to grow using the best practices of Silicon Valley founders.
The First Minister said:
“Scottish tech start-ups and scale-ups are already a significant success story and the Scottish Government wants to do even more to build on the current strength of the sector.
“Tech start-ups across Scotland will have access to world-class education and mentoring and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and networking through technology scalers. For new companies at all stages of their development, Scotland will provide one of the most favorable environments in Europe.”
Chief executive and co-founder of Codebase, Stephen Coleman OBE, said:
“Codebase is thrilled to be 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 start-up-friendly tech places in the world.
“We will help founders of all shapes and sizes from all backgrounds turn their ideas into businesses through educational programs, community building and networking. We will help build more start-up companies in Scotland and help them scale and access customers and investment globally.”
Background
Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said:
“The Scottish technology industry is already a dynamic and entrepreneurial community and is predicted to be the second fastest growing sector in Scotland by 2029.
“Our investment in the industry is fueling that growth by helping emerging businesses gain the confidence and momentum to catapult onto the world stage.”
Codebase is a technology ecosystem support organization active in 27 hubs across the UK that uses global startup best practice to accelerate technology innovation.
The creation of the Tech Scalers network represents a commitment to the Agenda for Government 2021-22 and a key recommendation from the Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review 2020, carried out by former Skyscanner CEO and recently appointed Chief Entrepreneur Mark Logan.
Chief Entrepreneur Professor Mark Logan said: “I am delighted that this contract has now been awarded so we can deliver Scotland’s innovation network of Tech Scalers, 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 look forward to working with the Tech Scalers team to continue to develop Scotland’s technology capabilities in the future.”
The courses will be hosted by Barclays Eagle Labs, Opportunity North East, a number of Scottish universities and Stirling Council. Upon reaching the advanced level, businesses will receive free access to Reforge – the most prestigious provider of scaling education in Silicon Valley.
Barclays Eagle Labs director Jon Hope said: “We are delighted to support the launch of the Scottish Government’s Tech Scaler programme. Barclays shares the government’s ambition to develop the infrastructure needed to support business growth, which is why we are launching our latest Eagle Lab in Glasgow, in August.
“Glasgow Eagle Lab will be home to the city’s tech start-up community and will work with public and private partners to support their growth and skills development in new technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The event at the Barclays Eagle Lab campus was hosted by Startup Grind Scotland.
