The Scottish Government has announced details of a £45million plan to transform Scotland into one of Europe’s leading economies to start or grow a technology business.
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes told MSPs that ministers had already finalised arrangements for five new “Tech Scaler hubs” which had the potential to create more than 300 high-quality start-ups.
The locations of the hubs will be confirmed in the next few months.
They were a key recommendation in an independent review of the Scottish tech ecosystem, by former Skyscanner executive Mark Logan.
During a parliamentary statement Ms Forbes highlighted progress made to date to implement the Logan Review.
Actions include:
- finalising arrangements for five new Tech Scaler hubs, with the potential to create more than 300 high quality start-ups, that will offer mentorship support to budding entrepreneurs. These new hubs, located around the country, will help to ensure new and existing tech innovators have access to high quality commercial education
- establishing a £1 million Scottish Tech Ecosystem Fund providing support for organisations to deliver meet ups and events which create the best environment for entrepreneurs to succeed
- investing more than £1 million in new devices and equipment to support teaching of computing science
- appointing teachers who will drive improvements in equipment and training while sharing best practice
- allocating £1.5 million for reskilling – including support for those on low incomes to gain digital skills
A Chief Entrepreneur Officer will also soon be appointed in the Scottish Government to help ensure entrepreneurship ambitions are embedded in policy development.
Ms Forbes said: “The Scottish Government is committed to the most radical reforms of the Scottish entrepreneurial system since devolution. Our ambition is to establish Scotland as one of Europe’s leading start-up economies.
“These game changing tech scalers will deliver one of the most sophisticated and comprehensive state-funded environments in Europe for the creation and growth of start-ups.
“Tech scalers will put Scotland on the global start-up map and we will promote their services relentlessly to attract the world’s best talent to scale up their businesses in Scotland.
“A key ambition in our strategy to transform the economy is to help establish Scotland as a world-class entrepreneurial country, founded on a culture that encourages, promotes and celebrates entrepreneurial activity.”