CivTech Scotland – the Scottish Government’s public sector technology accelerator programme – is launching two new challenges to kickstart its eighth cohort.
And for the first time the programme will open up two accelerators run in tandem after securing £6m in additional government funding earlier this year.
The move boosts opportunities for innovative companies to solve major challenges facing the public and third sector in Scotland, while simultaneously growing their own business and industry profile. Four further CivTech 8 Challenges are due to be announced later in November.
2022 has been the biggest year so far for CivTech and its opportunities for start-ups and businesses to come forward with solutions to real life problems facing public sector organisations, charities and citizens across Scotland. 2021’s CivTech 6 alumni companies have already collectively received £2.5m in follow-on contracts, and there is up to £6m available to the companies on CivTech 7 and 8.
The challenges are as follows:
- 8.1: How can technology help to quickly identify and prioritise support for people in the most vulnerable situations, starting with those having energy problems?, sponsored by The Extra Help Unit (EHU), Citizens Advice Scotland.
- 8.2: How can technology help drive effective resource management for a multiskilled workforce in a constantly changing environment?, sponsored by the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), and Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate.
Challenge 8.1 is seeking a solution to help more vulnerable individuals who need support from Citizens Advice Scotland to deal with issues around the energy crisis. Challenge 8.2 is looking for a technology to help plan resources and predict how resources need to be allocated throughout the year from the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), and Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate.
Interested companies are invited to register on Public Contracts Scotland and apply by 28 November 2022.
