Accelerator launched for mapping and location tech start-ups 

Location, land and property data will be available under a new scheme to support tech start-ups in potentially lucrative geolocation data markets.

Registers of Scotland (RoS) and Ordnance Survey (OS) have joined forces to launch Geovation Scotland – an accelerator scheme to help start-ups create new GeoTech and PropTech services.

Geovation Scotland has opened its application process to join the ‘Geovation Accelerator Programme’ and receives the backing and support of RoS and the OS.

The fledgling firms will have the opportunity to use data produced through mapping and related technologies, and will be in line to receive expert business support and funding to help them flourish on the world stage.

Over a twelve-month period, the start-ups accepted onto the Programme will be able to access a wide range of resources. These resources include access to experienced software developers, geospatial expertise from OS, property expertise from RoS, and mentorship on business proposals and investor relationships. They will also each receive up to £15,000 in funding.

Jennifer Henderson, the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, said: “I am delighted that we are able to offer this opportunity to entrepreneurs. Geovation Scotland will support creative people to use our data to create their own businesses, and to benefit the wider Scottish economy and the people of Scotland.”

“Our role in the creation of Geovation Scotland is playing a key role in turning our data into a live resource, as well as crucial reference material.”

The Geovation approach is centred on offering a founder-friendly environment, prime-location office space, meeting facilities, equipment, access to data and great mentors, high-quality workshop content and, almost uniquely, an in-house software development team, who work hand in hand with the companies to build and release their first products.

Award-winning data analytics business Topolytics is already working with the Ordnance Survey to create a system to monitor and track all of the UK’s waste. The company has been selected by the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to design a ‘smart’ system to capture the more than 20 million movements of waste from their sources through to final processing or disposal.

The system will track all inert and hazardous waste from households, local authorities, businesses and the construction sector.

In the three years since the London Hub launched, Geovation has created a community of more than 1,200 GeoTech and PropTech start-ups, has helped 84 companies through its Programme and seen these companies raise £23.3M in funding and create more than 200 new jobs.

The past six months has seen Geovation expand through partnerships with complimentary innovation Hubs in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff and Manchester, in addition to the new Accelerator Programme run in Edinburgh through Geovation Scotland.

To apply or for more information on the application process go to: https://geovation.uk/accelerator/.