Barclays ‘Eagle Lab’ opens in Scotland to boost support for companies scaling-up 

Barclays opened the doors today to Scotland’s first Eagle Lab, in Edinburgh, in partnership with CodeBase. The investment will provide a new space for businesses and communities to learn about innovative technologies and boost digital skills, while supporting job creation in the local economy.

The space includes equipment for digital fabrication, 3D printing and laser cutting, providing businesses with access to the tools they need to rapidly produce and test prototypes without having to import them from overseas.

Some of the companies who will be using the facilities include Machines with Vision, whose localisation mapping technology can be used to position and guide self-driving vehicles, and Holixica, specialists in 3D visualisation technologies including digital holograms and holographic video displays.

It will also offer resources including mentoring and workshops for Scotland’s start-up and scale-up businesses, complementing CodeBase’s existing incubator services.

Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, said: “This is a great new resource providing Scottish businesses with access to a range of experts, workshops and advice to help our workforces become equipped with the necessary skills to embrace the opportunities of digital technology.

“The Scottish Government is committed to promoting a ‘can do’ culture of entrepreneurship across all industry sectors. This is important so that the most talented entrepreneurs, from Scotland and elsewhere, can develop their ideas and create the successful new companies we need for our economy to continue to grow.”

Announced last November, he new lab, Barclays’ 14th in the UK, is a milestone in the development of its high growth and entrepreneur service in Scotland. It will, said the bank, help ambitious high-growth businesses during the scale-up journey, and members of the public and local community groups as they seek to improve their digital skills.

Stuart Brown, head of SME Scotland at Barclays, said: “With Scotland focused on becoming a major digital player, it is vital our SMEs and entrepreneurs are equipped with the skills and tools they need to thrive in today’s ever-changing and dynamic economy.

“Whether you’re an inventor, innovator or mentor, our Eagle Lab is the perfect space to digitally empower your business, supporting scale-up opportunities, collaboration and innovation.

“The lab also forms part of our wider growth strategy in Scotland. We are committed to helping ambitious businesses and entrepreneurs flourish, contributing to improved economic prosperity and productivity.”

Stephen Coleman, CodeBase chief executive, added: “We are seeing an increase in the numbers of hybrid tech companies mixing hardware and software across a range of sectors, from self driving cars to environmental sensors and medical devices. The Eagle Lab will help us to support many more of these sorts of companies, while driving high-growth business potential.”