Two startup accelerator schemes have joined forces to support Scotland’s burgeoning internet of things (IoT) sector.
Techscaler, the nationwide tech education programme run by CodeBase and STAC, Scotland’s IoT accelerator, have teamed up to provide wraparound support to a growing cluster of firms.
The partnership is aimed at helping ambitious IoT firms to scale up and access global markets.
STAC’s CEO and Co-founder Paul Wilson said: “Since we launched in 2021, STAC’s mission has been to create a centre of excellence, an IoT tech cluster here in Scotland. Techscaler has the resources that will help us achieve that mission more rapidly. We admire the bold approach of CodeBase, and we share the common goal of developing companies for global competition.”
Startup founders participating in Techscaler and STAC will now benefit from an expanded range of support, catering to a broader spectrum of founder needs. Participants will have access to a network of workspace hubs across the country, prototyping lab space, events and meetups, mentorship, education courses, a thriving community of innovators, and specialist expertise in emerging technology.
“I am excited about this partnership, because it signals a moment of maturity for the ecosystem,” said Steven Drost, chief strategy officer at CodeBase. “The partnership brings together two different strands of startup building – software and hardware. Combining those strands enables both to learn and build and grow faster – this can only be a good thing for Scottish tech.”
Scotland’s chief entrepreneur Mark Logan, who authored the Scottish Tech Ecosystem Review, which paved the way for the Techscaler programme, said: “This exciting collaboration follows the same model as our recently announced Techscaler twinning arrangement with NHS Test Beds.
“Our goal is to amplify the effectiveness of our key ecosystem assets by forming a series of active partnership arrangements, where knowledge, expertise and resources can be shared for the benefit of participating startups. The partnership between Techscaler and STAC also has the potential to have a transformative impact on Scotland’s IoT standing worldwide.”
Scottish Government wellbeing economy secretary Neil Gray said: “This partnership between the Techscaler programme and Filament STAC marks more progress towards Scotland becoming one of the world’s leading homes for start up businesses. The internet of things, by connecting devices from washing machines to driverless cars to the internet, promises previously unheralded opportunities for tech startup founders in Scotland.
“The £42 million Techscaler programme is supporting tech entrepreneurs and startups as they turn innovative ideas into reality, in line with aims in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation. Encouraging and connecting entrepreneurs can help boost our economy, unlocking future growth and generating more and better career prospects.”
