A new campus for fast-growing internet of things firms in Glasgow will be the ‘largest smart things hub in Europe’, according to its co-founder.
Paul Wilson, CEO of the Smart Things Accelerator Centre (STAC), said the new 250-desk co-working space at the city’s Skypark building will be a base for world-class startups in the sector.
‘Thebeyond’ comprises a fully-furnished electronics lab, a fabrication lab, and a R&D ‘makerspace’, in addition to a media lab, event space, co-working and hot desking areas.
Wilson said: “The launch of thebeyond takes STAC to the next level as we continue on our mission to build world-class startups who can compete on a global level. We support our companies through mentorship, access to talent, funding, and networks, and it’s a model which is unique on the Scottish tech scene.”
“We now have a comprehensive environment to accelerate the entire product development process, providing inventors and developers with the tools and resources needed to bring their ideas to life, from concept to prototype.”
Thebeyond has been delivered via STAC’s partnership with the UK Government and Glasgow City Council, supported by a multi-million private and public sector investment.
That includes £2.5 million from global investment firm Federated Hermes – all aimed at transforming Glasgow into a global smart things and IoT innovation hub.
Wilson said the hub will be STAC’s “fourth pillar”, alongside STAC Scale, the industry-led 18-month mentorship programme that has supported four cohorts totalling over 50 companies to date, talent platform STAC Jobs, and STAC Invest, set to launch over the next few weeks, which will connect investors to IoT and smart things startups who are set to scale.
STAC is supported by a range of UK and international corporates, including Pelion, Plexus, and Keysight Technologies, and the technology accelerator announced its latest industry partnership in June, to provide an innovation pipeline for Swedish carmaker Volvo Cars, a pioneer in the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Wilson added: “Our mission is to transform Scotland’s rich research and innovation into entrepreneurial ventures that can go on to compete at a global level, and the partnership with Volvo opens up immediate opportunities for collaboration at scale for STAC’s portfolio of startups.”