New ‘tech fest’ for Glasgow to boost Scotland’s technology sector 

A new annual ‘tech fest’ will be hosted in Glasgow this month to support Scotland’s technology companies and entrepreneurs in a bid to boost the sector.

‘Glasgow Tech Fest’, run by innovation hub Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID), will offer the tech community “valuable insights” from industry experts into topics such as developing talent, current market dynamics within the tech sector, product-market fit, and high-growth scaling and investment.

It is being funded by the Scottish Government through its £1 million Scottish Technology Ecosystem Fund, set up in response to the recommendations outlined in former Skyscanner executive Mark Logan’s review of the industry.

Finance secretary Kate Forbes will deliver a welcome address at the all-day event, which will focus on the four key themes of founders, investment, ecosystem and industry sectors.

Attendees will also learn about other founders’ startup journeys, network with a number of businesses in the heart of GCID, and hear from keynote speakers, including Oli Norman, founder and chief executive of Itison; entrepreneur, investor and founder of PG Paper, Dr Poonam Gupta; and Andrew Dobbie, founder of Made Brave.

The hybrid event, which will take place at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre on Tuesday 26 April, will be live-streamed online.

Ms Forbes said: “Glasgow Tech Fest is supported from the £1 million that the Scottish Government has given to its Ecosystem Fund as part of our response to Mark Logan’s review of the industry, to help create the best possible environment for start-ups to succeed.

“This represents an opportunity to help the sector grow and invest. We want Scotland to become a truly digital nation, underpinned by entrepreneurs and innovators, that supports people and sustainable business growth.

“More investment in the tech community is central to our economic and social success, embracing opportunities from new technology, boosting productivity and focusing on innovations that will make the biggest difference, not just here but internationally.”

Alisdair Gunn, GCID project director, said: “Glasgow Tech Fest provides an opportunity for those working in the technology and digital sectors to get together and learn from each other and support each other on their company growth journey.”

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said: “Glasgow City Innovation District is playing an important role in boosting economic growth, job creation and innovation across a range of sectors by bringing business, academia and the public sector together to collaborate, co-locate, co-create and co-invest.

“This first Glasgow Tech Fest is a great example of the benefits that companies can gain through co-location and interaction with the University of Strathclyde. GCID is a unique innovation ecosystem that is now home to more than 1,600 firms spanning a range of sectors, making it one of the most concentrated collectives of innovative organisations in the UK.”