A new industry sector board focused on building digital capability and capacity in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has been created, with aim of establishing a physical hub, providing access to early stage growth funding, and supporting high-potential digital companies to become global success stories.
Plans for the board were announced over the summer and details outlined at the Digital Cities event in Aberdeen last month, hosted by FutureScot in association with The Sunday Times Scotland.
The private sector economic development body Opportunity North East (ONE) aims to accelerate the development of the digital economy in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire through the establishment of ONE Digital, supported by £4m in additional funding over four years.
ONE Digital becomes the fifth sector board within ONE and will focus on building digital capability and capacity in the region, including supporting digital product company creation and growth and working across the region’s key industries to enhance competitiveness through the identification and application of digital solutions.
Sir Ian Wood, chairman of ONE, said: “We currently have parts of a digital cluster in the region, but there’s a huge market here with industries with significant scope for digital solutions.
“The oil and gas industry, particularly operators, is making major investments over the next few years in automation, artificial intelligence and robotics with the supply chain doing likewise. Food, drink and agriculture are also very active in achieving digital efficiencies, as is tourism.
“The key ingredients of the successful cluster will be a physical hub to help nurture and grow digital tech companies, a strong focus on encouraging entrepreneurship in the sector, some early stage seed funding, community events to foster entrepreneurship.
“[And] maximising the potentially significant contribution from the city’s two universities, particularly in entrepreneurship teaching. Access to skilled people, with coding and digital business skills, supported by a network of digitally savvy mentors and professional advisors is also vitally important.
“We already have a small number of high potential digital companies and the aim over five years is to get 10 to 20 companies with highly differentiated products and systems, with sales above £20m and with international aspirations.
“There’s also a significant number of companies in our region now seeking to build digital efficiency into their business and ONE Digital aims to improve the availability of high quality companies to identify digital solutions and applications to enhance the competitiveness of these businesses.
“ONE Digital will apply expertise, influence and funding and work with partners to build strong digital capabilities, which will be a transformational factor in delivering the shared goal of long-term economic renaissance for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire,” said Sir Ian.
The £4m of initial funding for ONE Digital from the Wood Foundation brings its commitment to £29m over five years to help deliver the economic renaissance agenda. ONE’s co-investment approach aims to secure match funding for transformational programmes and projects, unlocking a further £29m of investment for diversifying and strengthening the region’s economy.
Related posts
Interviews
Comment
We need to shout about our successes. Liz Fletcher on celebrating women in biotech
Throughout my career in biotechnology and life sciences, I have seen many women leading ground-breaking research studies in their fields of expertise. Yet, and I include myself in this, we…
Getting the best out of patient data is key to unlocking future health benefits in Scotland
It is important that clinicians’ voices are heard in the consultation around Scotland’s new health and care data strategy, which closes this week (12 August). Busy GPs like myself are the trusted…
How motherhood helped me be a better leader
Consider this an open letter to anyone I have worked with before I became a mother and before I fully understood how being a parent is actually a prized asset…
‘We cannot achieve our goals without entrepreneurs’ – Kate Forbes on vision for new ‘tech scaler’ network
From the very start of my ministerial career, I have had responsibility for the Scottish tech sector – and I can still say what I have said from the start,…
Finding a role in cyber was ‘tough’ for Cheryl Torano. Now she’s determined to help other women join an under-represented industry
When I decided to upskill to change careers at the age of 30 and dive into the digital world, I knew I would be starting out at the bottom of…
Why innovation and marketing are the perfect partners to make changes that matter
With the rapid evolution of traditional marketing and the appearance of digital marketing, technology and innovation has become part of any marketer’s life without the need of working for a…
Transitioning to a four-day week – CEO’s vow to strike a healthier balance in the workplace
I came to Scotland nearly 20 years ago from Ireland, with no contacts but a lot of determination. While Ireland will always be my home, Scotland has given me amazing…
Women Lead: The female-led company championing intuitive working
Over the last two years, the pandemic forced a shift to more remote and flexible working practices. Whilst we might be seeing a “return to normal”, some companies are choosing…