Techscaler, the Scottish Government’s education and mentoring programme for technology startups – has selected Scotland’s ‘most promising tech founders’ for trips to Silicon Valley and Singapore.
Twenty-two companies will be represented in forthcoming visits to the US’s tech epicentre and a burgeoning tech sector market in South-East Asia.
The purpose is to allow the founders to meet with potential investors, and tap into new markets as they embark on the next phase of their growth.
Cleanifiq, Stamp Free, Valla, Tyre Runner, VanFill, Amytis, 20 Photos, NeuroBright, Neon Circle/Neon Guard, Applo, NoLogo, and Aethernova will be participating in the Techscaler Silicon Valley cohort 4 programme between 24th October and 14th November.
Jo Tennant, founder of 20 Photos, said: “You can only get so far aiming to be a big fish in a small pond. This trip is about putting 20 Photos in the rooms where the pace, mindset, and ambition of world-class B2C [business to consumer] products are shaped and laying the foundations to compete at a global scale.”
One of those to have already benefited is Natalie Garry, a former Scottish ballet dancer and CEO and founder of DanceSing, which runs online choir and fitness classes. She said: “Silicon Valley was genuinely transformative for us. We arrived with no US clients, and we now have contracts signed, a clear strategy to scale in the US, and an invaluable network of connections.”
For the Singapore trip, Rethink Carbon, Seluna, ThermaFY Eco Solutions, Tiny Air, Virtual Reality Empathy Platform, Wristbud/Interactive Health, Danu Insights, Connecting Hands, Trials Link, and MyWayDigitalHealth will take part in the Techscaler Singapore cohort two programme between 26th October and 14th November.
Anais Guillemaud, Head of Scaleup Growth Acceleration Programmes at CodeBase, said: “The second Singapore programme offers a unique opportunity to explore one of Asia’s most dynamic startup ecosystems, where our focus in this cohort is around growth stage medical and health tech plus climate and energy tech companies looking to expand into Asian markets.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “This marks another bold step in empowering Scotland’s most promising tech founders. By connecting them with global peers, customers and investors, we’re creating pathways for innovation, collaboration and growth that extend far beyond our borders.”
She added: “These international opportunities are not just about scaling businesses, but about building lasting relationships that showcase Scotland’s entrepreneurial talent on the world stage.”
