Twelve start-ups have been awarded £35,000 each to fast track high-tech solutions to help improve people’s lives and public services.
Projects include finding new ways to improve support for people with long term health conditions, systems to help tackle teacher workload and the creation of a portal to gather the authentic language data required for building Gaelic digital technology such as voice recognition software.
The companies will enter a 15-week Accelerator phase of CivTech, the Scottish Government business incubator, working with their public sector sponsors to produce a ‘minimum viable product’ (MVP) for use and further development.
At the end of the programme, the companies could secure significant contracts and the opportunity to share major public investment of up to £7.7 million.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the sponsors of a project being led by Community Enterprise to develop a portal that will address the scarcity of available Gaelic language data.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said on a visit to the University: “CivTech is a unique programme that not only provides critical support to some of Scotland’s most promising and growing tech start-ups and SMEs, but at the same time harnesses their creative talent and innovation to improve public services.
“CivTech 11 has once again delivered hugely promising proposals to tackle a wide range of challenges. I look forward to the Accelerator helping to deliver more game-changing products and services that can continue improving the public services that matter to people across the country.”
Professor Kim Graham, Provost of the University of Edinburgh, said: “Turning bold ideas into solutions that improve people’s lives is at the heart of what we do at the University of Edinburgh. This programme offers significant support to pioneering start-up companies, including developing their expertise in Gaelic technologies that are fit for a digital world.
“As part of the University’s commitment to Gaelic language and culture, the funding will support our work to overcome barriers to accessible speech and language data, providing a blueprint for other minority languages worldwide.”
Jane Mackinnon, Digital Lead at Community Enterprise, said: “We’re excited to join the CivTech Round 11 Accelerator, bringing our community focused approach together with creative and technical expertise, in partnership with Fèisean nan Gàidheal, to support the future of the Gaelic language.
“By creating a safe, simple way for communities to contribute authentic Gaelic data, we aim to protect cultural heritage and open new digital opportunities for speakers and learners.”
