Network of technology hubs to support Scottish start-ups

Five technology hubs will be created to support the next generation of Scottish start-ups.

Finance secretary Kate Forbes announced the initial £4m funding ahead of a visit to the CodeBase technology incubator in Edinburgh on Thursday.

It will see investment in infrastructure to allow the hubs to give entrepreneurs world-class training and mentoring alongside the chance to network and share ideas.

Forbes said: “I’m pleased to announce this initial investment in tech scalers, the central recommendation from Mark Logan’s groundbreaking review of our technology sector.

“These hubs will transform the quality and intensity of support available to Scottish start-ups, delivering world-class education to tech entrepreneurs, helping this vital sector to grow and create jobs.

“They will also offer the chance to network and share ideas, helping the sector to grow and laying the groundwork for Scotland’s digital future.”

The hubs will be known as tech scalers and will be tasked with supporting at least 300 start-ups by 2025.

They came in response to entrepreneur Mark Logan’s official review of the sector.

The Scottish Government is also setting up an Ecosystem Fund to make strategic investments in the sector.

It also plans to establish a formal partnership with the technology industry to drive forward Mr Logan’s longer-term recommendations.