Housing market is looking stable in Year of Fire Horse, guest blog by John Boyle, Director of Strategy and Research at Rettie

2026 is the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse, a sign that only gallops around every 60 years and is associated with dramatic transformation. It is said to bring both chaos and progress, good fortune and bad.

Turning to Scotland’s housing market, our forecasts may seem tame by comparison, but we can assume that the Fire Horse’s hooves will not scorch property values too severely this year.

Last year we predicted that 2025 would be a steady year for Scottish housing, and that has proved accurate. House prices rose modestly, likely around 3 per cent by year end, while transactional sales growth looks set to slightly exceed our forecast of 5 per cent.

Private rents also moderated as the sector adjusted to a more stable environment following the passage of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. New build activity has increased modestly, but the sector continues to face significant viability challenges and limited access to effective land. As a result, housing delivery remains well below pre-pandemic levels.

So, how is 2026 shaping up? We forecast average house price growth of around 3 to 4 per cent, broadly in line with recent years. That is likely to be only slightly ahead of consumer inflation, reflecting a stable market where demand is rising gently as interest and mortgage rates ease. Bank lending remains sensible and steady, and affordability constraints continue to cap price growth.

Rents are expected to increase modestly, by around 4 to 5 per cent, as landlords adjust to inflation and seek to align properties with market values ahead of potential rent controls in 2027. Again, affordability will temper further increases as rental supply slowly recovers.

House sales in Scotland have been steady for more than a decade, averaging about 100,000 transactions annually. That stability contrasts sharply with the pre-2008 boom years when volumes regularly exceeded 150,000.

With steady economic and wage growth forecast by the Bank of England and others, we expect this to feed through to the housing market. Sales transactions are projected to rise between 2 and 5 per cent in 2026, following the small but notable uplift seen last year. A larger jump of more than 5 per cent appears unlikely in the near term.

We are not expecting major property tax changes in Scotland’s January Budget, though there may be a temptation to align with the UK’s decision to raise property income tax rates by 2 per cent. A safe and unremarkable Scottish Budget would be welcome, though the Fire Horse may have other ideas.

A mansion tax seems unlikely (at least in this Budget) given the measures that would be required to introduce it.

The last Year of the Fire Horse was 1966, a year when England won the World Cup. Here is hoping 2026 brings Scotland its own version of good fortune.

If you build the ecosystem the founders will come, guest blog by Jon Hope, CodeBase's chief strategy officer

The Ecosystem Exchange conference in Edinburgh began with a simple provocation: if founders shape the future, who is shaping the ground they build on?

When we launched the event in 2024 with Barclays Eagle Labs and the Edinburgh Futures Institute, that question had no real home. The UK had conferences for startups and investors, but few for the people responsible for creating the conditions that make innovation possible.

Two editions later, the answer is emerging. When ecosystem builders gather with intent, something shifts. A fragmented landscape begins to act like a community. Conversations move from polite abstraction to honest deep dives. Productive friction surfaces faster. Alignment does not mean consensus, but clarity, and clarity is the foundation on which national ambition is built.

The 2025 Ecosystem Exchange underscored a truth many already sensed: the UK cannot wait for a perfect blueprint from elsewhere. The dominant narratives of the United States and China are often misread as inevitabilities, yet their stories are still being written too. If we want a future that works for us, we must write it ourselves. That requires a different kind of ecosystem, one built on trust, mission-driven ambition, and the ability to turn world-class research into real products at real speed.

Across two days of conversation, a pattern emerged around technology. It is no longer a scarce asset. In a world of abundant models, open-source tools and affordable computational power, technology itself has become a commodity. Trust is now the true differentiator. The fundamentals still matter: solve meaningful problems, build products people want, find customers early. But ecosystems will only thrive where institutions earn founder trust through coherence, transparency and delivery.

Nowhere is that opportunity clearer than in our universities. The UK has extraordinary research depth, yet the journey from discovery to deployment remains slow and uneven. We do not lack innovation; we lack translation. The growing conversation around “scale-outs,” ventures built from research with experienced operators embedded from the start, points toward a more ambitious model. It respects academic excellence while accelerating commercial execution. This is not about replacing spinouts but complementing them with structures designed for speed.

What stood out most at this year’s Exchange was the appetite to think bigger. Participants from every region and sector recognised that their challenges rhyme more than they differ. Whether in Scotland, Manchester, Bristol or Oxford, the task ahead is similar: connect what already exists, collapse silos, strengthen incentives and build national pathways founders can actually navigate. Perhaps most importantly, ensure that the public sector acts not only as funder but as early customer, signalling mission and accelerating adoption.

Ecosystems are ultimately human systems. They thrive when people feel connected, supported and seen, and they stagnate when institutions retreat into defensive postures. What we witnessed in Edinburgh was the early shape of a movement: a collective voice determined to design a UK innovation story that is not derivative, but distinct.

The momentum is real. The belief is real. Now comes the work of turning clarity into action.

Deeptech's economic prize is significant for Scotland, guest blog by Allan Cannon, Founder and CEO at Deep Signal, and Entrepreneur in Residence at CodeBase

A quiet but significant shift is taking place in global technology and investment markets—and it has major implications for Scotland. Deeptech, built on advances in engineering, science and applied research, is moving back to the centre of economic and strategic importance. For founders, investors and policymakers, this represents a rare opportunity to turn long-standing strengths into sustained economic growth.

Deeptech differs from much of the digital economy of the past decade. Rather than consumer apps or platform software, it focuses on solving hard, physical problems: energy generation and storage, advanced manufacturing, defence systems, space infrastructure, robotics, photonics and industrial automation. These technologies are increasingly central to national priorities, from energy security and climate resilience to defence capability and supply-chain independence.

What makes the current moment distinctive is the convergence of deeptech with artificial intelligence. AI is no longer a standalone sector; it is becoming an enabling layer across physical systems. In areas such as energy networks, autonomous platforms, materials discovery and industrial optimisation, AI is dramatically reducing development cycles and costs. Design that once took years can now be simulated, refined and validated at unprecedented speed. This is changing the economics of deeptech venture creation and making it more accessible to venture-backed teams.

Scotland has a long history of invention and engineering excellence, from medicine and telecommunications to computing and energy. Its universities continue to produce world-class research and a disproportionate share of UK research spin-outs relative to population. The challenge has rarely been innovation itself, but scale: too many promising technologies have been commercialised elsewhere or sold early, limiting long-term economic impact at home.

That challenge is now colliding with a changing geopolitical landscape. Globally, there is growing recognition that reliance on external suppliers for critical technologies carries economic and security risks. Energy systems, defence capabilities, space assets and industrial infrastructure are increasingly seen through a strategic lens. Governments and large corporates are actively seeking domestic and technology suppliers, backed by funding, procurement programmes and long-term demand.

Capital is responding in parallel. After years focused on fast-growing digital platforms, global venture capital is shifting back toward its roots in science and engineering-led innovation. In Europe, deeptech now accounts for a rising share of venture investment by value, particularly in energy, defence, space and industrial technology. Investors are drawn by defensibility, long-term relevance and alignment with structural trends rather than short-term consumer cycles.

For Scotland, this alignment is significant. The country combines research depth, applied engineering talent, access to energy and industrial assets, and credible test environments. These factors reduce the gap between invention and deployment—a critical advantage in deeptech. With better alignment between capital, procurement and scale-up support, Scotland can move from being a source of ideas to a place where globally competitive deeptech companies are built and grown.

The economic prize is substantial. Deeptech companies tend to anchor high-value jobs, retain intellectual property and generate export-led growth. For founders, this is a moment to build ambitious, globally relevant businesses. For investors and policymakers, it is an opportunity to convert decades of research strength into long-term economic resilience.

Scottish SMEs want more support to scale, by Nick Freer

A recent survey of Scottish SMEs by enterprise and business support group Elevator, which has supported over 3,500 SMEs over the last few years, revealed findings indicating that business owners are in a relatively confident mood in spite of rising costs and funding challenges. 

According to the survey, 72 per cent of SMEs said their running costs have increased this year.  Meanwhile, two-thirds of SMEs want more external support, while 40 per cent said access to finance is their biggest roadblock to growth.

60 per cent of respondents said grants are their primary source of external finance, 21 per cent said debt finance, with 14 per cent securing equity finance as their primary source.  43 per cent have received support from Business Gateway, 28 per cent from Scottish Enterprise, 13 per cent from Scottish Government, 11 per cent from UK Government, and 6 per cent from Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

51 per cent of respondents said their revenue increased in their last financial year, 23 per cent said revenue decreased, and 26 per cent said turnover stayed at a similar level.

3 out of 4 businesses said they are now using AI, with over half of the sample planning to invest in technology over the next 12 months.  

Commenting on the survey, Graham Ramsay, Director of Lochgilphead-based Midton Acrylics, a design and manufacturing firm that includes Formula 1, Red Bull, and Universal Music among its client base, said: “We have embedded AI and new technologies into our processes, freeing our team up to focus on creativity, innovation, and delivering even more value to our clients.” 

What the survey also mapped out, as discussed by Elevator CEO Rachel Ross on publication, is that innovation in Scotland is not confined to our cities and tech hubs, with innovation happening in every corner of the country. Place and community is important to Scottish SMEs, with 80 per cent citing its impact on business success. 

Asked what effects stronger local entrepreneurship would have in their area, Scottish SME leaders said more local jobs (77 per cent), more opportunities for young people (68 per cent), increased local pride and confidence (62 per cent), better local services (57 per cent), and stronger local supply chains (55 per cent). 

As written about quite extensively in this column, there has been a notable increase in the narrative recently around how we can do better at scaling our startups and SMEs into globally competitive companies. 

I joined CEOs and business leaders at a roundtable event run by Insider Media, a sister title to The Scotsman, at RBS in Edinburgh this week.  While funding routes are never too far down the agenda for scaleups, as they are for SMEs, the chat on the day centred more on the challenges around accessing leadership and NXD talent at the scaleup stage. 

Watch this space for more on that next week. 

Technology can help in prostate cancer battle, guest blog by Forrit CEO and founder Peter Proud

When I was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer, it was a life-changing moment. Like many men, I had no symptoms and only discovered the disease through routine work medicals. Thankfully, early detection meant my treatment was successful. But for thousands of men, the story is very different. Today, 25% - 33% of prostate cancer cases in Scotland are diagnosed at stage 4, when treatment options are limited and survival rates are drastically lower. My mission is to work with Prostate Scotland to help reduce that figure to 10% over the next ten years, and I believe technology can help make it happen.

As CEO and founder of Forrit, a company specialising in digital transformation and AI-driven solutions, I see first-hand how data and innovation can solve complex problems. Healthcare is no exception. The challenge is clear: men are not being diagnosed early enough. The reasons range from lack of awareness to limited access to screening. But what if we could use digital tools to change behaviour, improve education, and make proactive health checks the norm?

Turning data into action

AI thrives on data, and prostate cancer detection is no different. By partnering with healthcare providers, charities, and research organisations, we can create platforms that analyse risk factors including, age, family history, ethnicity and deliver personalised reminders and educational content. Imagine an app that nudges men to book a PSA test, tracks their results, and connects them to support networks. This isn’t science fiction; Following discussions with Dr Iaonna Nixon, Consultant Clinician Oncologist, and prostate cancer specialist, she educated me how behavioural science and current digital tools makes this all achievable with the technology we have today.

Breaking down barriers

One of the biggest hurdles is stigma. Men often avoid conversations about their health. Digital engagement can change that. Interactive campaigns powered by AI can target individuals with tailored messages, using language and imagery that resonate. With modern cloud-based solutions, it is easy to build systems that manage complex content securely and at scale, perfect for national awareness campaigns that need to reach millions while respecting privacy.

Predictive analytics for prevention

Beyond awareness, AI can help predict who is most at risk. By integrating anonymised health data, machine learning models can identify patterns and flag individuals who should seek testing sooner. This proactive approach could dramatically reduce late-stage diagnoses, saving lives and reducing strain on healthcare systems. Dr Ioanna Nixon, Consultant Clinical

A personal commitment

My experience has taught me the value of early detection. It also gave me a purpose: to ensure fewer men face the fear and uncertainty of a stage 4 diagnosis. By combining Scotland’s digital expertise, with the power of AI, amazing clinicians like Dr Ioanna Nixon, and charities like Prostate Scotland, it is possible to create solutions that educate, engage, and empower. The goal is ambitious, cutting late-stage diagnoses from 25%/33% to 10%,but with collaboration and innovation, it’s within reach.

Prostate cancer does not have to be a silent killer. Technology can give men a voice, a choice, and a chance. And that is a future worth fighting for.

Scottish scaleups are sound but near more vision, by Nick Freer

It was announced last week that Infracost, a technology platform used by over 1 in 10 Fortune 500 companies in the United States to track cloud computing costs, raised a $15 million series A investment round led by Pruven Capital with participation by Y Combinator and Sequoia Capital, two of the world’s most storied venture capital firms.  

What many won’t have realised is that Infracost has strong roots in Edinburgh and Scotland.  The founding team of brothers Hassan and Ali Khajeh-Hosseini and Alistair Scott previously built one of the first cloud cost management startups from a base here - and as their latest venture Infracost has a distributed workforce, its teams are now located in San Diego, Orange County, California, and here in Scotland’s capital.

Only Hassan, Ali, and Alistair know the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into turning Infracost into such an investable technology scaleup company - and because Hassan wrote for this column (‘The incredible power of networks for startups’) almost exactly four years ago, when Infracost was in its infancy, it’s insightful to see how clear a vision Hassan had for his company’s success at that time. 

https://www.scotsman.com/business/the-incredible-power-of-networks-for-startups-3455590

Yesterday, at the Barclays Campus in Glasgow, I took part in Kayode Alabi’s The Growth Blueprint Podcast, where we discussed how strategic communications supports scaleup companies like Infracost.

My own experience in this area goes back to Sequoia’s bumper investment into travel search site Skyscanner in 2013, valuing the company at around $800 million en route becoming a tech unicorn with a valuation of over $1 billion the following year.  

I managed to unearth a press report in The Scotsman in early 2012, which stemmed from an interview we arranged for Skycanner’s CEO and co-founder Gareth Williams in which Williams sets out his ambition for Skyscanner to become “Scotland’s first $1 billion web company”.  https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ipo-on-horizon-for-skyscanner-1645457

If there is a key word in the paragraph above it is “ambition”, and it’s a prerequisite for any founder on a trajectory to startup success.  Williams had ambition in spades, and a clear vision of how he was going to reach the promised land. 

Fast forward to 2021 and we advised FanDuel founders (who had built Scotland’s other tech unicorn at a similar time to Skyscanner) when they raised the largest ever seed round for a UK startup, with San Francisco-headquartered crypto investment firm Paradigm backing the new venture, sports betting platform BetDEX, to the tune of $21 million. 

And when Index Ventures led Wordsmith AI’s $25 million series A round earlier this year, we worked alongside Wordsmith and Index’s PR team to prepare and execute the press announcement across the UK and international media.  

In Scotland, as various high-level reports have indicated over the last few weeks, we need to raise our collective corporate ambition and hone our vision in order to produce more world-beating companies that will translate to the kind of future economy that will benefit us all.  

How to ensure we scale up Scotland’s startups, guest blog by Shane Corstorphine, Chair, Scottish Scale-Up Panel

Scotland has always punched above its weight when it comes to ideas. From the Enlightenment to fintech, from engines to AI, innovation is woven into who we are. But once again, we’re at a turning point - one that will decide whether Scotland remains a nation of inventors or becomes a nation of scale.

Over the past several months, I’ve had the privilege of chairing an independent panel exploring what it really takes to turn Scotland from a strong startup nation into a true scaleup economy.

We held more than 75 conversations with founders, investors and advisers who are building and backing ambitious companies.  Those discussions have shaped the report: Scaling Scotland – Building the Engine for the Next 50 Years of Prosperity.

Scotland has exceptional startup talent, world-class universities, and a new generation of globally-minded founders.  But the system around them - the infrastructure that helps companies move from early success to sustained growth  - is not yet fit for purpose.  We’re good at starting up, but we need to get better at scaling.

Rapid scaling requires experience and the ability to make big, informed strategic bets. Two critical enablers are venture capital and talent. Capital will flow if we create more great businesses - but that requires scale up experience.

In turn, scaling requires specific talent in three areas: a leadership team with ideally two executives who have significantly scaled before; a committed team ready for the intensity of building something significant; and operationally experienced board members. Scale-ups aren’t 9 to 5 - they’re all-consuming, and for those with the hunger and ambition, it can be a magical experience.

The 15 recommendations in the report aim to unlock talent and funding while helping businesses to excel at execution and market expansion. They’re practical, measurable, and grounded in what works. More importantly, they call for private sector leadership, backed by a public sector that enables rather than directs. This is not about more programmes or bureaucracy - it’s about focus: removing friction, improving coordination, and aligning incentives so ambition can flourish.

If we get this right, scaleups will become Scotland’s growth engine - creating high-value jobs, driving exports, and strengthening communities across the country. The opportunity is real and urgent. Other nations are moving fast, and Scotland cannot afford to watch from the sidelines while our most promising businesses look elsewhere for capital, talent, or markets. We have everything we need to compete globally - if we make bold choices now.

I’m deeply grateful to every founder, investor, and ecosystem partner who contributed to this work, and to the panel for their dedication in reaching the right recommendations for Scotland’s scaleup ecosystem.

This report is a beginning, not an end. Implementation now matters most - alignment across founders, investors, government, academia, and corporates; measuring progress, learning quickly, and staying focused on outcomes. Our shared vision is simple: to make Scotland the best place in the world to start, scale, and stay.

If we deliver on that, the impact will be transformational - for companies, for communities, and for Scotland’s future.

Funnel vision for startups scaling the tech pyramid, by Nick Freer

At a tech conference in Aberdeen on Tuesday, startup founders rubbed shoulders with business leaders and investors to discuss the “future of digital”.   Run by News UK with the support of Opportunity North East (ONE), Scottish National Investment Bank, and CodeBase, there was a stellar cast on show. 

Among them were Ana Stewart, chief entrepreneurial adviser to the Scottish Government and an entrepreneur and investor in her own right, Wordsmith AI CEO and founder Ross McNairn, and Theo Health CEO and founder Jodie Sinclair.  

The gathering of tech talent and investors comes at a time when Scottish tech faces a conundrum, namely that while we now have more startups than ever before, access to early stage capital remains challenging, and as a small nation our brightest technology companies must sell their products beyond our own borders to reach scale.  

Using a pyramid analogy, tech ecosystems need to build a foundational layer of startups at the base of the pyramid, and then when you flip the pyramid over, the tip of the pyramid becomes a funnel that the most successful startups, who become scaleups, move through.  

What is to our advantage, is that in a smaller country like Scotland we can use the domestic market as a test bed before hitting the internationalisation button.  A good case in point would be my youngest brother Matthew’s digital healthcare startup Infix, which won a contract to roll its technology out across Scotland’s NHS health boards last year and is now trialling its software with the Middle East’s largest hospital operator in Abu Dhabi.  

As reported in The Scotsman this week, Ana Stewart has just announced her vision for Scotland as a world-class scaleup nation, and a separate report released next week by a panel of senior business leaders will further explore the pieces that need to be put in place so our highest potential companies can reach for the top of the pyramid. 

If the profile of Aberdeen’s own tech scene has waned against its more storied equivalents in Edinburgh and Glasgow, that narrative needs redressed when you consider that roughly one in ten of Scotland’s startups are now based in or around the Granite City. 

At a dinner on the eve of the conference hosted by Jennifer Craw-led ONE at its tech hub in the centre of the city, I got to meet old friends and new and hear firsthand about the entrepreneurial strides being made in the region, while meeting some local founders who are out on the international coalface.

Fennex, led by husband and wife team Adrian and Nassima Brown, sells its safety management technology to over 20 countries worldwide and recently won a coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.  

And if evidence is needed that Aberdeen is about more than energy tech, you only have to look as far as Chris Herd-founded Firstbase who, backed by US VC firms, scaled a platform that equips teams and supports remote workers with critical IT equipment and services globally. 

Where Scotland meets the world, guest blog by EICC CEO Amanda Wrathall

In late September, the EICC marked its 30th anniversary, a proud milestone for our stakeholders, our team, city partners, and for me personally.

The story of the EICC began in the 1980s, when plans were drawn up to transform the disused railway goods yard behind Lothian Road. Out of that vision came the Exchange District, a regeneration project designed to address two major gaps in Edinburgh’s economy: the need for international standard conference facilities and modern office space to support the city’s growing financial services sector.

Since opening in 1995 with our first business event hosted by Sir Tom Farmer’s Kwik Fit, the EICC has delivered almost £1 billion in local economic impact. This has been measured not only by delegate and visitor spend on hotels, restaurants, and transport, but also through the wider supply chain, the ripple effect of our conferences being felt across Edinburgh and the surrounding region.

Events remain our lifeblood. To date, we have hosted more than 5,000, welcoming over 2 million delegates. The 2013 opening of our Atrium and Lennox Suite doubled capacity, and in 2019 our global standing was underlined when TED’s annual summit returned to Edinburgh.

Events like TED capture the essence of our mission to create an environment which inspires ideas that change the world. But it is not only about world renowned speakers. Conferences at the EICC can act as a force for good, strengthening research, supporting innovation, and benefiting local communities. They help nurture the next generation of leaders in fields such as medicine, technology, and agriculture, ensuring that knowledge shared on our stage translates to lasting change.

A year later, the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to close our doors. In 2021, we reopened as Edinburgh’s main vaccination centre, delivering more than 250,000 vaccinations in partnership with NHS Scotland and NHS Lothian. This was a moment that showed the EICC’s role as a civic asset as well as a conference venue.

As we reflect, we remain grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council, and for the support of boards past and present who have helped to shape our strategy.

Looking ahead, the EICC continues to be a forum where Scotland meets the world and the world meets Scotland. Through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and connection, our conferences have become catalysts for progress, driving economic value and social impact across sectors.

This week, the Société Internationale d’Urologie Congress, which brought specialists from around the world to Edinburgh, supported three early-career researchers from Edinburgh’s universities and NHS Lothian with funded places through our Exchange Initiative Fellowship Programme. This collaboration, part of our wider EICC Impact Network, reflects our belief that every event can leave a positive legacy for the city and its people.

As we move forward from our 30th anniversary, I believe our future will continue to be defined by purpose, with a clear focus on growing responsibly, protecting the environment, diversifying to embrace new opportunities, inspiring ideas that matter, and delivering results that make a positive difference for our clients, our team, and our city.

Can machines make us more human? The paradox of AI in healthcare, guest blog by Bev Dumbleton, chief patient experience officer at Simple Online Healthcare

It’s no secret that 2025 has been the year of AI, and healthcare is no exception. Across the world, artificial intelligence is transforming everything from diagnostics to patient support. More than half of healthcare organisations now use AI to streamline workflows and reduce administrative load.

Used well, AI can free up healthcare professionals to focus on what matters most – patients. That principle underpins our own approach at Simple Online Healthcare: removing task-based processes that don’t require a human touch, and replacing them with automation that does the job faster.

But with transformation comes responsibility. Trust is fragile, and the public is right to expect reassurance around safety, data, and accountability, especially when it comes to their health. A recent Royal College of Radiologists survey found that more than half of the British public weren’t aware AI is already being used in healthcare. Only 40% felt comfortable with it in principle, though that figure jumped to over 70% among people familiar with AI.  Awareness and familiarity, therefore, drive confidence.

As we expand internationally, we’re mindful AI conversations happen globally. The European Union, for example, acknowledges that many challenges remain – from data and regulatory hurdles to cultural and ethical concerns. Regulation is absolutely essential in healthcare but it must go hand in hand with innovation if we are to meet growing patient needs globally. It’s a complex landscape, and one we take seriously.

At Simple Online Healthcare, we deploy AI with care and intention. Our digital agent, Erica, answers patient calls and already resolves around half of all queries. Crucially, if a patient wants to speak to a human, they can, the option is built into every interaction. Our AI agent will offer a response and if a patient advises that this has not fully answered their question, Erica asks if they wish to be transferred to our patient care team.

Erica has only been up-and-running since April – she is constantly evolving and we utilise patient feedback to evolve how she responds. We continually review Erica's transcripts and calls, ensuring that we are optimising her approach and pivoting where we feel she can better respond and assist our patients – and hand over to our care team whenever empathy, reassurance or medical insight are needed.

To use real case examples, if a patient wants order status updates, that’s a task-based process and you don’t always need to speak to a human – AI and automation can handle these types of query seamlessly, using an API plugged into our back office systems. However, when a patient wants to know about the side effects of a certain medication, then it’s imperative that we are there for them on a human level. 

AI does what it’s best at and our people do what only people can do. Ultimately, patients still want to talk to people. AI helps make that possible by giving our teams more time for meaningful conversations – the ones that build trust, understanding, and better patient outcomes. Every innovation we introduce is driven by a single goal: to deliver the very best in patient-centred care.

Language as a business USP: What Gaelic can tech the world about brand and belonging, guest blog by Elevator CEO Rachel Ross

Scotland’s languages tell stories of place, people, and pride. We often reference them with a sense of historic nostalgia, places that time has forgotten that belong in family history and tradition.  Increasingly, however, they also tell stories of innovation. From global whisky giants to artisan creatives, across the Highlands, Gaelic is emerging not just as heritage but as a living asset, one that gives brands authenticity, emotional depth and market distinction.

Across the world, brands tap local language to convey meaning: Moët & Chandon’s French elegance, IKEA’s Swedish simplicity. In Scotland, Gaelic names have long graced global brands: Talisker, Laphroaig, Ben Nevis, evoking wild landscapes, craftsmanship, making something from our wild resources. For whisky, tourism and luxury sectors, Gaelic offers what marketing can’t fabricate: a direct sense of origin and a feel and sense of a real place.

But now entrepreneurs are pushing further: using Gaelic not just as a badge but as a business framework. The Cruthachadh Chothroman – Shaping Opportunities pilot, run by Elevator in partnership with Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, has showed the business community that Gaelic can shape how Scottish businesses think and operate. All of the modules were delivered bi-lingually, but inclusive to those with different levels of Gaelic understanding.

With delivery and research participation from no less than three of our Scottish universities - Glasgow, Robert Gordon and Strathclyde - the interest in the Gaelic language as a business and brand USP couldn’t be clearer. As Professor Chris Moule from RGU’s Innovation and Business module puts it: “Cruthachadh Chothroman reaffirmed how cultural identity can be integrated naturally into professional business practice.”

One of the participants, Angela Macmillan from Wee Norrag, captured the deeper connection: “Gaelic is woven through all elements of my business… I take inspiration from Gaelic, the songs, traditions and stories used to ensure the language is visible in all that I do.” Her words suggest that for many, Gaelic is more than ornament, it is the heartbeat of their business.

Angela’s success was recognised at the Mòd Business event in Fort William last week, where she was awarded the top pitching prize for innovation and ambition. Wee Norrag creates original artwork and cyanotype prints inspired by nature and landscape, with Gaelic language and symbolism at their core. The award, part of a prize pot celebrating Gaelic enterprise, funded entirely by donations from 11 different Gaelic-led businesses including Skye Candles, Sonas Hotels and JansVans,  reflects a growing confidence in businesses that are culturally grounded yet globally relevant. Other winners of the prize money included Sean Macleod, Gaelic Arts Officer at An Lanntair, and broadcaster Choirstaidh NicArtair, showing the creative diversity now flourishing across Gaelic-led enterprise.

At the awards, I talked about how innovation in Scotland isn’t confined to cities or tech hubs, it’s emerging in communities where culture and language are catalysts for creativity and growth.

That insight has resonance far beyond Gaelic. In an era when customers crave meaning and authenticity, the language of community becomes a dimension of brand trust. To speak in someone’s tongue signals inclusion, respect and genuine roots. Marketing becomes dialogue rather than broadcast.

Which leads me to a timely and provocative connection. In recent press coverage, a proposal in John Swinney’s policy thinking was spotlighted: migrants who learn Gaelic might receive preferential consideration under a new “Live in Scotland” visa, a move intended to tie language and migration policy. While some see it as controversial, the idea underscores a deeper logic: language is being reimagined as both cultural capital and civic capacity. It raises a fascinating question for Scotland’s entrepreneurs: could language itself become an economic driver of belonging?

Elevator’s new Pathways project, taking place early in 2026 in low-income Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) areas in Edinburgh, will engage communities whose first languages may also not be English - Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic among them. Here is where the Gaelic-enterprise model offers a powerful lesson: language difference doesn’t need to be a handicap; it can be an empowerment tool. Helping entrepreneurs articulate identity, whether in Gaelic or Urdu, and embed it in business practice can be a huge benefit and differentiator for Scotland’s economy.

Scotland’s economic future will depend as much on imagination as infrastructure. Recognising language as a business asset, not just a cultural one, redefines innovation. It’s not only about tech; it’s about trust, tone and interpretation. Gaelic shows us that a brand can grow precisely because it speaks differently.

As Scotland moves towards a multilingual, inclusive and welcoming economy, the firms that thrive will be those that see difference not as a barrier but as a brand. In Wee Norrag founder Angela Macmillan’s own words, Gaelic is not just decoration, it is the heartbeat of her business.

Scotland’s tech ecosystem Is growing up – and growing together, guest blog by CodeBase's chief strategy officer Jon Hope

By global standards, the UK’s tech sector remains strong. Ranked third in the world for venture capital investment, it continues to be one of the most active and resilient innovation ecosystems anywhere. But increasingly, the most interesting developments are happening north of the border here in Scotland.

Certainly, the Scottish tech ecosystem shows signs of entering a new phase of momentum and maturity. 2025 began at record pace, with KPMG revealing that more than £100 million was invested in Scottish startups in the first quarter alone. Insight from startup data specialist Beauhurst reinforces this surge, showing that the total value of investment into Scottish companies rose by 108% in Q1 compared with the previous quarter. Between January and early May, Beauhurst recorded over £210 million raised across 99 investment deals - clear evidence of growing dynamism and investor confidence.

Behind these numbers lies a deeper story: the rise of “ecosystem builders” - organisations creating the conditions for startups to thrive. They provide space, capital, mentoring, connections and, increasingly, a sense of shared purpose. CodeBase, which delivers the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme inspired by Mark Logan’s Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review (STER), is one of the most visible examples. Others, such as STAC in Glasgow, ONE Tech Hub in Aberdeen, and Water’s Edge in Dundee, show how activity is maturing nationwide.

Yet even with this momentum, the landscape can feel complex. Across the UK there are around 500 incubators and accelerators, and roughly 10% of these in Scotland. Add in universities, investors and countless other players, and the picture becomes crowded. Diversity fuels innovation, but without a coherent approach it can also lead to duplication and missed opportunities.

Recognising this, CodeBase co-created Ecosystem Exchange last year with the Edinburgh Futures Institute, Techscaler, Barclays, and the University of Edinburgh. Its aim was simple: connect the connectors. The first event brought together 180 investors, universities, policymakers and ecosystem builders from across the UK to explore how to work more effectively together.

The event had many takeaways, not least that the UK has strong tech ecosystem capabilities but is highly fragmented and inefficient. There was overwhelming agreement that ecosystem building should be approached in the context of a connected UK, rather than as isolated regions.

This November, the event returns on a larger scale, with over 220 delegates and speakers including from Canada, San Francisco, Australia and Finland. The focus is on whether the UK’s tech ecosystem is “future fit”, and how technologies like AI can power the next phase of growth.

Some might dismiss ecosystem building as a passing fad - consultants with buzzwords and flashy events. But that view misses the bigger picture. Tech ecosystems aren’t a trend; they are the infrastructure of modern economic growth. From Estonia to Boston, every thriving region has built success on connected networks of entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and government partners.

For Scotland, building such an ecosystem isn’t optional - it’s essential. It’s how world-class research and local creativity produce globally competitive companies. Without it, innovation remains isolated. With it, Scotland can shape its own economic future.

AI strategising is smart thinking, guest blog by Darren Auld, CEO and co-founder of ClearSky Logic

The flurry of activity around Scotland’s first National Innovation Week in late September and the FinTech Scotland Festival that ran alongside it showed that the conversation around AI and digital transformation has stepped up significantly over the last year.

And, in related news, it was encouraging to see the £1 million of Scottish Government funding for SMEs to introduce or expand the use of AI to develop new products and services, grow market share and attract new investment - delivered by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, The Data Lab, and the Scottish AI Alliance.

Of course, the real engine of technological change in Scotland comes from our entrepreneurs and business leaders.  Scotland is a nation of problem solvers, known for achieving outsized global impact.  The next few years will reveal whether or not we can grasp the vast opportunities for innovation and growth offered by AI.

However, a report by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in August found that AI adoption is anything but straightforward.  Despite tens of billions of enterprise investment in generative artificial intelligence, AI pilot failure is the norm, with 95 per cent of corporate AI initiatives showing zero return according to academic powerhouse MIT.

So, if only about 5 per cent of AI pilots have made it into production with measurable value, what can businesses do to improve their chances of AI success?  At ClearSky, we talk about bringing AI to the data, by building small, purpose-built models that live securely within your organisation’s existing systems.

The focus needs to be on the back office, targeting structured, high-volume processes first in order to achieve clear and transformative return on investment (ROI).  We must embrace a ‘human in the loop’ model’, designing AI to augment human expertise.  This is how we can move beyond the hype and become part of the 5 per cent identified by MIT.

Essentially, are we brave enough to really think big about the radical change, innovation, and opportunity AI presents?

Last year, we polled SME leaders across Scotland on AI strategy and adoption.  While only around 1 in 2 of our business leaders had already invested in AI, almost 90 per cent planned to invest in AI.  One of the stark findings of the survey was that only 20 per cent of companies had trialled AI before implementing it.

When we engage with clients, partners and peers, we talk about a four pillar approach that helps to make the AI journey as effective as possible, while de-risking the investment as much as possible.  Companies need to identify their core challenge or challenges, utilise high quality data, test AI via pilot projects, and then continually evolve AI within their business.

Our SME AI survey also revealed the importance of having a strong AI strategy in place.  Without a strategy that aligns across every aspect of your business, AI is more likely to lead problems rather than solutions.

As we go out with this year’s AI survey shortly, it will be interesting to see how the dial has moved in 2025.

Scotland's tech moment, guest blog by Jon Hope, Chief Strategy Officer, CodeBase

Writing for a national newspaper op-ed last week, Professor Mark Logan wrote that Scotland’s tech startup sector is perhaps in its “most vibrant state in living memory”. “There’s a greater buzz, confidence and ambition”, continued Logan, and “outside the country, others are looking at Scotland anew”.  

The numbers back Professor Logan up.  2025 began at record pace, with research indicating that more than £100 million was invested into Scottish startups in the first quarter alone.  Analysis from Beauhurst reveals that Scotland now accounts for around 12 per cent of all UK investment by number of deals, up from 9 per cent two years ago.  And in Q2, we saw a 15 per cent rise in tech company formation, as more founders choose Scotland for its talent, access, and the growing sense of momentum. 

Tracking this momentum will be much easier now through a new open access platform of information on startups and scaleups in Scotland, developed through a partnership between the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Government, Techcaler and Dealroom - a global provider of data and intelligence on startups and tech ecosystems.  The Scottish Ecosystem Platform, launched last week, includes founding round tracking, investor profiles, and market trends. 

Three years ago, I made a move that surprised a few people - leaving Barclays after 18 years to join CodeBase. During my time at the bank, I had the privilege of co-founding and leading Eagle Labs, the network of startup incubators that grew from zero to more than 35 locations across the UK. It was a rare opportunity to build something new, from the ground up.

When I decided to move on, it was because I wanted to do that again - to build something meaningful that could help shape the next generation of entrepreneurs. I’d worked with CodeBase before, from the buy-side, and realised they were the best in the UK at what they do. And I was drawn to their vision for Scotland and Techscaler.

Turning vision into infrastructure

Three years on, Techscaler has evolved into something much larger than a programme. Techscaler was designed to create real, tangible infrastructure to support the Scottish tech ecosystem - but the deeper ambition has always been cultural.

It’s about encouraging more people to take the leap and start businesses. It’s about giving founders the confidence to believe they can compete on the world stage. And it’s about strengthening Scotland’s connectedness to the global technology community.

Since launch, we’ve partnered with more than 60 organisations to support over 1,300 startups. We’ve delivered 700 expert mentoring sessions to 400 founders, helped over 800 early-stage businesses get off the ground, and supported 250 growth and scale-up companies. We’ve taken 60 businesses to San Francisco, Japan, Singapore and China — helping them build connections and open doors. 

Collectively, our members have raised £195 million since Techscaler began. We don’t take credit for that success - nor should any programme. Founders are the ones who put everything on the line. Their success belongs to them. But what we can do is work with others to create the right environment for ambition to flourish.

The scrutiny that comes with success

Of course, success brings attention - and not always the easy kind.

Any government-funded initiative will inevitably attract scrutiny, and Techscaler is no exception. Some of that comes from politics, some from those who feel displaced by change. That scrutiny can be frustrating, but it’s also part of the cost of doing meaningful work in the public sphere.

At CodeBase, our focus remains on progress. We’ve learned that the real work lies not in defending what’s been built, but in continually improving it - iterating, refining, and collaborating across Scotland’s diverse ecosystem.

Progress brings growing pains, but it also brings momentum. And momentum is something worth protecting.

Putting Scotland on the global map

Looking ahead, our international focus will continue. For startups, access to global capital, customers and talent isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity. If we want Scotland’s entrepreneurs to succeed, they need a seat at the global table.

That means being present in the world’s leading tech hubs - building relationships, forging partnerships, and putting Scotland firmly on the map.

Some question whether that travel is the right use of public funding. But the truth is, if Scotland wants to compete globally, we can’t afford to look inward. Our horizons must stretch far beyond our borders.

A homegrown exchange of ideas

Closer to home, November brings the second Ecosystem Exchange, hosted at the Edinburgh Futures Institute in partnership with Techscaler, Barclays, University of Edinburgh and others.

Last year’s inaugural event brought together 180 investors, universities, policymakers and ecosystem builders from across the UK for a day of discussion and collaboration. This year, we’re doubling down: over 220 delegates, two days, and international speakers from Canada, San Francisco, Australia and Finland.

The focus this year is clear: is the UK tech ecosystem "future fit" and how technology, particularly AI, can drive economic reinvention. In an era where innovation moves faster than regulation, investment cycles, or institutional thinking, can the UK become relevant players - or even leaders - in this new wave of tech-led growth?

It’s fitting that this conversation is happening in Edinburgh. Scotland’s tech ecosystem has matured rapidly in recent years, and the international attention we’re attracting is both a reflection and a reward of that progress.

The road ahead

Three years in, Techscaler’s story is only just beginning. The numbers are encouraging, but the real value lies in what’s harder to measure - the growing sense of confidence, connection and collaboration that’s now shaping Scotland’s tech landscape. For this, there will be a long tail. The good news is that the head of this tail is getting wider, that means more people are getting more confident, more ambitious and are achieving more at a rate faster than we have seen before. 

At CodeBase, we believe Scotland has every reason to be ambitious. The foundations are strong. The talent is here. The appetite is growing.

Our task now is to keep building - not just infrastructure, but belief. Because Scotland’s future in tech won’t be defined by programmes or politics. It will be defined by people: founders, investors, educators and dreamers who believe that from this small country, we can make a global impact.

A mindset trained on building is so important. If we are not building we are stagnant, or worse: tearing each other down in zero sum games.

The truth is, building ambitious companies builds belief - and building belief builds success. 

And right now, that belief feels stronger than ever.

AI talk of the town at Scotland's first Innovation Week, by Nick Freer

The inaugural Scotland’s Innovation Week wrapped up yesterday, following five days of related events across the country - aimed at bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, and leading experts to discuss Scotland’s role in transformative technologies and the industries of the future. 

Unsurprisingly, AI was never far from anyone’s lips throughout the week, including at Hampden Bank in Edinburgh on Monday, where a panel including execs from Nile and Valla considered AI’s impact on relationship businesses of which private bank Hampden is one.  

Like every industry, AI is transforming banking and financial services, but for Hampden Bank it’s a balancing act. Recent Accenture research found that 72 per cent of customers choose their banks according to how personalised they think those banks are, and while generative AI is undoubtedly helping to drive innovation, by their very nature relationship businesses still need that human factor.   

Back to the bigger picture.  In Scotland, we always hark back to our pioneering history in technology and innovation, whereas the real question we need to ask ourselves today is whether or not we can continue to innovate in a meaningful way on the global stage.  

Scotland’s university sector has a strong tradition in machine learning, where computers learn patterns from data and of which Generative AI is a sub-set, and our report card is relatively strong when it comes to academic R&D output.  But in industry itself, where R&D becomes commercialised, how are we doing as an AI nation in 2025? 

This week, Europe’s leading tech startup news site Sifted, owned by the Financial Times, ran a feature - “The rise of the AI healthcare ecosystem” - in which Sifted wrote: “Driven by world-class research, academic strength and NHS collaborations, Scotland is positioning itself as a rising hub for AI healthtech and attracting growing interest from investors.”

This would certainly seem like encouraging news, and perhaps no surprise that Scotland is translating a proud centuries-long history in medical innovation into cutting-edge healthtech startups.

The Scots legal profession is another sector steeped in history, and perhaps our most promising AI-enabled startup is to be found here.  Former canny lawyer turned coder Ross McNairn founded legaltech startup Wordsmith here in Edinburgh, backed by highly-rated global venture capital firm Index Ventures. 

Back to the macro.  Where is AI taking us over the next few years and how is it going to impact the global economy?  Speaking to a few ‘high heidiyns’ from the Scottish tech scene at ScotlandIS’s Innovation Summit at the EICC on Thursday, the main takeaway seems to be that success will not lie in completely automating human tasks, but in integrating AI systems to enable continuous operations while maintaining human oversight where it matters most.  

This hybrid approach will likely define the next phase of the economic evolution, creating a more responsive and efficient economy that never sleeps. 

So, Scotland’s challenge, and opportunity, will be to harness AI, not as a replacement for human ingenuity, but as a co-pilot in shaping a smarter, faster, and truly global future.

Scotland's video games sector has potential to have outsized impact on global stage, by Nick Freer

Some of the world’s top execs from the video games industry landed in Scotland this week, with leading industry conference DICE taking place in Edinburgh and Dundee, supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.   

According to Chris van der Kuyl, chairman of 4J studios, developers of Minecraft’s console edition, and considered by many to be a doyen of the sector here: “DICE comes at an inflexion point for Scotland, which is well placed to lead the way and have an outsized impact on the global stage.” 

Having helped to bring DICE to Scotland’s capital and his hometown, van der Kuyl points to the forthcoming release of Rockstar North’s GTA 6, forecast by commentators to reshape the entire video game landscape, and 4J’s own new game Reforj as evidence of how Scotland can make an outsized impact on the global stage. 

Currently, Scotland has around 500 gaming studios, employing thousands of staff and launching hundreds of new games each year.  But the general feeling is that we can be much more.  

Nintendo was one of the industry giants in town this week, with Satoru Shibata, Nintendo’s managing executive officer, opening DICE with a keynote address.  In a press release we helped organise, Mr Shibata commented: “It is great to be here in Scotland, a country that has a big reputation in video game development, and to have the opportunity to discuss the road ahead for the industry with peers.”

Nintendo released Switch 2, the successor to its Switch hybrid device, earlier this year, and in the US alone it has already reached over 2 million sales.  Mr Shibata, who is also a director at Japanese media phenomenon Pokémon, puts things in perspective when he talks about Nintendo’s raison d’etre: “As a company, we want to make people smile by providing unique entertainment and a spirit of originality.”

Having attended an evening reception at the W hotel in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening, co-sponsored by 4J and private bank Coutts, one of my main takeaways was that in spite of the video game market being a stratospheric business, everyone I met was very down to earth.

Revenue from the worldwide gaming market reached around $200 billion in 2024, with mobile gaming representing around a half of that total, a year in which the advent of AI gathered pace, venture capital investment contracted after a period of record investment, and market dynamics continued to shift following the impact of Covid.

Speaking to Matthew Short, a partner at investment bank Aream & Co in Berlin, Short said: “There is now a flight to quality, towards both the big blockbuster well known games but also to the much smaller independents that can have massive followings in their own right.”

Given that Scotland is primarily made up of smaller studios, Aream & Co’s view is an encouraging one.  

Confirming what I’ve seen from my own kids'gaming behaviour, Short added: “Games are now social communities that provide as much connectivity and engagement as social media had in the past.”

The importance of computing science in our schools, by Nick Freer

The recently published annual report from Scottish Teachers Advancing Computing Science (STACS) revealed that while “significant progress” is being made in computing science at Scotland’s schools, there is still a chronic undersupply of teachers in a discipline that is considered so important to the economy - computing science is vital in building digital literacy, which helps to drive innovation, create high-value jobs, and underpins growth across every area of industry. 

A teacher-led organisation established by the Scottish Government in direct response to the Scottish Tech Ecosystem Review by Mark Logan, STACS says the tech talent pipeline begins in our classrooms, and our dedicated teachers are at the heart of nurturing it.

One of those dedicated teachers is Toni Scullion, a longstanding computing science teacher in West Lothian and the driving force behind STACS where she is co-lead.  According to Scullion, the number of computing science teachers in our schools is down from over 700 almost two decades ago to 550, and we need to have 50 new teachers entering the profession every year to get us back to a much better position. 

One significant disparity lies in the limited opportunities for teacher training in computing science compared to other traditional STEM subjects. But there is a lot more to this digital puzzle, and I hope Toni Scullion will write more extensively on the subject in this column in the coming weeks.  And, as Scullion pointed out to me when I spoke to her, it’s important to note that many other nations are experiencing similar challenges to Scotland. 

When I caught up with Mark Logan, whose array of roles includes a professorship of computing science at the University of Glasgow, he reflected: “There are two stories to Computing Science teaching in Scotland.  The first is that learning outcomes and results are improving, thanks to initiatives such as STACS, the upskilling programme, and the dedication of teachers in both providing and using these resources.  The second story is of declining teacher numbers, due to a demographic time-bomb that sees older teachers retiring and not being replaced. Our teachers are stepping up. It's time that Cabinet Secretary Gilruth did the same. Indifference is not a strategy."

Diversity is another area of focus for STACS, embedding female role models in lesson plans, with Scullion commenting: “Diversity is at the heart of everything STACS does.  Our resources ensure talented female role models are woven into the fabric of computing science from day one.”

On the subject of female role models, next week sees the 2nd annual Female Founders Growth Summit take place at RBS Gogarburn in Edinburgh.  Since last year’s inaugural summit, the chair of conference organiser Pathways Forward, Ana Stewart, was appointed as successor to Mark Logan as the Scottish Government’s Chief Entrepreneur.  

At the summit on Tuesday, it will be interesting to hear from Stewart about progress and her own blueprint for a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that is positioned to support our most talented entrepreneurs, which of course will in turn boost the nation’s overall economic growth. 

Can Scotland make the Quantum Leap? By Nick Freer

At CodeBase in Edinburgh earlier this week, the ScaleUp Institute and some of the UK’s main players in quantum computing and photonics gathered to discuss an industry that is already valued at around £1.5 billion in Scotland.

For those of us who are not quantum computing professors or rocket scientists, it can be difficult to get your head around this emerging technology, but thankfully there was an actual professor on hand to provide an idiot’s guide.

Christopher Leburn, Technology Exploitation Director at the University of Strathclyde and founder of spinout company Chromacity, explained how photonics increasingly play a part in our daily lives - from switching on our TV or phone, to using lasers to combat cancer cells.

Essentially, photonics are integral to quantum computing and are used as qubits, or “messengers”, connecting quantum computers and enabling large scale quantum systems.

Attempting not to glaze over with an extra shot of caffeine, a quick Google search revealed that Chromacity develops and manufactures infra-red lasers used in quantum applications, with an international customer base that includes Harvard University and the US Air Force.

Now somewhat more informed, the next speaker up, from the Fraunhofer research institute, explained how the latest Apple chip is made up of billions of transistors, and how Fraunhofer works with a myriad of UK and international clients on “cold atoms” and “miniturisation”.

Describing Scotland’s sector as “Glentanglement” and “Quantum Valley”, Fraunhofer says we have around 60 native companies in the space, and forecasts suggest we are on track to triple the value of the quantum computing and photonics industry by 2030.

Commentators agree it is “goldrush time” in quantum computing and every nation is scrambling to provide the “picks and shovels”.  Back at the conference, Scaleup Institute CEO Irene Graham pointed to the range of funding available from the likes of Scottish Enterprise, InnovateUK, and the British Business Bank, in addition to private sector investment, for early stage startups who can have an outsized impact.

Scotland has a world-class university sector, and we have been producing photonics spinouts for over 50 years.  At the same time, it’s generally accepted that we could be doing an even better job at commercialising.  The current run rate shows that we are creating only one or two photonics-related companies every year.

Speaking to one quantum startup yesterday, a spinout from University of Glasgow that was incorporated only last week, the founder gave his take on the opportunity for Scotland to play a meaningful role on a global scale.

Dr Jack Brennan, founder of Quantcore, which specialises in superconducting hardware manufacturing with a focus on quantum computing and quantum sensors, said: “We have a huge strength in quantum research, which is recognised worldwide, and that gives us a chance to play a leading role in the development and commercialisation of quantum technology for real world applications.”

2025 is the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, marking the 100th anniversary of quantum technology by the United Nations.  Hopefully Scotland can play a leading role in the century ahead.   

At the cutting edge of the Scottish tech scene, guest blog by Melissa Gray, SVP Ecosystem Partnerships at CodeBase and former senior Cisco exec

Strategic partnerships form the backbone of thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems, creating synergies that amplify support for innovative businesses - a model that is integral to our strategy and operations at CodeBase and the Techscaler programme we run for the Scottish Government.

Scottish EDGE, Scotland’s biggest business funding competition and a cornerstone of the nation’s startup landscape, is one of the partnerships which best illustrates this approach.

Funded by the Hunter Foundation, Royal Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, and private donors, the prestigious competition has supported over 700 early stage Scottish businesses since 2014, delivering over £29 million in award funding during that time.  And just this week, the Scottish Government announced an additional £3.6 million of funding for EDGE.    

Techscaler’s collaboration with Scottish EDGE is strategically important as it unites Scotland’s leading tech scaling platform with the nation’s premier funding competition, aligning with Techscaler’s mission to accelerate Scotland’s tech ecosystem by ensuring that innovative startups receive comprehensive support - from educational programmes and mentorship to funding.

Now in its third year, Techscaler supports over 1,200 startups who have collectively raised over £120 million since 2023, and Scottish EDGE is one of over 60 related partnerships we have in place.

Key focus areas include cross-promotion of support opportunities for entrepreneurs, facilitating connections to co-develop educational programmes, events, and community resources.  Eligible Scottish EDGE winners get direct access to Techcaler’s educational programmes and mentorship services, while early stage startups engaged with Techscaler receive targeted support to pursue Scottish EDGE funding.

The strategic alignment supports the broader ambitions of the Scottish Government to cultivate a thriving, interconnected ecosystem that spans all regions of Scotland, ensuring that no innovative business is left without the kind of support needed for sustainable growth.

One flagship element of the partnership is the Techscaler sponsored Young EDGE Award, a £15,000 prize specifically designed to support innovative tech businesses led by founders under the age of 30, with a view to nurturing Scotland’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

The inaugural Techscaler Young EDGE Award was won by Shifted Group, a staffing platform for the hospitality industry founded by University of Glasgow student Cian Smith and Napier University graduate Callum Leith.  Their innovative app connects venues needing staff with pre-vetted employees, eliminating traditional agency requirements and paperwork - exemplifying the type of tech innovation our partnership aims to support.

At Scottish EDGE’s 25th round in May, 18 of the award winners were also Techscaler members, representing combined winnings of around £400,000.

As Scottish EDGE CEO Evelyn McDonald puts it: “At Scottish EDGE we believe that access to the right blend of funding, education, and community support enables ambitious founders to thrive. Our partnership with Techscaler, including the Techscaler Young EDGE Award, is a powerful example of how collaboration across Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem can open more doors for early-stage businesses, encourage inclusive engagement, and accelerate growth. We are confident this partnership will continue to deliver results, nurturing the next generation of innovative companies that will strengthen Scotland’s reputation as a place to start and scale your business.”

The business of rugby, by Nick Freer

As the Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off this weekend, the game has never been in better shape - according to Deloitte, the women’s elite sport is set to generate £1.8 billion globally this year, following a three-year “super growth” period since the tournament was held in New Zealand in 2022.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup in England is forecast to attract up to 400,000 attendees, amassing 50 million global viewing hours, while attracting a whole new fanbase for the sport.  United States player Ilona Maher, named at outside centre for last night’s World Cup opener against England, personifies the popularity of women’s rugby with almost 9 million social media followers and Hollywood beckoning.

This afternoon in Manchester, Scotland embarks on the tournament against old foe Wales, a team only one place below the Scots in the world rankings.  With a tight head-to-head record against the Welsh in recent times, today’s game may not be a Hollywood blockbuster but it is sure to be a must-watch, super competitive with a good helping of niggle. There may not be much love lost between these Celtic counterparts.

For Scotland, the women’s team has become both a source of national pride and a symbol of progress.  The rise is about more than winning matches, it’s also about changing perceptions around who gets to play the game of rugby, who gets to be seen, and who succeeds.

Who knows, perhaps the future of rugby will be shaped as much by women as by men.  That could be the most exciting part of this story.

A fortnight ago, on a sunny but chilly evening in St Andrews, I joined family and friends of the Scotland team for a night of music, food and drink, organised by sponsors and partners of Scottish Rugby.  What hit me most at this informal send off for Scotland’s finest was the strong emotion, happy and proud tears from parents and siblings.

As James Reid wrote for The Scotsman earlier in the week, with the tournament marking Bryan Easson’s closing chapter as head coach, it will contribute to a lasting legacy and end his tenure at the top.

Those of us who know Bryan will also be rooting for him and his staff along with the players themselves.  As per the motto that Scottish Rugby came up with to signify unity, community, and inclusivity, “As One”.

Has Bryan Easson had to do the job at times with one hand tied behind his back?  Does it make sense for him to be leaving the Scotland setup at this point?  Those questions are best answered by another columnist another time.   

What he does next in the sport or in business will be interesting, but anyone who knows Bryan realises the outsized impact the guy can make, going back to his electric performances for Exeter, or when Stuart Hogg dedicated his British Lions jersey to Bryan for the support and mentorship he had received over the years.