The Scottish Government has reported it is in the process of finalising arrangements for five new tech scaler hubs.
The Finance Secretary Kate Forbes updated parliament on the Scottish Government's progress in implementing the Logan Review.
Ex-Skyscanner COO Mark Logan's Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review for government sets out 38-point plan to foster digital industry.
The scaler hubs will have the potential to create more than 300 high start-ups that will offer mentorship support to entrepreneurs.
The new hubs will be located around the country to help new and existing tech innovators have access to “high quality commercial education”.
It is currently on track to establish a £1m Scottish Tech Ecosystem Fund to provide support for organisations to deliver events and networking time.
Forbes announced plans to invest more than £1m in new devices and equipment to support teaching of computing science and appointing teachers who will drive improvements in equipment and training while sharing best practice.
The government is also allocating £1.5m for reskilling – including support for those on low incomes to gain digital skills.
A chief entrepreneur officer will also soon be appointed in the Scottish Government to help ensure entrepreneurship ambitions are embedded in policy development.
Forbes said: “The Scottish Government is committed to the most radical reforms of the Scottish entrepreneurial system since devolution. Our ambition is to establish Scotland as one of Europe’s leading start-up economies.
“These game changing tech scalers will deliver one of the most sophisticated and comprehensive state-funded environments in Europe for the creation and growth of start-ups.
“Tech scalers will put Scotland on the global start-up map and we will promote their services relentlessly to attract the world’s best talent to scale up their businesses in Scotland.
“A key ambition in our strategy to transform the economy is to help establish Scotland as a world-class entrepreneurial country, founded on a culture that encourages, promotes and celebrates entrepreneurial activity.”
Mark Logan added: “These coordinated initiatives are part of the most significant strategic investment in Scotland’s high-technology industry ever seen in Scotland. Together, they create the perfect environment for starting and scaling technology-based businesses, with the many opportunities for our people that will result from that. It’s a very exciting time for the sector.”
Karen Meechan, chief executive at ScotlandIS, said: “Today’s announcement marks a further step-change in the Scottish Government’s support to grow the nation’s tech ecosystem. The investment in new teachers and reskilling is particularly welcome given the recruitment challenges that many are facing in the sector. We look forward to working with the Scottish Government to deliver these proposals as soon as practical.”
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