Glasgow to become an international technology ‘powerhouse’

A new multi-body partnership hopes to make Glasgow the biggest smart things and Internet of Things (IoT) innovation hub in Europe.  

The UK Government has joined the Glasgow City Council and the Smart Things Accelerator Centre (STAC) to develop a multi-million facility to kickstart efforts to make the city an innovation hotspot.  

A £2.5m government investment will fund the state-of-the-art site named ‘thebeyond’ which will “attract international investment”, according to chief executive of STAC Paul Wilson.  

He said: "Glasgow can be a powerhouse in the key technologies that will enhance life and industry for the next decades.   

“Glasgow has all the elements - talent, innovation, and a collaborative spirit - needed to lead in what is known as the 'Era of Things'.   

“We believe we are on the cusp of something extraordinary.”  

The 250-desk site will be located at the Skypark building in Finnieston.  

By focusing on industrial, lifestyle, health, and sustainability technologies, partners believe Scotland’s largest city could lead in areas including AI, robots, and nanotech.  

Looking to have up to 100 companies operational by the end of the year, the initiative aims to bring significant economic, social, and environmental impacts.   

Deputy leader of Glasgow City Council Ricky Bell, said: "We will empower Glasgow's start-ups to hone their technologies here and then compete internationally, enhancing our position on the global tech stage and bringing a great number of new jobs and careers in this sector."