Pioneer programme links Scottish start-up to US innovation hotspot

The Scottish Government has launched its first Techscaler hub in Silicon Valley.

The pilot programme hopes to boost international contract opportunities for Scottish entrepreneurs.

It will host 12 start-ups developing ideas in areas ranging from health to space technology. 

The UK’s largest technology incubator, CodeBase, will run the programme, which will be based at a Mindspace co-working space in San Francisco's South Park district.

Wellbeing economy Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “The benefits are clear, our start-ups are expanding their networks and engaging with communities of like-minded individuals of owners, start-ups, and investors - this will help increase their visibility and grow their businesses in the global marketplace.

“Activities like this demonstrate Scotland’s ambition to become one of Europe’s leading start-up communities, we are setting an example internationally and helping drive a fair and growing economy.”

Initially lasting for one month, CodeBase aims to create a permanent hub.

Daniel Grant, founder of notation.dev, one of the first companies to use the hub, said: “Joining the San Francisco hub has energised me, and enabled me to connect with people from around the world working at the forefront of tech.

“The power of San Francisco is the velocity at which information moves through the city. It is a hyper-charged network that accelerates innovation, and connects founders with collaborators, prospects, and investors faster than anywhere else in the world.”

Techscaler was launched in November 2022 as part of a £42m investment from the Scottish Government.

Since then, it has set up a network of hubs across Scotland, helping around 400 firms to scale up.