Techscaler and EDGE join forces to support early-stage start-ups

The Scottish Government’s £42 million tech education and mentoring programme, Techscaler, has joined forces with Scottish EDGE, the nation’s biggest business funding competition.

The partnership will allow businesses that receive EDGE funding to also access Techscaler support – a move that is intended to drive Scotland’s ‘maturing entrepreneurial ecosystem’.

The Scottish Government’s chief entrepreneurial adviser Mark Logan welcomed the mutual benefits the partnership will bring to both organisations and said it will be of “considerable benefit” to Scotland’s start-ups and economy.

Run by CodeBase, the largest technology incubator in the UK, the Techscaler network provide a range courses that cover early and advanced steps for start-ups,  along with world-class tech education.

Under the new deal, early stage startups engaged with Techscaler will also receive support from Scottish EDGE.

Since its establishment in 2013, EDGE has supported over 630 Scottish businesses with over £26.5m of funding, while also being backed by Scottish business tycoon Sir Tom Hunter. It receives funding from the Hunter Foundation, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, and the Scottish Government.

Logan said: “Alumni startups from Scottish EDGE can now access an ongoing development path within Techscaler, while Techscaler’s network of startup founding teams is strengthened further by these dynamic businesses curated by EDGE.

“Relationships like this make Scotland’s network of startup support much more than the sum of its already strong parts, to the considerable benefit of our startups and the economy.”

Scottish EDGE’s chief executive, Evelyn McDonald, also stated: “Techscaler has been adding real value to the EDGE applicants and winners through their range of training programmes, including Reforge for scaling businesses, and their highly-rated mentorship offer.

“We look forward to strengthening our relationship to ensure we are jointly providing the best possible support for the businesses we work with to build a stronger Scotland.”