Thirteen companies will start preparing their products and
solutions to public sector challenges for market following the
conclusion of this year's Scottish Government's CivTech
programme.
Having delivered successful pitches at the end of the year-long
programme, the companies have now entered the
pre-commercialisation stage. They have the opportunity to access
up to £7 million in funding to further develop their products and
solutions for the public sector, which range from reducing
teacher workload to improving firefighter safety.
Since the programme began in 2016, around 100 businesses have
progressed through CivTech, with just over £25 million of public
sector funding leveraging a further £125 million of private
funding.
Many are already driving enhancements across the public sector.
CivTech 4 participant Tape4Trees has delivered a revolutionary
tree germination and planting system which is saving Forestry and
Land Scotland millions of pounds a year while CivTech 9 business
Netcompany is developing an innovative digital communication
channel which, when fully operational, could save the public
sector an estimated £100 million per year.
More start-ups than ever before applied to take part in CivTech
10, which invited business solutions to 12 public sector
challenges. Two specific challenges aimed at harnessing
Artificial Intelligence (AI) were included for the first time.
Business Minister said:
“I want Scotland to be a global digital technology leader.
Properly harnessed, we have an opportunity to unlock
unprecedented benefits that will have a profound, positive impact
on our society and our economy.
“CivTech is recognised internationally as the world's first
successful public sector-focused innovation Accelerator, and as a
leader in the rapidly expanding GovTech sector - set to be a
trillion-dollar worldwide market.
“Through CivTech we are not only driving economic growth and
stimulating the high-growth start-up community, but unlocking
solutions that are already delivering benefits and millions of
pounds of savings across Scotland's public sector.
One of the companies to have secured CivTech funding to
commercialise its product is Musselburgh-based BobbAI, which is
developing an AI-powered assistant to help entrepreneurs and
business founders.
BobbAI Co-founder Bayile Adeoti said:
“Taking part in the CivTech Accelerator has been an incredible
experience—one that truly pushed me to think outside the box. The
support from facilitators and the structure of the programme
itself have been second to none. There's truly nothing like
CivTech anywhere else in the world, and it's a testament to
Scotland's unique commitment to innovation and inclusive tech
development.
“As someone passionate about inclusive entrepreneurship, being
part of CivTech and creating our solution in alignment with
Scotland's ambitions has been an excellent opportunity. With our
Challenge through BobbAI, we're tackling issues that not only
impact Scotland but have the potential for global relevance. As a
woman in tech, this journey has allowed me to be a voice for the
underrepresented and a role model for those still to come. Most
importantly, being part of CivTech made me feel like I truly
belonged.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) sponsored two CivTech
10 challenges and will continue to work alongside companies in
the next phase of product development. UK company Rowden is
developing software to improve real-time risk monitoring of
incidents while FireHazResearch has set up in Scotland to take
forward its software identifying and measuring firefighter
exposure to contaminants.
Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance at SFRS Richard
Whetton said:
"SFRS have found the CivTech programme hugely beneficial in
allowing us to consider and begin to develop innovative solutions
for two difficult problems we have been facing.
"Both of our challenges are now progressing towards the
pre-commercial stage and we are excited to work with our
challenge companies to develop minimum viable products intended
to enhance firefighter safety and benefit communities of
Scotland.
"The CivTech programme team have been exceptional in supporting
SFRS to achieve these positive outcomes and we look forward to
continuing our work on this innovative programme."
Background
More information about CivTech 10 Challenges and companies and their
pitchesare available on the CivTech website.
