In the coming weeks we’re going to be profiling each of the regions featured in the Tech Nation 2016 report. The second to be featured is the Scotland, which is home to three Tech Nation clusters
Traditionally an economy dominated by heavy industries such as shipbuilding, steel and petroleum, Scotland’s rising digital tech scene is notable for its sector diversity and the emergence of two billion dollar companies, Skyscanner and Fanduel.
With a thriving community, great talent, and continued growth, Edinburgh leads as Scotland’s digital tech centre. Glasgow’s growing pool of software developers continues to draw major corporates, while Dundee has consolidated its position as a leader in the UK’s games sector. Aberdeen is also benefiting from recent public investment in support centres and broadband.
Since the publication of Tech Nation 2016, FutureScot has been set up and has released ‘The Digital List’ of ‘50 people from Scotland’s technologies industry changing the world‘.
SCOTTISH TECH NATION CLUSTERS – CLICK FOR MORE
Dundee
Dundee, the birthplace of iconic games Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto, continues to punch above its weight as a digital tech cluster. At 129%, it had the third highest growth in turnover in the UK, while its GVA grew by 42%. Dundee’s growing specialisms are in Hardware, App & software development, as well as Gaming, where companies like Outplay Entertainment, Tag Games and YoYo Games continue to complement high-growth Digital Media & Entertainment firms like Brightsolid, eeGeo and Waracle, and established companies such as DC Thomson and NCR.
Edinburgh
The Scottish capital is a leading UK tech cluster, home to billion dollar companies such as Skyscanner and Fanduel, along with rapidly growing startups like TV Squared and Administrate. The city saw the fifth highest growth in digital employment (2010-2014) and had considerable growth in average digital salary. International tech companies, such as Amazon, Cisco, Oracle, Microsoft and IBM, have now also created bases in Edinburgh.
Glasgow
Glasgow’s transformation from industrial powerhouse to leading digital technology cluster is highlighted by the development of the Fairfield Offices in Govan – now home to Rookie Oven, and one of several locations in the city providing a home to a new breed of digital tech startups. There are a number of thriving developments that illustrate Glasgow’s vibrancy; STV and BBC in Pacific Quay, Axis and Clyde Space in City Park, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley in the International Financial Services District, ISO Design and Adimo in the Merchant City.
You can read about all the 27 digital clusters featured in Tech Nation 2016 by reading the report online. Alternatively, you can download the report or read the key findings.
