CodeBase Stirling, with support from key partner Stirling Council, will see founders, educators, entrepreneurs, mentors, enterprise and grassroots organisations, working in collaboration to help founders and would-be founders scale up their business models to optimise opportunities for success.
The scheme is part of The Scottish Government’s £42 million funded Techscaler platform that supports the country’s most promising start-ups and will be operated via CodeBase’s network of seven hubs across Scotland, of which Stirling is one.
'Thriving Digital Sector'
Stirling Council has invested in futureproofing growth to make the area an attractive place to live and work for those in the digital sector and tech industries. This includes: becoming CityFibre’s first completed gigabit city in 2020, the installation of a 5G network and the roll out of *LoRaWan connectivity to towns and villages. Investment in rural digital hubs have also formed part of the Council’s support of the sector.
Stirling’s thriving digital sector has more than doubled in size since 2015 with approximately 3,000 associated jobs in the area. Scotland’s dynamic and entrepreneurial tech industry is forecast to be the second-fastest growing sector in Scotland by 2029.
"Take creativity and ambitions to the next level"
Stirling Council’s Finance, Economy and Corporate Support Convener, Cllr Margaret Brisley said: “Stirling’s vibrant and strong economy provides excellent conditions for investment and business growth.
“Our long-standing partnership with CodeBase allows businesses further opportunities to thrive and the Techscaler platform will help them to take their creativity and ambitions to the next level.
“We are committed to promoting Stirling’s role as a leader in Scotland’s digital sector. Being a key part of the Techscaler network will be important in achieving this goal, building on our world-class start-up environment where businesses can learn, grow and succeed with expert professional support in the heart of Scotland.”
CodeBase is the largest technology incubator in the UK and one of the fastest growing in Europe. CodeBase Stirling’s community outreach programme also offers workshops to educate and inspire in digital skills with a key focus on supporting girls to consider roles in the sector.
The tech hub recently celebrated its’ fifth anniversary and houses a range of innovative start-ups including award-winning Wild Child Animation Studios along with software developers and asset tracking specialists KMSoft and chauffer dispatch system innovators Chauffer Drive Systems.
Creating a supportive environment
CodeBase CEO and Co-founder Stephen Coleman said: “Techscaler is about helping startups and scaleups at every stage of growth to reach the next level. We’ve seen that it’s possible to replicate successful growth methods and we know how to deliver that formula; it’s a case of creating an environment where founders feel encouraged, informed, and supported.
“CodeBase is delighted to be the delivery partner for the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme. We’re excited to build this network and support people in Stirling and across Scotland to start and grow their startups.”
The Techscaler contract is one of the largest investments by the Scottish Government into Scotland’s potential as an entrepreneurial nation as part of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET).