| 2022 has been the biggest year so far for CivTech and this year’s rapid scaling is supported by £46 million of Scottish Government funding over the next four years, including £6 million announced earlier this year by the Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee MSP. The CivTech Accelerators bring together public finance with private sector innovation to solve major challenges facing the public and third sector in Scotland. By supporting tech innovators to grow their own business and industry profile the programme leverages further contracts and private investment for participating companies with alumni companies collectively securing over £67 million investment deal flow and creating over 320 jobs so far. What does this mean in practice? Well, for the first time CivTech will run two full cohorts at the same time. This means bigger opportunities for innovative companies to solve major challenges facing the public and third sector in Scotland and there is still time to apply for CivTech 8! |
| Within CivTech 8 is the beginning of our official partnership with NatureScot, the public body responsible for Scotland’s natural heritage. Under the banner ‘Innovate for Nature’, four of the CivTech 8 Challenges are set within four ‘Missions’ that lock into and resonate with each organisation’s objectives: they have all been built from priorities previously identified in Scotland’s Environment Strategy and NatureScot’s Biodiversity Strategy. ‘Innovate for Nature’ also brings together many of the organisations in Scotland focused on nature, biodiversity and climate change, so that coordinated activity and partnership working can deliver ever greater results for Scotland. 2021’s CivTech 6 alumni companies have already collectively received £2.5 million in follow-on contracts, and there is up to £6 million available to the companies on CivTechs 7 and 8. |
| CivTech 8 has launched! This month we announced six brand new Challenges as part of CivTech 8, together with the launch of ‘Innovate for Nature‘, our official partnership programme with NatureScot. 2022 has been the biggest year so far for CivTech and this year’s rapid scaling is supported by £46 million of Scottish Government funding over the next four years, including £6 million announced earlier this year by the Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee MSP. The CivTech Accelerators bring together public finance with private sector innovation to solve major challenges facing the public and third sector in Scotland. By supporting tech innovators to grow their own business and industry profile the programme leverages further contracts and private investment for participating companies with alumni companies collectively securing over £67 million investment deal flow and creating over 320 jobs so far. What does this mean in practice? Well, for the first time CivTech will run two full cohorts at the same time. This means bigger opportunities for innovative companies to solve major challenges facing the public and third sector in Scotland and there is still time to apply for CivTech 8! Within CivTech 8 is the beginning of our official partnership with NatureScot, the public body responsible for Scotland’s natural heritage. Under the banner ‘Innovate for Nature’, four of the CivTech 8 Challenges are set within four ‘Missions’ that lock into and resonate with each organisation’s objectives: they have all been built from priorities previously identified in Scotland’s Environment Strategy and NatureScot’s Biodiversity Strategy. ‘Innovate for Nature’ also brings together many of the organisations in Scotland focused on nature, biodiversity and climate change, so that coordinated activity and partnership working can deliver ever greater results for Scotland. 2021’s CivTech 6 alumni companies have already collectively received £2.5 million in follow-on contracts, and there is up to £6 million available to the companies on CivTechs 7 and 8. Please note: CivTech Challenges 8.1 and 8.2 have deadlines of 12pm on Monday 28 November, whilst Challenges 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, and 8.6 have deadlines of 12pm on Wednesday 30 November. Challenge 8.1 How can technology help to quickly identify and prioritise support for people in the most vulnerable situations, starting with those having energy problems? Sponsor: The Extra Help Unit (EHU), Citizens Advice Scotland Value: £650,000 Deadline: 12pm 28 November 2022 Challenge 8.2 How can technology help drive effective resource management for a multiskilled workforce in a constantly changing environment? Sponsors: Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate, Scottish Government Value: £350,000 Deadline: 12pm 28 November 2022 Challenge 8.3 (Innovate for Nature) How can technology help to create a nature network by 2030 across all of the different areas of Scotland? Sponsors: NatureScot and Scottish Wildlife Trust Value: £650,000 Deadline: 12pm 30 November 2022 Challenge 8.4 (Innovate for Nature) How can technology help us better assess and identify projects and opportunities that will improve and increase investment in Scotland’s marine natural capital? Sponsor: Marine Scotland Value: £650,000 Deadline: 12pm 30 November 2022 Challenge 8.5 (Innovate for Nature) How can technology help NatureScot flexibly manage its understanding of the state of protected areas by making best use of available evidence? Sponsors: NatureScot Value: £650,000 Deadline: 12pm 30 November 2022 Challenge 8.6 (Innovate for Nature) How can biodiversity credits be designed in a way that provides simplicity for projects and buyers, and enables investment in Scotland’s nature? Sponsors: NatureScot, Scottish Government: Environment and Forestry Directorate, and Scottish Wildlife Trust Value: £650,000 Deadline: 12pm 30 November 2022 |
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