Last week, Techscaler joined Scotland’s tech ecosystem at EIE25, a day that brought together some of the country’s most exciting scaleups, international investors, and ecosystem builders for a celebration of ambition, opportunity, and progress.
Hosted in Edinburgh and in collaboration with the Tech Tour Growth Deeptech event, EIE25 marked a powerful return for one of Scotland’s most impactful tech gatherings. The energy was high, the conversations were honest, and the sense of possibility was real.
Spotlighting Scotland’s Innovation Infrastructure
As part of the morning ecosystem showcase, our Head of Early Growth Acceleration Programmes, Natalie Hotchkiss, took to the stage to give investors a 10-minute overview of what Techscaler is, how we support the growth of Scottish tech companies, and why we’re positioned as a national success story. Her talk spotlighted our “Ones to Watch” list, a practical and valuable tool for investors seeking emerging Scottish talent, and positioned Techscaler as the umbrella organisation supporting the whole innovation pipeline, from early-stage startups to global scaleups.
Connecting with Scaleups and Investors
For the wider Techscaler team, EIE25 was a chance to build meaningful relationships across the board. The event allowed us to:
- Have targeted conversations with promising companies, including some who pitched on stage, but weren’t yet part of the Techscaler community. These discussions were met with enthusiasm, and we’re already seeing results - one founder has since joined Techscaler and expressed interest in our next Catalyst programme.
- Reconnect with companies already on our radar who hadn’t yet explored what Techscaler could offer. These conversations helped shift perceptions and sparked fresh engagement, with founders expressing curiosity and interest in future support.
- Forge new investor relationships - sharing insight into our portfolio, ecosystem reach, and deep knowledge of Scottish scaleups. A few conversations turned into follow-ups and requests for our Ones to Watch report.
At events like EIE, we know a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work, especially when it comes to scaleups. These companies are time-poor, focused, and wary of vague promises. What does work? Clear, 1:1 conversations that help companies immediately see what Techscaler can offer them.
Key Takeaways from EIE25
The standout moment of the day? A keynote from Kim Perdikou that pulled no punches about what Scotland’s tech ecosystem needs to reach its full potential. Her points hit home:
- Think bigger: A 1% increase in scaleup activity could boost Scotland’s GDP by 60%.
- Fix the system: From education to insolvency laws, structural change is needed to support ambition and reduce the fear of failure.
- Talk about money: Valuing financial success isn’t boastful, it’s essential. Failure isn’t fatal; it’s part of the journey.
- Be bold: From policy to product-market fit, the future belongs to those willing to take risks and think globally.
We left inspired, and even more convinced of Techscaler’s role in helping to shift the narrative and support startups and scaleups alike.
Looking Ahead
EIE25 proved that Scotland is brimming with potential. At Techscaler, we’re here to help turn that potential into progress - supporting founders, connecting investors, and fuelling a tech ecosystem that’s bold, inclusive, and built to last.
Big thanks to the EIE team for hosting such an energising and valuable day. If you met us there (or wish you had!), let’s continue the conversation.
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