Every year, a set of companies begins to stand out.
Not always because they are the loudest in the market, but because something is moving. Momentum is building. The signals are there, even if the outcomes are still unfolding.
The third edition of Ones to Watch (April 2026) brings together a group of startups and scaleups that reflect where Scotland’s tech ecosystem is heading next.
This is not a feature built on hindsight. It is rather shaped through ongoing conversations with founders, close observation of how companies are progressing, and the experience of working alongside them through Techscaler. It draws on what we see in real time, across sectors, stages, and markets.
This year’s edition places a strong focus on deeptech. An intentional shift owing to Deeptech’s steady movement towards a more central position within the wider innovation economy, driven by advances in AI, robotics, quantum technologies, and life sciences.
The companies featured reflect that change.
From subsea autonomy and tactile sensing to contactless healthcare and quantum-enabled navigation, this edition represents a growing group of founders building with technical depth and long-term ambition. Companies such as Frontier Robotics, Synqronicity, Touchlab and Radana sit alongside ventures like Vidai, Neon Guard and Iniotech, each approaching complex problems with a distinct lens.
What connects them is not a single theme or sector. It is the strength of the underlying signals. Teams with deep domain expertise. Clear market pull. Early traction or meaningful technical progress. In many cases, companies that are actively fundraising or preparing to scale into new markets.
Alongside the current watchlist, this edition also looks back.
We revisit companies featured in earlier editions to understand how those signals have translated over time. Product launches, commercial traction, international expansion and new funding rounds all form part of that picture. These follow-on stories help ground the report in real outcomes, not just early potential.
The report also includes a closer look at the broader deeptech landscape, alongside perspectives from the team behind the report.
Built by experienced operators, founders and advisors, the analysis reflects a practical understanding of what it takes to move from early promise to sustained growth.
This edition has been curated by our Entrepreneurs in Residence:
- Allan Cannon
Over 20 years across defence, space and industrial technologies. Former Head of Missions at AAC Clyde Space and co-founder of Krucial, where he raised £8M, scaled the team to 30 and took the product to market. - Sara Green Brodersen
Founder and operator with experience across fundraising, international expansion and organisational change. Works closely with leadership teams to strengthen operations and investor readiness. - Hannah Mercer
Founder of DragonflAI, an AI and image recognition company. Works closely with early and growth-stage teams on MVP development, investment strategy and community-led growth. - Andrew McGinley
Founder of Care Sourcer, a healthtech marketplace that raised £9M and exited in 2023. Now a second-time founder with Hosel and an active mentor supporting companies through scaling and later-stage growth.
Ones to Watch is designed to be useful.
For founders, it offers a view of what peers are building and how others are navigating similar challenges. For investors and ecosystem partners, it highlights where new opportunities are emerging across Scotland’s tech landscape.
If you are building, scaling, or looking for what is coming next, this is a snapshot worth spending time with.
Download the full report via the form below.
