The partnership between CivTech and CodeBase’s Techscaler programme strengthens Scotland's tech ecosystem by connecting public sector challenges with entrepreneurial talent. CivTech, an award-winning Scottish Government innovation programme, invites tech innovators to solve real public sector problems, accelerating both public service improvement and business growth.
Why This Partnership Matters
What makes this collaboration so exciting? Techscaler is supporting the growth and resilience of entrepreneurs who can apply for Civtech Challenges. This is a great way for startups to tap into public sector opportunities, secure funding, and build solutions that genuinely make a difference. Together, CivTech and Techscaler nurture an ecosystem where innovation benefits both society and the economy, fostering deeper engagement between startups and the public sector - a vital link for creating a dynamic, inclusive tech economy in Scotland.
Shared Goals, Real Impact
The partnership's core objectives centre on increasing the number of Techscaler founders participating in CivTech challenges while supporting CivTech applicants and alumni through Techscaler's comprehensive programmes.
Key focus areas include:
• Access to Public Sector Markets: Enabling startups to engage with the public sector and secure blue-chip clients
• Founder Support & Scaling Opportunities: Offering founders practical routes to validate and scale solutions
• Ecosystem Collaboration: Strengthening networks across public, private, and academic sectors to drive inclusive economic growth
The partnership aims to improve the success of startups in securing public sector contracts, accelerate product-market fit, and encourage innovation that addresses societal challenges, while enhancing the visibility of Scotland's tech ecosystem as a collaborative, socially impactful, and globally competitive environment for founders.
What That Looks Like in Practice
The partnership delivers tangible value through integrated initiatives that strengthen Scotland's entrepreneurial infrastructure.
• CivTech and Techscaler presentations and cross promotion at events and through alumni newsletters to introduce startups to upcoming opportunities and how to access tools, support, and networks to start, grow and scale a business in Scotland.
• Collaboration on founder networking events and participation in panel discussions to equip founders with knowledge, networks, and showcase routes to market that encourage cross-sector collaboration and the chance to build impactful, scalable solutions. See upcoming events here.
• Techscaler has supported CivTech funding panels to evaluate applications and partnered on the recent AI for Impact Wildcard Challenge 10.11, contributing to the steering group and providing expertise.
Signs of Success
As a developing partnership, CivTech and Techscaler have already laid strong foundations for collaboration across Scotland's tech ecosystem. In its initial phase, the partnership has focused on signposting founders and startups to CivTech's public sector challenge programme, with great success.
Early engagement has seen a notable rise in Techscaler members applying for CivTech Challenges, with several members participating in recent cohorts. The most recent Demo Day 10 featured three Techscaler members - EOLAS Insight, Arctech Innovation, and Rethink Carbon - demonstrating the partnership's effectiveness in connecting innovative startups with public sector opportunities.
The partnership will continue to work closely on joining up support and opportunities for startups in Scotland.
CivTech’s Take
We asked CivTech to provide their perspective on our partnership.
Why did CivTech choose to work with Techscaler?
The two programmes are hugely complementary; CivTech has unique opportunities to offer the entrepreneurs engaged with Techscaler, while CivTech participants can benefit from the support available at Techscaler once they've completed the Accelerator. Both CivTech and Techscaler are providing an important boost to the Scottish economy by supporting ambitious Scottish tech companies that have the potential to grow internationally.
How does this collaboration fit into your broader goals?
Together, we're adding to the talent pool, by both improving the skills and knowledge of those already here and attracting talent from around the world to set down roots in Scotland.
CivTech brings the public, private and third sectors together to build products that make people's lives better, tackling real-world challenges from government bodies, public agencies, and charities by inviting anyone with a great idea to co-develop solutions. This partnership strengthens our mission to be recognised around the world as the gold standard for how governments can work with innovators to drive meaningful, lasting change.
With CivTech Round 11 Challenges launching in Summer 2025 and up to £5.5 million in funding available, this collaboration ensures we can reach and support the most innovative Scottish startups ready to create impact and grow their businesses.
Keep an eye out for the Round 11 Challenges, launching on the 22nd July, here.
Final Say
“Being able to use Techscaler's physical hubs to deliver certain aspects of the CivTech Programme is invaluable, and has become a vital part of our hybrid delivery model. This collaboration allows us to tap into established networks and infrastructure while providing our participants with continued support beyond the accelerator programme.” - Mark Elliott, Head, CivTech Division.
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