Potential isn't the problem. Access is. Scotland's innovation ecosystem is brimming with talent from ethnic minority communities, but systemic barriers have kept many from reaching their full entrepreneurial potential. That's why Techscaler has partnered with DataKirk for over three years to ensure the support founders need is accessible to all.
Why This Partnership Exists
Building a thriving startup ecosystem requires ensuring the right people have access to growing opportunities. Often, the perfect founder for a challenge exists within underrepresented communities – and it's our responsibility to make sure they can reach the support they need. Through our partnership with DataKirk, Techscaler is actively working to bridge this gap, connecting underrepresented communities in Scotland with the skills, networks, and resources they need to succeed.
DataKirk empowers ethnic minorities with migratory and low socio-economic backgrounds through data literacy and analytics training. But their work goes far beyond technical skills. By fostering connections between diverse communities, organisations, and individuals, DataKirk is building a more inclusive, connected society where collaboration creates genuine opportunities for everyone.
This partnership directly strengthens Techscaler by deepening our engagement with diverse communities and improving outreach to groups that face systemic barriers. Together, we're raising awareness of Techscaler within ethnic minority communities, ensuring our programmes, workspace, mentorship, and learning pathways are accessible to the founders who need them most.
What We Collaborate On, And Why It’s Important
For the past three years, Techscaler has sponsored DataKirk's Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit, an annual platform that drives meaningful conversations and actionable solutions for creating a more inclusive workforce. This brings together business leaders, policymakers, community representatives, and talented professionals to exchange insights, spark innovation, and develop real solutions to nurture and empower Scotland's ethnic minority talent.
Last October, we took our collaboration further by supporting DataKirk's inaugural Awards and moderating the African Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Pipeline Panel event titled 'Building the Africa-Scotland Startup Pipeline'.
The Africa-Scotland entrepreneurial relationship represents a powerful alliance waiting to reach its full potential. Africa, with its young, tech-savvy population and fast-growing economies, is experiencing an entrepreneurial boom. Scotland, known for world-class innovation and education, is actively seeking to diversify and internationalise its ecosystem. By building stronger connections between these two dynamic regions, we're creating pathways for founders to scale globally while staying rooted in their communities.
Real Founders, Real Impact
This partnership is creating tangible outcomes for founders across Scotland. DataKirk and Techscaler jointly support entrepreneurs like Shuli Yu, Founder of Yush, Godwin Osigwe, Founder of Coolthstore, and Shola Akinosho, Founder of IFCACA – people who are building businesses and contributing to Scotland's innovation economy.
What DataKirk Says
"Techscaler has been more than a supporter. They have acted as an enabler of the ecosystem that founders actually need. In a landscape where many organisations offer encouragement, Techscaler has offered capacity, practical support, and delivery-strength." - Fash Fasoro, Director of DataKirk
From the beginning, DataKirk chose to work with Techscaler because it understood something fundamental: unlocking Scotland's innovation potential requires intentional inclusion, long-term investment, and ecosystem-building. Techscaler didn't treat DataKirk as a "one-off diversity initiative," but as a strategic ecosystem player addressing a real economic and talent opportunity.
Over three years, Techscaler has supported DataKirk through core funding that enabled them to deliver and scale the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit & Festival, office space provision, and direct expertise around project planning and delivery frameworks – support that many grassroots organisations typically struggle to access.
This partnership strengthens the pipeline of diverse talent and founders, drives ecosystem-level impact beyond representation, and reflects a shared belief in long-term transformation. The strongest partnerships aren't built on visibility moments – they're built on sustained commitment.
"They've contributed to DataKirk's work in ways that go beyond funding: creating conditions where impact can be sustained and scaled."
How to Get Involved
If you're a founder from an ethnic minority background looking to build or scale your startup, here's how to engage:
- Join Techscaler and access programmes, mentorship, and workspace designed to support founders at every stage
- Connect with DataKirk to explore their data literacy training and community initiatives
- Attend upcoming events – watch for the next Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit and related programmes
This partnership ensures that Scotland's innovation potential isn't limited by who traditionally has access to startup support. It ensures that talent, ambition, and insight – wherever they come from – can be matched with the resources, networks, and expertise needed to succeed.
Techscaler is delivered by CodeBase on behalf of the Scottish Government, connecting founders across Scotland to the resources, networks, and expertise they need to succeed. Become a Techscaler member for free today.
.jpg)
-2.jpg)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
