Global-minded founders, medtech collaborations, and international cohorts driving Scotland’s innovation agenda, plus upcoming events that are shaping the next phase of startup growth.
06 November 2025
Welcome to our November edition, spotlighting how Scotland’s founders are scaling globally while driving innovation at home. This issue explores new frontiers in digital health, international growth, and ecosystem collaboration, alongside programme highlights, award milestones, and events shaping the next wave of Scotland’s most ambitious startup journeys.
By
James Trotman
INSIGHTS
Scotland’s Global Mindset in Motion
Scotland’s startup landscape is entering a new phase, one defined by innovation and global intent from day one. The latest Techscaler Ones to Watch 2025 cohort makes it clear: founders here aren’t building with borders in mind. They’re proving that a small nation can create globally competitive companies, using Scotland as a launchpad rather than a limit.
This shift demands something important from the ecosystem around them. Support can’t stop at local wins or domestic metrics. It needs to help founders access international networks early, navigate cross-market regulation, and build credibility on the world stage.
Scotland has the talent and momentum. Now it’s about matching founder ambition with the scaffolding to scale internationally, so that more companies grow from Scotland, not away from it.
GLITCHERS is redefining how games intersect with science, turning play into a tool for global good. Founded by Maxwell Scott-Slade, the studio behind Sea Hero Quest has shown how entertainment can fuel understanding of cognition and brain health. Now, its mission goes further: to become the “Fitbit for your brain”, translating everyday play into preventative insight.
Through Techscaler’s Japan International Programme, delivered by CodeBase, Maxwell and his team sharpened their global focus. Immersion in one of the world’s most vibrant gaming markets deepened commercial understanding, cultural awareness, and peer collaboration. The experience reframed GLITCHERS’ ambition from producing games with purpose to scaling health impact worldwide, proving that innovation born in Scotland can influence how the world plays, learns, and thrives. Read more...
INDUSTRY NEWS
Techscaler Members Shine at Scottish EDGE
Techscaler members LumiAIres and Openbook Analytics have been announced as finalists in the Scottish EDGE and Young Edge Awards respectively. LumiAIres advances sustainable AI hardware, while OpenBook builds AI-driven investment tools, both strongly represent Scotland’s ambition, and founder excellence.
Techscaler member PlayerData has been recognised in the Sifted 250, ranking Europe’s fastest-growing startups by revenue growth. The Edinburgh-based company’s wearable performance technology empowers athletes and teams worldwide, cementing Scotland’s reputation for fast-growing and innovative global sports tech.
Evidence generation and clinical validation are among the toughest yet most vital challenges for digital health startups. The partnership between Techscaler by CodeBase and the Digital Health Validation Lab bridges this gap, supporting founders to build credible, clinically ready innovations that can scale safely and sustainably.
By combining Techscaler’s commercial growth expertise with DHVL’s validation capabilities, the collaboration ensures healthtech founders receive targeted, timely guidance from idea to adoption. Together, we are strengthening Scotland’s medtech ecosystem, linking entrepreneurial ambition with clinical rigour, reducing barriers to market entry, and helping new health technologies reach patients faster and with greater confidence. Read more...
PROGRAMME NEWS
Techscaler Cohorts Gathering Global Exposure
Two Techscaler International cohorts, delivered by CodeBase, are underway: our fourth to Silicon Valley and second to Singapore. Together, these programmes strengthen Scotland’s global startup footprint, connecting founders with investors, mentors, and markets that drive scalable innovation and international growth opportunities.
Taking place on 13–14 November at Edinburgh Futures Institute, Ecosystem Exchange 2025 will bring together ecosystem builders, policymakers, and educators to discuss AI, innovation, and national strategy. Sign up now to receive the exclusive post-event report with insights, key takeaways, and highlights from two days of impactful discussion.
