Tech projects to receive share of government fund
A firm in Dundee is among those that will receive the UK government funding
- Published
Two Scottish tech projects are among 14 from across the UK that will benefit from funding designed to help boost local and regional businesses.
ScotlandIS' Future Ready programme, which provides business support and learning resources for tech businesses across the country, and Game Space in Dundee, who support those working in the country's gaming industry, are among the recipients.
The money is coming from the UK government's Department of Science, Innovation and Technology's (DSIT's) Regional Tech programme.
It is understood the two Scottish projects will each receive £30,000, and DSIT told the BBC the money will support at least 30 businesses in Scotland.
The £1m of total funding will pay for the entire tech programme, with the 14 projects making up £420,000 of that investment.
A spokesperson from DSIT told BBC News the money for ScotlandIS will provide targeted support and the creation of peer-led support networks for tech entrepreneurs and micro-businesses in rural areas, particularly in the Highlands and Islands.
Game Space, meanwhile, will deliver a support programme for early-stage Scottish games startups including workshops and help to attract investment.
Nathalie Cutting a trustee at Game Space, said they were "thrilled" to have been awarded funding.
She added: "The games sector plays a vital role in Dundee and across Scotland, and it's crucial that early-stage entrepreneurs are able to learn from industry and business specialists while building the kind of supportive community that helps businesses grow together over time.
"This funding gives us the opportunity to make that happen."
Other projects to benefit from the funding include an entrepreneurship scheme in Lancashire, and a artificial intelligence (AI) innovation challenge in Wales.
The announcement follows DSIT's pledge to designate the north east of England an AI growth zone, with the potential to create thousands of jobs at Blyth in Northumberland and Cobalt Park in North Tyneside.
Kanishka Narayan MP, a minister for AI and online safety for the UK government, said: "We want UK tech to grow and succeed from any and every corner of the country.
"It's a no-brainer that supporting projects like these, and encouraging more investment across the UK, will catalyse our tech brilliance to boost economic growth and opportunities for communities nationwide."