Make it Social

Continuing to build on its whirlwind success, Edinburgh start-up Make it Social is branching out into sporting events. This latest endeavour by the start-up founded by Eddie Robb will see Gloucestershire County Cricket Club start using its group booking app following a successful partnership with the Kia Oval in 2017.

Cricket fans will now have the opportunity to book group tickets for this year’s Vitality Blast competition; which includes 18 English and Welsh county teams competing in the T20 Series. Make it Social’s rise to prominence saw it sign a bumper deal with the Ambassador Theatre Group to roll out its software across dozens of UK venues and shows.

Eddie Robb, Make it Social’s founder and CEO said: “Booking events for others has always been extremely frustrating and it was my own experience of this that led to our software.  ‘Make it Social’ is making it easier for friends to do things in the real world and we’re all delighted that more consumers can benefit as an increasing number of organisations decide to partner with us.”

Gloucestershire Cricket’s Head of Marketing & Commercial, Emily Salvidge, added:  “We’re always looking for ways to enhance the experience of those coming along to matches and by taking the hassle out of group booking ‘make it social’ offers just that.”

Brightsolid

Brightsolid has announced a partnership with innovative IT specialists, MicroTech Group, which will see the groups Telehealth service hosted on Brightsolid’s private cloud platform.

Telehealth is revolutionising remote health monitoring for patients across the United Kingdom; providing patients with a valuable service that offers advice and health solutions. This application is used by NHS organisations across the country as local health authorities increasingly look to using technology as an enabler to support the management of long-term health conditions and illnesses.

In the last quarter of 2017 , MicroTech made the decision to relocate the Telehealth server and database environment from its London datacentre to Brightsolid. Paul Mathewson, Group Technical Director of MicroTech believes the partnership will offer patients nationwide a reliable service and put thousands – including the group itself – in safe hands.

He said: “Microtech Group elected to partner with Brightsolid due to their excellent reputation in Scotland and in particular, the public sector as well as having a history of consuming services from them. We know we are in a reliable pair of hands with access to a wide range of cutting edge datacentre services.”

Europol and BT to Tackle Cybercrime

BT and Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, have announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share their knowledge of major cyber threats and attacks. Signed at Europol’s headquarters in the Hague, this MoU will allow both law enforcement and private industry to cultivate a safer cyber environment for people, organisations and businesses across the European Union.

This partnership is indicative of BT’s long-term commitment to sharing cyber threat intelligence and tackling the problem of cyber crime – developing an intricate framework of information sharing and technical expertise.

Steven Wilson, Head of Business at the European Cybercrime Centre, said:  “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding between Europol and BT will improve our capabilities and increase our effectiveness in preventing, prosecuting and disrupting cybercrime.

“Working co-operation of this type between Europol and industry is the most effective way in which we can hope to secure cyberspace for European citizens and businesses. I am confident that the high level of expertise that BT bring will result in a significant benefit to our Europe wide investigation.”

Arrowdawn

Aberdeen-based networks and communications specialist, Arrowdawn, has secured over £330,000 worth of contracts in the past three months as it continues its rise as a prominent digital infrastructure specialist. The firm has delivered projects for two significant operators, including a global oilfield services firm and an integrated services provider for the oil and gas industry.

The company says it hopes to secure further oil and gas contracts in the coming months, both onshore and offshore.

Arrowdawn’s latest projects included upgrade work to the Local Area Network (LAN) on offshore platforms, replacement of antiquated communications infrastructure and the implementation of a wireless network and cloud-managed infrastructure support for LAN, WAN and voice and data networks in 13 offices worldwide.

Gordon Adie, Managing Director of Arrowdawn, said: “These relatively complex projects have created upgraded networks for clients as they look to utilise modern-day technologies and communication solutions.

“More and more companies are looking to upgrade networks to harness the benefits of the Internet of Things, and in doing so turn data into insights and opportunities. This means there is a greater requirement for a more robust and resilient communication and network infrastructure.

“We were delighted to support clients’ IT departments to implement these projects which will support business continuity and future growth. The recent contracts wins are a credit to our in-house expertise and commitment to customer service.”

Pufferfish Launches Crowd Funding Round

Pufferfish, an award-winning Edinburgh based digital display company launched a new round of crowdfunding to raise £900,000.

The company, which specialises in spherical touch sensitive display system launched its crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, and before the end of the first day had raised nearly 40% of its target. The company has a customer base in 39 countries, however is looking to scale-up its operations even further. The company plans to invest capital in product stock to meet the growing demand for their unique display products.

Additionally, through its crowdfunding campaign, Pufferfish will look to expand production facilities and double its existing workforce.

Pufferfish CTO and Founder Will Cavendish, said: “Pufferfish already have an impressive legacy, built on the demand for our pioneering technology, which has seen us become leaders in our field, working with some of the world’s biggest brands, scientists and institutions.

“This investment will allow us to build a partner network to service the demand for our products worldwide, grow our team and transform our space into a sophisticated R&D and production centre; in turn, paving the way for the launch of four innovative new products.”

Entrepreneurial Scotland

Entrepreneurial Scotland received a welcomed funding boost earlier this month after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged £650,000 worth of investment from the Scottish Government. Speaking at the Scotland CAN DO Festival at Barras Art and Design in Glasgow, the First Minister said the investment aims to help drive entrepreneurial networks so that aspiring Scottish innovators can continue to share ideas and experience as well as seek support and investment.

She said: “Scotland is known for its vision as a world-leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation, one in which growth and innovation go hand-in-hand with fair work and delivering in a way which benefits everyone.”

Entrepreneurial Scotland’s Chief Executive, Sandy Kennedy, welcomed the announcement on the day, highlighting that Scottish Government investment in the organisation will allow it continue Scotland’s rich history and traditions of entrepreneurship and innovation. He said: “Today at the Impact Fest we have seen first-hand the ambition and determination of Scotland’s future leaders and entrepreneurs.

“It was a fitting occasion for the First Minister to announce the Scottish Government’s long-term investment in Entrepreneurial Scotland.”

ICS Learn

Glasgow-based ICS Learn completed a management buyout of the business from owners Angus MacDonald and Par Equity in the first week of May. The management team, led by Colin Kennedy, was backed by mid-market private equity firm, Primary Capital Partners – this marked the sixth investment from the Primary IV Fund.

The Par Syndicate previously acquired International Correspondence Schools in late 2012, however after half a decade of refocus and growth  – in which owners MacDonald and Par Equity seen a 75x return on their investment – the company has traversed its way out of stormy waters and transformed itself into a full-fledged online education provider and pioneer in virtual learning environments.

Colin Kennedy said: “ICS Learn is a well-recognised brand, providing online professional training in growing end markets. I am excited about the business’s future and the opportunities we have in both existing and new qualifications. We will continue to drive growth in student numbers whilst retaining our student-centric service ethos.

“I am delighted to be partnering with Primary, who have demonstrated a commitment to continued investment in ICS Learn and share our ambitions for the future.”

Par Equity Managing Partner, Paul Munn, added: “The total return for an initial £1,000 investment is over 75x on a pre-tax basis and over 100x if you take EIS reliefs into account.

“So, this is a huge success story for all concerned – for the investors, for the company and its employees and for the thousands of students who use ICS Learn to build their skills.”