Companies taking part in the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme are to be given the opportunity to develop their businesses in one of the world’s most vibrant tech economies.

Applications will open in August for a set of startup companies to spend three weeks in Singapore to establish new connections with fellow business founders as well as potential investors and customers.

The startups will be provided with office space in a designated pop-up hub for the duration of the trip, which will begin in October.

First minister John Swinney met with the Singapore high commissioner to the UK, Ng Teck Hean, in Edinburgh to discuss the pop-up hub launching in Singapore during a meeting designed to deepen ties between the two countries and help encourage future trade and investments opportunities.

The Singapore Government has been involved in developing the startups’ programme, which will include attendance at Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology.

The first minister said: “Driving innovation is vital to helping unlock each of the Scottish Government’s priorities of eradicating child poverty, boosting economic growth, achieving net zero and improving public services. Growing and nurturing our pipeline of entrepreneurs and start-up companies is in turn crucial to unleashing its potential.

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“Techscaler is central to our ambitions to create one of the finest state-funded entrepreneurial systems in the world dedicated to the creation of high-growth businesses. Connecting our promising start-ups to one of the world’s most renowned venture capital environments is a hugely exciting opportunity.

“By developing our network of global connections and collaborations, including the key strategic partner in Singapore, we are not only providing valuable experience for our fledgling businesses, but deepening relationships, trade links and inward investment opportunities to capitalise on the enormous potential of our growing start-up community.”