Applications are open for the three flagship Tech Nation growth programmes, which are designed to scale and grow the next generation of UK tech businesses.

The Future Fifty, Upscale and Rising Stars programmes boast prestigious alumni including Monzo, Starling Bank, Deliveroo and Skyscanner.

Each of the Tech Nation growth programmes help companies with access to networks and investors, assistance in expanding internationally and also accessing top talent.

Hazel Gibbens, Tech Nation’s entrepreneur engagement manager for Scotland, urged Scottish companies to get involved. Previous Scottish firms involved in Tech Nation’s growth programmes include LendingCrowd and Administrate, both based in Edinburgh.

“LendingCrowd, Administrate and MSquared Lasers are only some of the Scottish-based companies that have already taken part in Tech Nation’s growth programmes,” she said. “I hope that we will see more Scottish representation on the programmes this year, not only from Edinburgh and Glasgow but from rapidly growing hubs such as Aberdeen, Inverness and Dundee.”

• Successful companies have one thing in common – they love data
• Scottish International Week event series to return in October
• Scottish female tech founders shortlisted for national awards

The Future Fifty programme, which supports late-stage tech firms as they scale-up their operations, is entering its eighth year in 2019. The programme is now looking for 25 companies to take part and receive access to a network of more than 100 alumni, workshops and a dedicated Tech Nation Visa team for hiring international talent.

The Upscale programme, catered to mid-stage companies, is looking for 30 firms to get involved. Last year, scale-up deals delivered around 80% of all tech investments in the UK, equating to £5 billion of just over £6 billion.

Edinburgh’s LendingCrowd previously took part in the Upscale programme, which founder and CEO, Stuart Lunn, claimed was of “huge benefit” to the company.

He said: “Working with Tech Nation was of huge benefit as we take the LendingCrowd platform to the next level. Being founder and CEO can be a tough and isolated experience, so the mentoring and networking opportunities available through the Upscale initiative were invaluable.”

Darren Cairns, chief marketing officer at LendingCrowd, added: “It was great to participate with marketing peers in our Upscale cohort, sharing any growing pains and potential solutions.

“This has led to ongoing cooperation and collaboration on marketing initiatives, best practice, suppliers and latest trends and insights.”

The Rising Stars programme culminates in a grand final where the best 20 companies pitch to a panel of judges to be named as one of Tech Nation’s 10 Rising Stars 2.0. Throughout the competition, companies gain access to more than 200 high profile investors and corporate leaders, pitch coaching and profile-raising.