Many Scottish tech companies will have entered 2022 with a new-found sense of optimism and excitement.

Despite challenging conditions, the Scottish tech sector performed well in 2021, with several notable acquisitions, expansions and investment deals.

Statistics published by Dealroom in December revealed that Edinburgh alone saw 47 successful venture capital rounds in 2021, while quarterly KPMG data painted a positive picture for investment in Scottish scaleups.

Indeed, across Scotland, the technology sector is maturing at great pace as Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen-based startups continue to raise eyebrows.

Looking to the year ahead, DIGIT explores some of the most exciting Scottish tech companies to watch. These dynamic firms operate across a range of areas, including fintech, cryptocurrency, ecotech and the growing agritech industry.

Fintech

Know-It

WE’VE LAUNCHED 🚀

Know-it is the revolutionary all-in-one credit management platform! 🙌

Credit check & monitor, chase for payment and collect overdue invoices all in one place. 😍

Start your FREE 30-day trial today!https://t.co/UNkYmy1nLK#latepayment #creditcontrol pic.twitter.com/ntfhZoO7oa

— Know-it (@Knowitglobal) September 13, 2021

Founded by CEO Lynne Darcey Quigley, Glasgow-based fintech Know-It is a cloud-based credit management platform which aims to make the credit control process easier.

The company’s primary aim is to help SMEs take greater control of their finances and cashflow – issues which many small businesses across the country have faced since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

In December, Know-It was among several Scottish tech companies recognised in Tech Nation’s Rising Stars 4.0 programme. Building on that success, Know-It is definitely one to watch in 2022.

Zumo

Confused about crypto? No worries! We’ve made a super simple video that introduces you to the world of crypto and how things work. Have a look here:#crypto #bitcoinhttps://t.co/9Tjv7H1oCd

— Zumo (@zumopay) January 10, 2022

This Edinburgh-based cryptocurrency startup ended 2021 on a high note, becoming the first Scottish crypto firm to secure FCA authorisation.

Across the year previous, Zumo expanded rapidly, bringing on new staff and preparing for a period of rapid growth. In August, the firm revealed it had recorded a hundred-fold increase in customers in just 12-months.

Founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Nick Jones and Paul Roach, Zumo’s decentralised finance platform aims to make cryptocurrency more accessible to the public.

The firm’s smart wallet provides users with the “safest and simplest way to buy, store, send and spend cryptocurrencies and traditional money”.

Nude

 

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Getting on the property ladder is growing increasingly difficult for people across the country, and with house prices rising despite the ongoing pandemic, the gap is growing wider.

Nude could be set for a whirlwind year as the fintech looks to address this issue by helping users set up a first-home fund account.

The Glasgow-based firm allows customers to open a savings or investment account, boost deposits with government bonuses and incentives and help you to buy that elusive first property. And it’s all contained within one simple-to-use app.

Future of Work

Gigged.AI

The integrated platform leverages artificial intelligence to help UK-based firms access talent to support and accelerate digital projects.

Founded by Rich Wilson and Craig Short, the platform launched officially in July 2021.

In October, the firm raised £600,000 in an over-subscribed investment round, with the funding used to double its headcount from seven to 14 and expand its presence in the talent platform industry.

Desana

This Is Desana. pic.twitter.com/O29RdB1reo

— Desana (@desanaHQ) August 21, 2020

PropTech startup Desana hopes to transform how organisations and staff work on a day-to-day basis.

The Edinburgh startup’s flexible workspace platform enables companies to manage how their workforce uses office space, with employees able to choose to work from company buildings or from its growing network of flexible workspace operators.

2021 marked an exciting year for Desana, and there’s likely more to come as the startup hopes to capitalise on the post-Covid hybrid working boom.

The firm recently secured $4 million (£2.9m) in funding to accelerate growth and expand into new international markets.

Automotive Industry

Coastr

Is your car rental business disrupted by not going digital? Read our blog: https://t.co/DSQgrSUigL that outlines 5 simple yet effective ways of infusing digital transformation in your car rental business operations.#digital #digitisation #blog #technology #rental

— Coastr (@CoastrOfficial) January 6, 2022

Having raised £1.4 million funding in September, Leith-based startup Coastr is preparing for a rapid growth journey in 2022.

Founded in 2018 and formerly known as ‘Nuvven’, the startup provides a cloud-based “all-in-one” vehicle rental management platform, enabling rental firms to digitise their service and remain agile in an increasingly competitive market.

Looking at the year ahead, Coastr hopes to expand across the UK and Europe, and plans to launch additional products including on-demand fleet insurance, integrated vehicle financing and secure connectivity to major booking platforms.

Loveelectric

Edinburgh-headquartered Loveelectric hopes to increase electric vehicle uptake by improving affordability and accessibility.

Founded by former Money Dashboard CEO Steve Tigar, loveelectric’s electric vehicle leasing scheme hopes to encourage more companies to adopt eco-friendly transport by halving the cost of leasing a vehicle.

Scottish businesses that have been trading profitably for two years or more can sign-up to the scheme and help staff secure a vehicle for personal or business use.

The loveelectric platform scours the EV marketing to secure the best deals for participating companies, with employees having the choice of around 200 vehicles.

loveelectric has a busy year ahead following the launch of its Drive Change campaign, which has set a target of helping 10,000 drivers switch to electric by early 2023.

LawTech

Valla

5 ways to maintain your energy when you’re running your Employment Tribunal case:https://t.co/R5gbVlVrry

— Valla (@Valla_UK) January 9, 2022

Valla is on a mission to make legal support more accessible and affordable for everyone, with a particular focus on addressing unfair workplace treatment.

Co-founded by Kate Ho and Danae Shell, the firm’s DIY legal platform helps users resolve employment issues independently to avoid incurring significant legal costs.

Using the Valla platform, an individual can collect evidence, generate forms and send legal notices. If they do require legal advice, the user can connect with an accredited legal professional via the platform at an affordable fixed price.

In October, Valla was selected alongside seven startups to take part in the UK Government-backed LawTech Sandbox, led by Tech Nation.

Health and Wellbeing

Frog Systems

We’re getting ready to send out the January edition of Frogcast, our monthly newsletter. Lots of exciting new content coming up for the weeks ahead!

There’s still time to sign up below ⬇️✨#newsletter #signup https://t.co/WFlMXu8LwS

— Frog Systems (@frogdotnet) January 7, 2022

Led by Phil Worms, Glasgow-based Frog Systems inspires people to improve their mental health and wellbeing through digital platforms that combine video with directories of support.

Featuring thousands of short films exploring social and health-related issues, the platform draws on lived experiences to promote positive messages of hope and connect users with organisations offering help.

2021 was an exciting period for Frog Systems, with the firm one of several Scottish tech companies included in Tech Nation’s list of ‘Rising Stars’.

In November 2021, the Glasgow startup raised more than £840,000 in funding and ended the year on a high with a number of new hires.

Looking ahead, the welltech firm is aiming to raise Series A funding in summer 2022.

LiberEat

#didyouknow that at LiberEat we are proud to work with @thevegansociety and @vegantrademark to bring more #vegan recipes to the masses? Read about our partnership here – https://t.co/JeY5PPmtaW #veganuary

— LiberEat (@LiberEatApp) January 9, 2022

LiberEat, which previously featured on DIGIT’s list of Aberdeen-based tech startups, enjoyed a whirlwind year in 2021.

Founded by Barry Leaper and Louise Cahill, LiberEat aims to make life easier for people with allergies and dietary requirements.

The LiberEat platform provides users with menus, supermarket grocery options and even recipes catered specifically to their requirements. Additionally, the platform enables businesses, such as restaurants and retailers, to improve accessibility for people with allergies.

In February 2021, LiberEat was selected as a winner of Tech Nation’s Rising Stars 3.0 competition while June saw the Aberdeen firm win the inaugural Impact Summit competition, securing a top prize of over £20k and a place on the FutureX Silicon Valley Scale programme.

In 2022, the firm appears set to build on recent success, and is currently in the midst of raising investment to scale and expand its userbase.

Environment & Sustainability

Pawprint

Eco perks: ideas to sustainably engage employees https://t.co/UoaD9jLHFX pic.twitter.com/XB35xUekmu

— Pawprint (@PawprintEco) January 7, 2022

Pawprint is riding the wave of environmental awareness and hopes to encourage consumers and organisations across a range of sectors to manage their carbon footprint.

Founded by tech entrepreneur and Lingo24 founder, Christian Arno, Pawprint brings together technology, behavioural science and carbon data in a singular platform.

The Pawprint app enables users to measure, understand and reduce their carbon footprints – their own ‘pawprints’.

The app provides a carbon calculator which drills down into a user’s dietary habits, home and travel activities and then provides personalised challenges to cut aspects of our everyday carbon footprint.

As 2021 drew to a close, Pawprint celebrated yet another successful crowdfunding campaign and secured certification as a B Corp in recognition of its commitment to sustainability, ethics and accountability.

Intelligent Growth Solutions

Looking for some reading material on #verticalfarming over the break? We have the e-guide for you! In our buyers’ guide, we explore the power, labour and automation necessary to optimise plant growth and achieve faster payback for your vertical farm: https://t.co/94roT2bPqb pic.twitter.com/5fem6sOMSi

— IGS Limited (@IntelligentGS) December 20, 2021

Intelligent Growth Solutions is one of the stand-out Scottish tech companies at present, having struck headlines in 2021 with one of the largest investment rounds in the ecosystem’s history.

The agritech startup raised £42.2 million as part of an oversubscribed Series B funding round supported by Swiss, US and Scotland-based investors, bringing the total investment in the firm to more than £52 million.

In a statement in November, IGS said the investment will be used to accelerate the firm’s technical development and allow for “wider and faster” global market penetration – meaning 2022 will likely be another exciting year.

Founded in 2013, IGS designs and builds vertical farms for growers in global food, pharmaceutical and fragrance markets.

Demand for its vertical farming tech has increased rapidly in recent years, and the firm now employs more than 150 staff  across offices in the UK and United States.

Topolytics

@topolytics is honoured to be a part of @tradegovukhk’s #GREATFutureHK campaign.
We look forward to seeing more UK-Hong Kong collaboration on sustainability and net-zero.

Find out more: https://t.co/lcQkOFAve7

— Topolytics (@topolytics) October 6, 2021

As we gradually move out of the pandemic, the issues of climate change and sustainability will continue to grab headlines and dominate public discourse.

It’s for this reason that 2022 will likely mark another exciting year for Topolytics. The trailblazing Edinburgh company is transforming the use of technology in waste management and enabling organisations across a range of industries to better track their waste.

The firm’s ML-powered platform WasteMap is already used by organisations such as SAP and Defra to track the movement of waste in real-time, greatly improving transparency and helping to deliver better environmental and commercial outcomes.

In June 2021, the firm was hailed for “modernising global waste management” and recognised as one of five winners in the Circular Innovation City Challenge.

Blockchain & DLT

Carbon Based Lifeforms

#HappyNewYear everyone.
Get ready for a shiptastic 2022 when we reveal in January to the press more about our new #PlayToEarn MMO set in space.

Follow us here to keep up to date!#NFT #NFTs pic.twitter.com/x0NqA3bNw4

— Carbon Based Lifeforms (@CarbonLifeforms) December 31, 2021

Led by Scottish tech evangelist and author, Theo Priestley, Carbon Based Lifeforms has big plans for 2022.

The Edinburgh-based startup plans to revolutionise the gaming industry with ‘Project Gateway’, its space-themed, crypto-powered MMO game.

Project Gateway will feature a player-driven, NFT asset-based economy underpinned by Bitcoin, meaning the game’s market economy will enable players to derive real-world value from their unique in-game creations.

In November, Carbon Based Lifeforms raised $1.7 million in pre-seed investment to begin work on the ambitious play-to-earn title. In 2022, the studio plans to extend its team and secure a larger funding round to accelerate development.

Blockchain Technology Partners

Our CEO @duncanjw pitching #Sextant – our flagship offering – at @TheBigScore_eu. #dlt #smartcontracts #informationsecurity pic.twitter.com/pNwEmZIjVD

— BTP (@blockchaintp) November 30, 2021

Founded in 2018, Blockchain Technology Partners (BTP) ranks among the growing number of Scottish tech companies blazing a trail in blockchain. Headquartered in Edinburgh, but with a presence in Barcelona, London, New York and San Francisco, the firm boasts a number of high-profile clients, including the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

The blockchain startup helps organisations unlock the benefits of DLT, enabling them to build applications by taking care of the underlying technology infrastructure.

In July 2021, BTP closed a £2 million seed round led by London-based venture capital firm, Force Over Mass. The funding round marked the second investment boost for BTP in as many years, teeing the company up for additional growth across 2022.

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