When people think of Scotland’s tech sector, their minds often turn to the central belt and cities such as Dundee and Edinburgh. But, just like Scotland itself, the cities only tell half the story. Beyond these urban centres, there are plenty of examples of thriving technology businesses in rural locations.

As the founder of ETB Technologies, a company based in Dalbeattie, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with operating a tech company outside a city. And as Scotland continues to develop its technology industry, it’s vital that the growing tech communities, which exist outside of the major city catchment areas, aren’t forgotten about.

Building a Business in Rural Scotland

I love the outdoors, and, having already settled in Dalbeattie, it was the perfect location for me to build a business. It’s easy to assume that setting up a tech company in a more remote area would be limiting. In fact, I can confidently say that being outside an urban hub has its perks.

Physical space is far less restricted and more affordable than in cities. This freedom allows businesses to grow without the high overhead costs associated with urban settings, such as expensive business rates.

Additionally, being part of a smaller community creates opportunities to foster meaningful connections, something we’ve experienced firsthand at ETB Technologies through local events and sponsorships.

The Location-based Challenges

Of course, there are challenges too. For instance, one of the biggest hurdles we’ve faced is connectivity—both in terms of internet infrastructure and logistical services.

When we started ETB, we operated out of two rented offices, one of which served as a workshop. There weren’t many other options in Dalbeattie, but the goal wasn’t to move to a bigger town like Dumfries, as the business was originally intended to remain small.

However, as we grew to a company that now employs 68 staff and ships more than 8,000 packages to more than 70 countries every year, finding suitable premises and coping with limited courier options became a challenge, especially when competing with urban-based companies that had the luxury of later pickup times and faster delivery services.

Another major obstacle has been staffing. Finding the right talent isn’t always easy. Our first employee was a former colleague, and many of our early hires came from local ads or people I knew personally.

Fortunately, Dalbeattie has fewer tech opportunities, which has helped us attract local talent eager for a career in the sector. Creating an environment where people want to work is important and having close links to your community is crucial to this.

Helping Establish a Pipeline for Local Talent

If you’re thinking long term though, retention isn’t enough on its own. A big company in a small community can be crucial to the local economy. It’s vital to tap into this and cultivate the next generation of the tech workforce.

For instance, is there scope to partner with a local school or college to help support students with a particular interest in STEM? What about work experience or apprenticeships for local young people?

We recently worked with Dalbeattie High School to help develop a new computing science course that more accurately reflected the current tech landscape and partook in a school conference to promote STEM jobs as potential career options.

Recommended reading

• Scots School Partners with ETB Technologies for Digital Conference
• Tackling the Tech Skills Gap from the Roots
• What is the ‘Rural Rift’ in Scotland’s Tech Sector?

Planning for Growth from the Outset

In this vein, if I could offer one piece of advice for anyone considering setting up a tech business in a rural location, it would be to think ahead. When ETB started, we didn’t anticipate the growth we would experience, and while we’ve managed to adapt, scaling requires a different approach.

It’s essential to plan for growth from the outset—ensure that the area you’re in can accommodate your business’s long-term needs. If your business is scalable, ask yourself whether your current location can support that growth, or if you might be better off choosing a more strategic location from the start.

Better Infrastructure for Rural Areas

While rural businesses can thrive, further investment in infrastructure is essential. Improved transport links and better connectivity would make a huge difference, levelling the playing field for businesses that have to compete with those in urban areas.

Faster internet, reliable courier services, and better transport would also allow rural companies to meet customer demands and expectations in the same way that city-based businesses do.

Thriving in Scotland’s Rural Areas

Ultimately, the challenges we face as rural tech businesses are real, but they are also surmountable. What’s more, for every hurdle or bump in the road that comes with building a technology business outside one of the main Scottish cities there is a positive, or an opportunity that simply wouldn’t be afforded to a company based in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Dundee.

With careful planning, a focus on community, and ongoing investment in infrastructure, there is no reason why tech businesses in Scotland’s rural areas can’t continue to thrive.