Welcome to the November 2024 edition of DIGIT’s Movers and Shakers!

Each month, our Movers and Shakers feature gives you the low-down on recent news in the Scottish tech ecosystem.

This November has been another thrilling month, with many innovative Scots organisations and key players doing exciting things. Read on to find out what exactly’s been happening!

Partnerships

iGii and Prymexa

iGii has agreed a multi-million-pound deal with health monitoring company Prymexa to develop a toolkit that detects signs of perimenopause – the transition phase period before menopause that can start as early as the mid-30s.

With 60% of women under 40 not feeling informed about perimenopause or menopause, many experience a range of symptoms and increased risks of depression, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease without guidance on managing these. A lack of awareness and monitoring can lead to misdiagnosis and missed opportunities for early intervention. Early identification of perimenopause allows for more personalised advice, treatment and support from medical professionals.

David Atkinson, founder of Prymexa, shared his excitement about the groundbreaking collaboration with iGii: “We are thrilled about this partnership, which promises to transform lives through our extensive research and development efforts. By joining forces with iGii, we can enhance the precision and sensitivity of our toolkit, accelerating our product development and ultimately making a significant difference in people’s lives.”

Crypto Giants Unite to Launch New Stablecoin

A consortium of big firms in the crypto-space have joined forces to introduce a new stablecoin onto the global market, pegged to the US dollar and with a focus on meeting regulatory standards and consumer protections.

The newly formed Global Dollar Network, formed initially by partnership between Anchorage Digital, Bullish, Galaxy Digital, Kraken, Nuvei, Paxos and Robinhood, has been described as an open network to accelerate and reward global stablecoin adoption, and expand real world use cases.

Issued out of Singapore by Paxos, the network claims that their Global Dollar (USDG) is already compliant with the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s upcoming stablecoin framework, and the consortium have lined up DBS Bank, one of Southeast Asia’s largest banks, to serve as the primary banking partner at launch for cash management and custody of USDG reserves. 

Read more here. 

Abertay cyberQuarter and NCR Atleos

The leader in expanding self-service financial access for financial institutions, retailers and consumers has become the latest partner to join the Abertay cyberQuarter, Scotland’s hub for cybersecurity research and development. 

NCR Atleos, which has maintained a site in Dundee since 1946 when it was part of NCR Corporation, has now become part of a growing network of organisations that have partnered with the Abertay cyberQuarter since its launch.  

As part of the new partnership, NCR Atleos will benefit from secure office spaces within the cyberQuarter building on the Abertay campus, enabling the company to locate staff within the hub. 

Additionally, the collaboration provides NCR Atleos with access to the academic expertise of staff within Abertay’s Department of Cybersecurity and Computing, with initial scoping of research and knowledge exchange projects due to begin in the coming weeks.

Meta Partners with UK Unis for VR

Meta has announced a new beta programme which will work with dozens of educational institutions across the US and UK, including the University of Glasgow, to deliver interactive and engaging content through a virtual reality education platform.

The Meta for Education initiative will see Meta Quest headsets rolled out to teachers, trainers, and administrators, which will be used as part of a virtual reality education platform for students across a range of subjects including science, medicine, history, and language arts.

Read more here. 

Edinburgh University and Leidos

The University of Edinburgh has announced a partnership with global technology solutions firm Leidos in an effort to drive advancements in AI and data science.

The strategic partnership is set to leverage the work of the university’s Bayes Centre, an innovation hub for data science and AI, to address critical challenges in areas such as healthcare, national security, the environment, and public services.

Leidos said that the partnership underscores the firm’s commitment to build AI that delivers high-quality outcomes while scaling efficiently, with plans to combine Edinburgh University’s cutting edge research with its own ‘Trusted Mission AI’ solutions. 

Read more here. 

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Partners with Motorola

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has signed a seven-year contract with Motorola solutions to enable a cloud-hosted Control Room Solution to digitally transform their operations.

The £29.5 million contract with Motorola will provide a single, cloud-based solution to mobilise firefighters to emergencies following a 999 call.

The technology is set to deliver an enhanced day-to-day and major incident response capability, replacing the ageing systems currently used by the SFRS’s three operations control rooms in Johnstone, Edinburgh, and Dundee.

Read more here. 

UK and US Partner on Nuclear Advancements

The United Kingdom and United States have joined forces at COP29 to speed up the deployment of cutting-edge nuclear technology to help decarbonise industry and boost energy security.

The UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and US Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk have signed a new agreement while in Baku for climate talks that will help pool together billions of pounds worth of nuclear research and development – including the world’s leading academic institutions and nuclear innovators.

The UK will take a leading role in the forum, which aims to support information-sharing on advanced nuclear technologies and make them available for use in industry by 2030.

Read more here. 

Codebase Partners with Aberdeen and Scottish Borders Councils

CodeBase has partnered with Aberdeen City Council and Scottish Borders Council to offer an artificial intelligence  programme for local SMEs.

The ‘AI Navigator’ programme run by technology ecosystem specialist CodeBase is designed to help SME and small business leaders use AI to improve productivity, reduce costs, and make data-driven decisions.

The Aberdeen and Scottish Borders programmes, which are free for participating companies, take place between January and March 2025, with applications closing at the end of November.

Read more here. 

KPMG UK Joins FinTech Scotland

KPMG UK has joined FinTech Scotland, the cluster management organisation for fintech in Scotland, with the two organisations set to work closely together to foster innovation, accelerate growth and drive technology adoption within the Scottish financial technology sector.

KPMG UK will add its expertise, helping to develop Scotland’s leadership as a fintech cluster as well as supporting the firm’s own plans for further growth in Scotland.

The professional services network said that it will bring some of the latest thinking in financial services innovation to a sector that is being disrupted by new technologies such as AI, Distributed Ledger Technologies, and Open Finance.

Read more here. 

NHS Scotland Partners with Systal Technology Solutions

Scottish global managed network, security, and cloud transformation specialist, Systal Technology Solutions, has been selected by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) to accelerate delivery and increase capacity and capability of their Security Operations Centre (SOC), following a competitive tender process.

In December 2022, NHS NSS launched the Cyber Centre of Excellence (CCoE) to enhance NHS Scotland’s capability to protect Scotland’s patients, data, and NHS staff from the threat of cyber-attacks.

NHS NSS has now partnered with Systal to create an increasingly effective SOC and Incident Response capability that ensures 24/7 protection across NHS Scotland’s assets, infrastructure, and patient data.

Read more here. 

Brightsolid and Data Storage Corporation

Data Storage Corporation, a provider of diverse business continuity solutions for disaster-recovery, cloud infrastructure, cyber-security, and IT automation, for IBM Power systems including IBMi and AIX, announced that its subsidiary, CloudFirst Europe, has entered into a strategic partnership with Brightsolid, a data centre provider based in Scotland and part of the DC Thomson group.

This collaboration marks a significant step in CloudFirst’s expansion strategy across the UK and positions the Company to better serve clients in Scotland.

Brightsolid, known for its top-tier data centres in Scotland, is one of the key UK-based partners that CloudFirst Europe has engaged with as part of its commitment to delivering secure, reliable, and redundant cloud solutions. 

The partnership aligns both companies’ strategic goals, as CloudFirst Europe brings a portfolio of complementary IBM cloud products and services that Brightsolid will now be able to offer its extensive client base. 

By combining CloudFirst Europe’s full service cloud solutions with Brightsolid’s regional expertise and client network, the partnership provides a robust suite of services for both new and existing customers.

Appointments

MBN Solutions Appoints New Managing Director

MBN Solutions is celebrating a leadership milestone with the appointment of Shannon McKechnie as its new Managing Director.

Known in the industry for her vision, hands-on approach, and ability to inspire and lead high-performing teams, Shannon’s journey to the top is one of dedication, deep expertise, and a genuine passion for transforming how organisations approach talent in the data and AI sectors.

With an increasing demand for data-led innovation across industries, MBN’s leadership, headed by experts like Shannon McKechnie, is focused on building strategic partnerships and aligning talent solutions with clients’ long-term goals.

KPMG Hires New Leadership Team in Scotland

KPMG Scotland has unveiled a new leadership team aiming to help the firm grow its footprint north of the border. 

Vishal Chopra, from KPMG’s Scottish Tax team, became officially responsible for leading the professional services firm in Scotland from October 1st, and has now revealed his new-look senior team after taking over as Office Senior Partner from James Kergon.

Chopra oversees a team of more than 900 people across KPMG’s offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and will now count on help from Susan Dunlop, heading up the Transaction Services business, and Graeme Williams, promoted to managing director and leading the Corporate Finance team.

Read more here.

Zappaty Appoints New Chief Strategy Officer

Zappaty, the secure file sharing, storage, and collaboration platform created for SMEs, is pleased to announce the appointment of Stuart Montgomerie as Chief Strategy Officer and Advisor. With a distinguished career in the finance industry, Montgomerie brings a wealth of expertise in strategic growth and business transformation to the Zappaty team.

Montgomerie, a recognised leader in investment banking, has held executive roles at Santander and Royal Bank of Scotland, and has a proven track record in driving operational efficiency and sustainable business development. 

His deep knowledge within financial services, particularly in areas of resourcing, capital raising and risk management, will be instrumental as Zappaty continues its mission to provide secure and seamless file sharing and collaboration solutions for businesses.

Net Talent Appoints New Board Member

Net Talent announced the appointment of Barry Smith to its Board of Directors and his new role as a shareholder. This dual achievement reflects Barry’s extraordinary contributions to the company’s success and his commitment to its future growth.

Over the past 12 months, Barry has played a pivotal role in growing both the business and its teams. His impact on client relationships and his strategic insight have made him an invaluable asset to Net Talent, and his appointment to the board highlights the company’s confidence in his vision.

In addition to his board position, Barry’s new status as a shareholder underscores his dedication to shaping the future of Net Talent. His leadership will be instrumental as the company continues to innovate and adapt to the demands of the recruitment industry.

Dufrain Appoints New Chief Growth Officer

Dufrain, the data company, today announced the appointment of Daniel Telling as the company’s Chief Growth Officer (CGO). In his new role, Telling will spearhead Dufrain’s global business expansion plans and lead on the firm’s overarching mission of enabling client advantage by inspiring, shaping and delivering data and AI capabilities for the future. 

Telling will leverage his 30 years’ experience in strategic growth and business development across a multitude of industries, from cloud providers through to AI and data analytics.

Expansions

4MS Network Solutions Expands

Data Communications, Telecoms, and Cybersecurity specialist, 4MS Network Solutions Ltd, has announced the expansion of its business operations and the launch of a new office in Glasgow.

Having many years’ experience within the Energy and Renewables sector the expansion aligns to 4MS Energy Transition strategy with the opportunity to widen their business reach. Already experiencing demand in the renewables sector has resulted in expanding operations from their traditional Aberdeen base.

The company also appointed Stuart Little as Business Services Consultant to lead the Glasgow operations. 

NMIS Announces New £5.5M Sustainable Hub

A new £5.5 million centre in the Glasgow region aims to support the transition to net zero while driving substantial UK economic impact. By promoting circular economy practices to reduce waste and emissions, the centre could help reshore supply chains and unlock new opportunities for manufacturers.

The ReMake Value Retention Centre (RVRC) will be located within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the University of Strathclyde – the operator of NMIS, in partnership with the University of Exeter and the University of Sheffield. The centre is funded through UKRI’s ‘Accelerating the Green Economy’ programme.

While much of the focus around net zero has been on the transition to renewable energy sources, nearly 45% of global CO2 emissions come from what me make and use.

Read more here.

Shot Scope Moves to Edinburgh

Golf technology experts Shot Scope announced their new headquarters on the outskirts of Edinburgh. With new additions to the management team, sales department, and support staff, a larger headquarters is necessary to accommodate the growing workforce after a successful round of Series B funding worth $8.5 million. 

“We’re thrilled to announce Shot Scope is moving to our fantastic new office space. The company has grown internationally in the past 2-years with customers in over 160 countries.  The move allows us to continue our ambitious growth plans servicing customers worldwide from the Home of Golf here in Scotland,” David Hunter, Shot Scope CEO.  

New Creative Studio in Glasgow

Glasgow tech startups and entrepreneurs are set to benefit from the launch of a new creative studio programme that aims to turn ideas into successful, sustainable businesses. 

Wilson’s Foundry – named after the 18th century Scottish polymath and inventor, Alexander Wilson – was announced by Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID) through its Venture Studio programme, and will be delivered by three established GCID creative studios, Graven, Spreng Thomson, and Threesixty Architecture.

Read more here. 

University of Strathclyde Digital Entrepreneurial Hub

Named Charles Huang Advanced Technology and Innovations Centre (CHATIC) in recognition of a £30 million contribution to the project by Dr Charles Huang, a founder of private equity firm Pasaca Capital Inc, as part of a £50m donation he made through his foundation to Strathclyde in 2021, marking the largest philanthropic gift seen by the university.

Situated in the heart of Glasgow City Innovation District, CHATIC will provide additional facilities for advancing Health Technologies, 5G Communications, Industrial AI, FinTech, Quantum Technologies and Space research, alongside housing an Innovation & Entrepreneurship Hub and a Social Innovation Hub.

Read more here. 

ETZ EnergyWorks Breaks Ground

UK energy minister, Michael Shanks MP, has marked the start of work on the £9.1m project in Aberdeen, backed by UK government, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, and industry funding, and unveiled its new title: ETZ EnergyWorks.

Expected to be operational in early Autumn 2025, ‘EnergyWorks’ will be the flagship of the Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) Innovation Campus in the Granite City, with the 3,000 square-meter premises providing a mix of industrial and collaboration space alongside advanced manufacturing and entreprenurial support for firms ready to develop and scale.

ETZ EnergyWorks was founded by ETZ Ltd, bp, and Scottish Enterprise, supported by the UK and Scottish Gvernments, with delivery partners National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC).

Read more here. 

Launchpad Build Opens New Research Hub

US-based robotics company Launchpad Build has opened a new hub for research and development in Edinburgh.

The site, with a team of 24, will be aimed at driving the development of the company’s proprietary robotics technology Digitool, which aims to simplify automation tools and reduce manufacturing production costs.

The Los Angeles-based firm chose Scotland ahead of five international alternatives, the leadership teams said, following engagement with Scottish Enterprise’s Silicon Valley based team.

The company also received a £2m grant from Scottish Enterprise for the project.

Read more here. 

Aspire Opens New Office in Glasgow

Aspire Technology Solutions, one of the UK’s leading providers of managed IT, cyber security, and modern workplace solutions, has expanded its Scottish operations with a new office on St Vincent Street, Glasgow. Situated in the heart of Glasgow’s business district, the new office enhances Aspire’s capacity to support its growing client portfolio and solidify its position in the Scottish market. 

Since acquiring Glasgow-based Cloud Cover IT in January 2024, Aspire has seen increased demand across Scotland for its advanced technology services.

“We’re excited to open our new office in Glasgow and continue supporting Scotland’s evolving business landscape,” said Shaun Richardson, sales manager at Aspire.

Acumen Cyber Moves to Glasgow

Acumen Cyber, an engineer-powered cybersecurity service provider, announced its move to new premises at the award winning EastWorks development in Dalmarnock, supporting its expanding Security Operations Centre (SOC) and growing team.

Acumen Cyber is one of Scotland’s most exciting cyber start-ups, delivering engineering-led managed security services, underpinned by market-leading technology to the UK market to help organisations combat their most complex cybersecurity challenges.

The move to EastWorks supports Acumen’s ambitious expansion targets to grow its team to 50 in 2025 and become a top five UK MSSP in the next five years.

Awards

Scotland Women In Technology Awards

Women in cybersecurity were the winners in several categories at this year’s thrilling Scotland Women in Technology (SWiT) 2024 Awards.

During the event in Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel, four out of ten winners working in cybersecurity roles were recognised in the Inspirational Woman of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Career Changer of the Year and Unsung Hero categories.

SWIT is one of the oldest women’s business groups in Scotland, now in their 16th year. Silka Patel, founder and chair of SWIT, thanked her partners CISCO and Glasgow Caledonian University for their continued support in their cyber initiatives, as well as celebrating their partnership with Women Who Code Edinburgh.

Read more here. 

Scottish EDGE Announces New Regional Award

Scottish EDGE, Scotland’s biggest business funding competition, is set to provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs living outside the central belt thanks to a new programme backed by £400,000 of Scottish Government funding. 

To recognise entrepreneurial candidates from across the country, ‘Regional EDGE’ will invite innovative, high growth startups from across Perth and Kinross, Dundee and Angus, North East, and the Highlands and Islands to take part in a contest with the chance of winning up to £50,000 in prizes.

The funds will be allocated via a competitive Scottish EDGE process delivered by region specific delivery partners, including Opportunity North East, Elevator (Dundee and Angus), GrowBiz (Perth and Kinross), and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Read more here.