Scottish Business Buzz

Scottish Business Buzz (02.08.17)

Edinburgh second only to London as most active UK city for innovation.

A UK Tech Innovation Index published by the Open Data Institute and the Digital Catapult showed the most active innovation communities in the UK by industry sector, with the most active tech innovation community outside of London being Edinburgh – with Glasgow close behind in fourth place.

David Smith, Sector Director of Digital and Engineering at Scottish Enterprise, commented:

“I’m pleased but not surprised to see both Edinburgh and Glasgow in the top four UK locations for innovative technologies.

“Scotland already has around 150 data innovation and exploitation companies with a combined turnover of £1 billion. We also have world-class academic excellence and data assets such as Edinburgh University’s School of Informatics, a collaborative culture between industry, public sector and academia to breed further innovation which includes DataLab – our dedicated data innovation centre – and a growing number of investors choosing Scotland as a location for their data-driven businesses.

“Substantial new investment is planned, particularly in data and artificial intelligence capabilities, which will accelerate growth in innovative technologies. Scotland is well placed to secure its position as the data innovation capital of Europe within the next few years.”

Read more.


World first in satellite technology being developed by award-winning Scottish space company

The news comes as a fledgling Scottish start-up business unveils its coke-can-sized satellite today, adding weight to the claim — reported last month in The National — that Scotland could become a global leader in the space sector.

Glasgow already sells the largest number of satellites of any European city and the new developments are expected to boost the market even further.

Recognised as a world-leading innovator and supplier of CubeSats and small satellite systems, Glasgow-based Clyde Space designed and built Scotland’s first satellite.

The 12-year-old company is now working on a new tool that could be used in the battle against climate change and it is predicted that the tiny satellite will create a “new wave” of space applications.

Read more.


Drilling recognition for Merlin ERD engineers

Merlin ERD reinforce their position as industry leaders in complex drilling as two senior personnel win Drilling Engineering Awards from The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) in separate regions. The awards recognise outstanding technical and professional contribution to the advancement of petroleum engineering in drilling and production.

Neil Armstrong, Engineering Manager won the highly coveted North Sea regional award, and Senior ERD Engineer Sanzhar Zharkeshov won the Russian and Caspian regional award.

The awards follow a string of recent accolades for Merlin ERD, namely the SPE Small Company award and a second Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

Merlin ERD Managing Director, Iain Hutchison said: “It’s great to see another two  of our Chartered Engineers gaining the industry recognition they deserve.”


Business for Scotland are looking for a talented graduate to join our team 

Apply here for our Membership Engagement Executive vacancy – closing date is this Friday 4th August.

The successful applicant will play a key role supporting the BfS 2017/18 campaigns including:

Think again on EU, More Powers for Scotland, Benefit Corporation Tax Credits, Living Wage, Fairness and Equality, Invest for Growth, Sustainability, Innovation and Internationalisation. Business for Scotland maintains a long held support for Scottish independence and EU/Single Market membership.


Only 5 weeks to go until the Business for Scotland annual dinner 2017!

Get your tickets to the business event of the year here.


Join the Dynamic Core Studios team for BBQ and Open Day this Saturday

Let Dynamic Core Studios know you’re attending the BBQ on the Facebook event here.

Dynamic Core Studio BBQ

About the author

Rhona Middler

Rhona was Business for Scotland's Engagement Executive and Events Manager.

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