Technology sector export plan

Current support

One of the technology sector's key strengths, is its relationship with Scotland's enterprise agencies and trade associations. Scottish Enterprise's (SE) international arm Scottish Development International (SDI), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) have the privilege of working directly with the technology sector in Scotland, providing valuable support to companies to drive exports.

Companies seeking support with internationalisation and exporting can access this through Scottish Enterprise.

In addition, successful delivery of ATN is built upon support across a wide range of networks, including the agencies above, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce network, industry partners and both central and local government.

The power of international networks is critical to supporting the international ambitions of our technology firms. Already, through SDI, our Trade Envoys and the GlobalScot network, entrepreneurs can access a wealth of information, data and be introduced to relevant connections.

In addition to and beyond those networks, industry leads have the ability to support the development of this plan through their own extensive international networks that could support this initiative. For example larger, global firms and industry leaders have extensive international reach and the ability to support Scottish technology firms to access new markets.

Much of the support available is centred on assisting businesses to develop their skills around leadership, business growth, innovation and internationalisation with a view to growing their domestic and international sales. SDI supports companies with their international strategy providing advice, guidance and information on new markets. Through their international activity, SDI in-market specialists focus on supporting companies while also exploring global markets to 'fit' with the Scottish product, ultimately growing Scottish exports. Please see Annex A to view where SDI 'In Market Specialists' are based.

Scottish Enterprise works with both UK and international partners to gather the best market intelligence to increase the export potential of the Scottish technology industry. There is also a wide range of available programmes developed for businesses to support their export ambitions which are signposted by SDI and Department for International Trade (DIT) in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has a commitment to establishing a national network of 'Tech Scalers', growth-focused entrepreneurial hubs with the aim of providing promising technology start-ups with access to first rate commercial education, training and mentoring. Accessing international learning, through the Tech Scaler and international networks will expand our pipeline of world-class technology businesses and aid the development of products and/or services for global markets. Having access to world-class educational and incubation services and international 'Market Square' resources opens access for our founders and leaders to learn from international best practice.

Two excellent case studies of Scottish technology companies internationalising and exporting are highlighted here:

Soben, an award-winning quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy headquartered in East Kilbride, announced in 2021 the expansion of its operations into the United States. The company's new U.S. headquarters are located in Chicago, IL with a North America CEO Joe Cusick leading a team of 11 consultants serving clients in the United States, Mexico and Chile.

Its clients are blue chip national and international organisations who construct prestigious and complex projects across the high tech, mission critical, construction, civil engineering, rail, utility and energy sectors.

Soben's U.S. expansion project was aided by SDI through a range of financial and advisory support.

Soben's expansion into the U.S. stemmed from the business recently securing a leading West Coast data centre developer as an anchor client.

IGS is a multi-award-winning agritech innovator, which designs, supplies and supports vertical farms for growers all around the world. It was founded in 2013 by a farmer and an engineer to address key challenges in the food industry with precision indoor agriculture. The company delivers modular Growth Towers capable of growing a wide variety of crops including microgreens, herbs, salad leaves, brassicas, roots, fruits, botanicals (including edible flowers) and even tree seedlings.

This Scottish success story is growing rapidly: its workforce has increased six-fold in two years (25 staff to 150 in three locations, including at its newly opened Engineering Innovation Centre in Fife). Sales have rocketed from zero in 2019, to forecasting more than £100m in 2022, and the company now has customers across four continents. SE and our SDI specialists have been with IGS every step of the way, supporting their innovation, investment and internationalisation journey.

Through information sharing, providing in depth research, sharing expert advice and making key introductions by our in-market specialists, SDI has assisted IGS to enter and expand in target international markets. SDI in-market trade specialists have assisted IGS in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Europe, with future support planned in Japan and North America. IGS has benefited from connections SDI has made on the company's behalf including GlobalScots in the Middle East and South-East Asia. David Farquhar, CEO of IGS and his Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Lloyd, are also valued members of the prestigious GlobalScot network.