Techscaler Programme 2022-2024: early evaluation - executive summary

Key evaluation findings

Observations

The early evaluation of the Techscaler Programme found that, two years into a five‑year contract, the intervention has made strong progress in mobilising and providing support for Scotland’s tech ecosystem.

CodeBase has successfully established the programme at pace, building on the recommendations of the STER report, and has engaged over 1,400 members through a mix of education, mentoring, and regional hubs.

The programme has created a vibrant community of early‑stage founders, with the member survey evidence showing high levels of satisfaction: more than 80% of respondents rated their experience positively, and mentorship was consistently highlighted as the most valuable form of support. Early outcomes are also encouraging, with 73% of businesses reporting that Techscaler helped them overcome barriers to startup or growth, and 40% crediting the programme with directly enabling business creation.

Member companies have raised £118 million in capital investment across 147 businesses, signalling strong traction and a solid foundation for future impact. Importantly, the programme has also made progress on diversity, with female founders representing 36% of membership — above the national SME average — and 37% of applicants identifying as from ethnic minority backgrounds.

At the same time, the programme has demonstrated agility in adapting to evolving needs. For example, the education offer has been refreshed and new courses introduced, and the mentor network has expanded significantly.

Stakeholders particularly valued the international programmes, which were seen as raising ambition and shifting entrepreneurial mindsets, though calls were made for greater transparency in company selection.

The policy environment remains highly supportive, with national strategies emphasising entrepreneurship, innovation, and inward investment. Scotland’s tech sector continues to perform strongly in startup creation and equity investment, reinforcing the rationale for a dedicated programme like Techscaler.

Challenges

Despite these successes, several challenges have constrained the programme’s effectiveness.

Stakeholders noted ambiguity around the programme’s role and purpose, with communications and branding often seen as fragmented or overly complex. The balance of support has leaned toward ideation and early‑stage companies, reflecting demand but leaving growth and scaling stage engagement weaker than some stakeholders had expected.

These issues have contributed to a perception among some stakeholders that the Techscaler Programme’s purpose is narrower than intended, and that duplication with other support providers adds to ecosystem confusion.

Some operational issues have also emerged over the first two years of the programme’s delivery. For example, a reactive approach (in some cases) to partner engagement, challenges around effective data sharing, and the use of high-level metrics that do not fully capture the impact of the programme.

Regional hubs, while valuable for networking, have faced difficulties in aligning with post-pandemic working patterns, raising questions about sustainability and relevance of the current model.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, the evaluation highlights clear opportunities to strengthen impact. Sharper positioning and clearer communication of the Techscaler Programme’s role within the ecosystem could help reduce confusion and align expectations.

Improved monitoring and reporting, with more granular impact data and celebration of success stories, will build confidence among stakeholders and partners.

A more proactive engagement strategy, supported by structured data sharing agreements, could unlock greater collaboration and reduce duplication.

Delivery models for regional hubs could be revisited, with consideration given to more flexible digital or pop-up approaches that reflect founder needs and market dynamics.

Finally, further targeted partnerships with sector-specific organisations could diversify reach and deepen impact.

Summary

In conclusion, the Techscaler Programme has established a strong foundation and is well aligned with Scotland’s policy priorities and investment performance. Its early successes in community building, mentorship, and capital raising demonstrate clear value. To fully realise its ambition of accelerating scale-ready businesses, the programme should focus on sharpening its identity, strengthening engagement with growth and scaling companies, and embedding more robust monitoring and partner collaboration. With these refinements, Techscaler has the potential to become a cornerstone of Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and deliver transformative long-term impact.