Techscaler Programme 2022-2024: early evaluation - survey write-ups
Detailed survey write-ups for the early evaluation of the Techscaler Programme (2022 to 2024), reporting findings from mentors, engaged members, and non-engaged members to inform the Scottish Government evaluation.
4 Non-engaged member surveys
4.1 Introduction
The non-engaged Techscaler member online survey was undertaken in two stages.
First, an online survey aimed at company members (that is, founders or main points of contact for Techscaler member companies) who have not engaged with Techscaler activities and support was issued by CodeBase on 21 March 2025 to 335 key company contacts[3]. This short online survey asked mainly closed-ended questions related to:
- reasons for joining Techscaler.
- views on the application process.
- the support companies were interested in accessing from Techscaler.
- the reasons why have noy yest accessed Techscaler actives and support.
- barriers faced in accessing Techscaler activities and support.
- likelihood of accessing Techscaler support in the future.
- suggestions for how Techscaler support could be improved.
An email reminder was issued by CodeBase on 7 April 2025, and the survey closed on 18 April 2025. A total of nine responses were received[4].
Second, and as described in Chapter 3, another online survey with routing was issued by CodeBase on 19 May 2025 to 871 contacts, comprising:
- 438 engaged company members who did not take part in the telephone survey — feedback from survey respondents is captured in Chapter 3.
- 433 individual members[5], most but not all have likely not engaged in Techscaler support yet — feedback from these survey respondents is captured and reflected in this chapter.
This online survey asked a similar set of questions and closed on 6 June 2005. One response was received from an individual who reported that they had not yet engaged in Techscaler support.
The responses from the non-engaged company contact and individual member surveys have been combined and written up in aggregate form below. The total number of responses received to the non-engaged member surveys is 10. The absolute number of responses is small, and it represents a very limited response rate (1.3%). The findings from these surveys cannot be treated as representative of the total population of the Techscaler non-engaged membership. Rather, it provides a snapshot of views and experiences from this cohort of the membership.
4.2 Non-engaged member survey respondents
All of the non-engaged Techscaler members who responded to the surveys are Founders of Co-founders, see Table 4.1.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Founder or Co-founder | 10 | 100% |
| C-Level Management (for example, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Marketing Officers) | - | - |
| Department Head | - | - |
| Team Leader | - | - |
| Team Member | - | - |
| Other | - | - |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
Forty percent of the non-engaged Techscaler members who responded to the surveys are at an early stage, while 60% have a registered company and are at the growth or scaleup stage, see Table 4.2.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Ideation stage — an individual with an idea but no clear focus or commitment to building a company | - | - |
| Early stage — an individual focused on a specific market or problem space. May/may not have a registered business, prototype, or Minimum Viable Product (MVP) but are dedicating time to advancing their idea | 4 | 40% |
| Growth — a company with a live product looking to acquire customers. They may/may not have existing customers at this stage | 4 | 40% |
| Scaleup/scaling — a company with a live product, revenue, and a team which includes department heads/specialists (e.g. product team, engineering team, growth team) | 2 | 20% |
| Other | - | - |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
4.2.1 Awareness of Techscaler and your engagement
Word of mouth (30%) is the main way non-engaged survey respondents first became aware of Techscaler, see Table 4.3. The remainder of respondents either said they had an existing relationship with CodeBase, were signposted by another agency, sought out information about Techscaler online, or approached Techscaler directly for support.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Word of mouth from family or friend | 3 | 30% |
| Had an existing relationship with CodeBase | 2 | 20% |
| Signposted by another agency or organisation (for example, Enterprise Agency, Business Gateway, local authority) | 2 | 20% |
| Saw information on the Techscaler website or social media | 2 | 20% |
| Directly from CodeBase | - | - |
| Online search/approached Techscaler directly to find out more | 1 | 10% |
| Saw information on the Scottish Government website or social media | - | - |
| Saw an advertisement | - | - |
| From attendance at an event or conference | - | - |
| Don’t know/can’t remember | - | - |
| Other | - | - |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
The majority (70%) of non-engaged Techscaler members who responded to the survey joined Techscaler in 2024, with the remainder joining in the previous year, see Table 4.4.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 30% |
| 2024 | 7 | 70% |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
4.3 Barriers and motivations for joining Techscaler
The main barriers non-engaged Techscaler members faced to startup, grow or scaleup at that time of joining Techscaler are reported through the survey as: access to finance (90%); did not know which organisations to approach for support (80%); and not investor ready (70%), see Table 4.5.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Access to finance | 9 | 90% |
| Didn’t know which organisation(s) to approach for support | 8 | 80% |
| Not financial/investor ready | 7 | 70% |
| Limited understanding of the tech support ecosystem | 5 | 50% |
| Lacked wider ecosystem connections | 5 | 50% |
| Lacked connections with fellow founders and startup peers | 3 | 30% |
| Lacked access to affordable physical space/hubs to work or meet from (for example, flexible hotdesking, coworking, office, and meeting room space) | 3 | 30% |
| Other | 2 | 20% |
| Lacked the core skills to support the growth and scaleup of the business | 1 | 10% |
| Time taken to generate a return | 1 | 10% |
| Lacked the core practical skills to startup a business | - | - |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Percentages may total more than 100% as a result.
‘Other’ responses include time constraints, and access to customers opportunities to generate more sales both in Scotland, the UK and internationally.
The main motivating factors for joining Techscaler are reported by non-engaged members as:
- to attend events to meet fellow founders, expand our network, and hear from industry experts (80%).
- to access one-to-one mentoring support (70%).
- to connect with like-minded founders and peers (70%).
- to increase investor connectivity (70%).
- to help access finance (70%), Table 4.6.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| To attend events to meet fellow founders, expand our network, and hear from industry experts | 8 | 80% |
| To access expert mentorship advice, guidance, and support | 7 | 70% |
| To meet and connect with like-minded founders and peers (part of the ‘community’) | 7 | 70% |
| To help access finance (for example, grants, self-funding/bootstrapping, fundraising — in exchange for equity or convertible debt, bank loans, crowdfunding, Series A, B, and C funding rounds) | 7 | 70% |
| To increase our investor connectivity | 7 | 70% |
| To increase our understanding of, and ability to navigate the tech support ecosystem in Scotland | 6 | 60% |
| Wanted to access skills development support for myself/founder/co-founder | 6 | 60% |
| To enhance our financial readiness | 6 | 60% |
| To access resources and tools to help startup a business | 4 | 40% |
| To increase our understanding of, and ability to navigate the tech support ecosystem outside Scotland | 4 | 40% |
| To start/increase our internationalisation | 4 | 40% |
| Wanted to access skills development support for our wider team | 2 | 20% |
| To access an affordable place to work or meet from | 2 | 20% |
| To test the viability of my business idea | 1 | 10% |
| Other | 1 | 10% |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Percentages may total more than 100% as a result.
‘Other’ response includes to access support that was specifically aimed at tech companies.
4.4 Satisfaction with the application process
Overall, non-engaged Techscaler members who responded to the surveys are broadly satisfied with the application process and their initial engagement with CodeBase. This ranges from:
- 70% who express satisfaction (that is, either satisfied or very satisfied) with the online application process and with initial contact with the team.
- 80% who express satisfaction with the responsiveness of CodeBase, see Table 4.7.
| Answer choice | Online application process – No. | Online application process – % | Responsive-ness after applying – No. | Responsive-ness – % | Initial contact & communi-cation – No. | Initial contact – % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very dissatisfied | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dissatisfied | 1 | 10% | 1 | 10% | 2 | 20% |
| Neither dissatisfied nor satisfied | 2 | 20% | 1 | 10% | 1 | 10% |
| Satisfied | 2 | 20% | 3 | 30% | 2 | 20% |
| Very satisfied | 5 | 50% | 5 | 50% | 5 | 50% |
| Don’t know | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10 (each statement).
Qualitative feedback from survey respondents on what works well with the application process and initial engagement with Techscaler includes that:
- CodeBase are welcoming, supportive and genuinely interested in supporting founders — for example, they took time to get to know the company and to connect the founder with people and resources to help.
- the onboarding process was straightforward and happened in a timely fashion — and initial conversations with CodeBase were positive and including opportunities for members to ask questions.
In terms of what could be improved survey respondents suggested that:
- there could be improvements in Techscaler communications — for example, greater use of accessible language (such as, minimising the use of jargon and acronyms), and ensuring responsive and timely replies to emails received from members.
- CodeBase could undertake more activity to increase awareness of the Programme and the support it can offer — a related point raised is that communications and messaging could clearly set out how Technical differs from other accelerators and support that exists in Scotland and the UK.
- there could be more events — for example tech-related events and investor connections events are mentioned in the responses.
4.5 Techscaler support sought
Non-engaged Techscaler member survey respondent indicated that they were primarily interested in accessing:
- bespoke forms of support such as mentoring, funding readiness and international programmes.
- education courses and support aimed at growth and scaleup companies.
- networking events and opportunities, see Table 4.8.
| Education support | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Startup Basics | 1 | - |
| First Steps | 1 | - |
| Next Steps | 5 | 44% |
| Reforge | 1 | 11% |
| Bespoke support | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| International programmes (for example, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, Singapore) | 6 | 56% |
| Mentorship | 7 | 67% |
| Funding readiness | 7 | 67% |
| Regional hubs | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Tenant of a Techscaler hub | 2 | 22% |
| Use of a Techscaler hub to work and meet from (for example, flexible hotdesking or coworking space, access to meeting space) | 2 | 22% |
| Community events, meetups, and networking opportunities | 6 | 67% |
| Other support | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 1 | 22% |
| Don’t know/unsure | 1 | 11% |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Percentages may total more than 100% as a result.
‘Other’ response includes being curious to find out more about what Techscaler offered and how the programme could help the company.
Non-engaged Techscaler member survey respondents typically selected ‘Other reasons’ when asked why they did not access the support they were interested in accessing when they joined Techscaler, see Table 4.9.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Othe reasons | 7 | 70% |
| Limited understanding of what the Techscaler offer was and how it could help me/the company | 3 | 30% |
| Time constraints | 3 | 30% |
| The support was not relevant to my company and its needs | 2 | 20% |
| Other priorities | 2 | 10% |
| My application for Techscaler support (for example, an international programme) was unsuccessful | 1 | 10% |
| Changed my mind | - | - |
| Found alternative support elsewhere | - | - |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
Multiple response question where respondents could select more than one option and all that applied. Percentages may total more than 100% as a result.
Points raised can be summarised as:
- there are some members who said they found it difficult to engage with Techscaler in a meaningful way — for example, points raised include that: they are not clear on the offer and that it can be difficult to navigate; it is a large team and, at times, members are confused about who may be best to speak with; perceptions that CodeBase’s engagement can be reactive as opposed to proactive; early conversations/communications with members were not followed up on; geographic barriers to attending in-person events (that is, distance and time involved); felt that they were only invited to attend certain events (for example, events aimed only a women which felt they were segmented into a narrower funnel of support).
- a perception that Techscaler support is mainly for early-stage individuals/companies and that there is limited guidance and support to help companies to grow and scaleup — as well as perceptions that the support is one-size fits all as opposed to a tailored offer by company stage.
The survey respondent who had applied to go on an international programme and was unsuccessful indicated that they were dissatisfied with the feedback they received Techscaler on their application, see Table 4.10.
They noted that they received limited explanation about why their application had been unsuccessful, and that given the scale of Techscaler Programme funding their view is that they could be increased focus on international programmes and supporting more companies to take part.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Very dissatisfied | - | - |
| Dissatisfied | 1 | 100% |
| Neither dissatisfied nor satisfied | - | - |
| Satisfied | - | - |
| Very satisfied | - | - |
| Don’t know/unsure | - | - |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=1 (that is, the person selected that they applied to go on an international programme and this was unsuccessful as presented in Table 4.9.
4.6 Plans for future engagement with Techscaler
A positive finding is that the majority (70%) of non-engaged Techscaler member survey respondents indicate that they would/may access Techscaler Programme support in the future — the remainder (30%) say they are unsure, see Table 4.11.
| Answer choice | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Yes, definitely | 5 | 50% |
| Yes, maybe | 2 | 20% |
| No | 0 | 0% |
| Not sure | 3 | 30% |
Source: EKOS non-engaged online surveys. Base=10.
Table 4.12 provides details of the types of support survey respondents think they may require over the short-term (in the next year) and over the medium-term (in the next three years).
Table 4.12: What type of support do you think you will require over the medium-term (in the next three years)?
Over the short-term
- Mentorship
- Support to attract funding, finance and investment
- Networking and community building
- Marketing
Over the medium-term
- Funding readiness and/or support to attract funding, finance and investment
- Support with business growth/scaling and market expansion
- Mentorship
- Tech support
Survey respondents were asked whether they consider there to be any gaps in the Techscaler or wider ecosystem support offer to accelerate the growth of tech startups and scaleups. Points raised by Techscaler members who have not engaged with the programme included:
Techscaler specific points: it is suggested that there could be increased collaboration between Techscaler and other agencies; and the Techscaler slack channel type approach is said to be insufficient — and that there could be much better interaction with members. Other points raised include that some members may miss notifications from the Mighty Networks platform that Techscaler uses (for example, due to having so many channels to monitor).
Wider ecosystem points:
- a perceived gap is for support for growth and scaleup companies (companies with the greatest potential) — holistic support from strategies to scale a business, finding new customers, or growing them team.
- there could be more support around investor connectivity, investment readiness, deeper tech-focused events, international connections to the major tech companies, and IP/regulatory/compliance aspects of a company’s innovation.
- the tech eco-system tends to lump companies together as ‘tech’ — software, app, Deeptech, business to business, business to consumer, cyber security etc. — as such, it is suggested that a one size fits all approach may not be appropriate and there could be a better appreciation of the differences in the Tech eco-system. A wider example provided is that not all companies in the ecosystem are suited to, or want to, fundraise though venture capital or angels.
- support with funding applications and processes — for example, a member mentioned that they found application processes for venture capital schemes such as Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) challenging and that they had to pay for specialist input — help to make application processes easier for founders would therefore be welcomed as they can act as a barrier.
- practical skills development support — examples provided include technical, graphic design, video production.
Contact
Email: DLECONBOCEAESBITE@gov.scot