Techscaler Programme 2022-2024: early evaluation - main report

Footnotes

1 There is a distinction between the tech sector and the digital tech sector. The former includes a wider range of manufacturing (advance manufacturing, etc.) activities which in some instances is outside the Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review (STER) and Techscaler Programme. The digital tech sector is more focused on solving problems and meeting customer needs through the use of scalable computer technology solutions.

2 CAGR is measure of the mean annual growth rate of an investment over a specific period (in this case between 2020 and 2025).

3 A further three scoping interviews were undertaken with Techscaler member companies. Follow-up interviews were subsequently undertaken with these three companies to take the founder/co-founder through the remainder of the company telephone survey. The three company interviews are captured in the survey response numbers and analysis rather than the scoping interviews. In addition, a further interview with a Scottish Government representative was undertaken as part of the wider stakeholder interview process rather than at the scoping stage. We were not able to establish contact with the then Chief Entrepreneur, however, an interview with the current Chief Entrepreneur was undertaken as part of the wider stakeholder interview process.

4 One response to the online survey was received from a Techscaler member who has not yet accessed formal support from the programme — this response has been included within the non-engaged member survey analysis (see page below and the supplementary report for the non-engaged member survey write-up).

5 CodeBase internal categorisation of the 978 key company contact members who have joined the Techscaler Programme as members since its launch identified 330 members who have not accessed formal programme support or recorded at events.

6 Med tech, or medical technology, refers to a broad range of technologies used in healthcare settings. It includes medical devices, diagnostics, digital health solutions, and telemedicine platforms that enhance patient care and treatment. Med tech encompasses products and services that diagnose, treat, and improve a person's health and wellbeing.

7 Ed tech, or educational technology, is the process of integrating technology into education in a positive manner that promotes a more diverse learning environment and a way for students to learn how to use technology as well as their common assignments.

8 Deep tech, or deep technology, refers to startups and companies that develop innovative solutions based on significant scientific or engineering advancements. These organisations typically focus on addressing complex challenges and societal issues, leveraging high-tech innovations for long-term benefits.

9 In Year 3, Startup Basics has been pivoted by CodeBase into Techscaler Discovery.

10 In Year 3 Startup First Steps and Next Steps have been replaced by the Techscaler Catalyst programme which takes this education course to a different level than what First Steps provided.

11 The Startup First Steps and Startup Next Steps education programmes have since been condensed by CodeBase into Techscaler Catalyst.

12 Source: Techscaler Annual Report 2023 and 2024. Reforge is an always-on programme, and CodeBase note that completion data is not applicable for this provision. The raw data CodeBase receive from Reforge does not include module completion data.

13 Based on learning and experience of the pilot, CodeBase in Year 3 has launched the Venture Network which will allow growth and scaling companies to join for specific sessions that meet their requirements, rather than running this as a cohort programme.

14 An update from CodeBase provided as part of the evaluation (August 2025) indicates that there are currently 279 mentors working across all CodeBase activity, of which 199 are Techscaler mentors (125 are currently active mentors).

15 The data provided is as at September 2025.

16 Source: Techscaler Annual Report 2024. Note 1: This comprises 89% equity based investment and 11% grant funding. Note 2: This includes £1.5 million in grant funding (Lifetime) awarded directly through Techscaler MVP Grant in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise.

17 There is limited feedback from Techscaler members who have not yet engaged with the formal support offered by the programme. The survey findings are presented in the Supplementary report and are not covered in this chapter.

18 Product market displacement is the extent to which a new product or service introduced into the marketplace replaces or competes with existing products. In an economic development context, the new economic activity associated with a new product or services (company turnover, profit, employment) is to some extent replacing existing economic activity associated with existing products on the marketplace.

19 Labour market displacement is the extent to which new and/or growing companies complete with existing employers for the same labour. In an economic development context, newly created jobs may be filled by those who are already employed elsewhere in the economy.

20 If we consider the split by company/key company contact, which may be a more accurate representation of engagement then this is 68% / 32%, respectively.

21 It should be noted that as most hubs are managed and operated by external partners, CodeBase do not hold data on occupancy levels. For the two hubs managed/operated centrally, Edinburgh and Stirling, Techscaler members represent 43% and 57% of total occupancy, respectively.

22 The 978 company contacts are included in the 1,411 individual membership number. This does not include the wider digital community membership.

23 This is not to say that no benefits have been accrued to these businesses through membership, just that they have not formally accessed support. They could have, for example, attended partner events, etc which suggests a need for improved data collection on Techscaler membership.

24 The remaining 8% of Techscaler members representing non-regionally allocated memberships, including Reforge memberships that do not have a designated home region.

25 CodeBase has advised that they have recently changed diversity, equality and inclusion data collection processes, and this information will be available for attribution to successful/unsuccessful applicants going forward.

26 Covering the period July 2022 to March 2025.

27 Please note that this excludes staff costs for the period FY 2022-2023 November to March, which were reported under a different budget line for that reporting period (capital management fee).

28 The Scottish Government provided data which shows that the average total cost (that is, flights and accommodation) for six international programmes (note some of these were undertaken in 2025) was circa £45,500 per trip.

29 Please see Chapter 7 which notes the methodological limitations of Cost Benefit Analysis in the appraisal of similar interventions.

30 Note methodological and sample size limitations outlined in Chapter 7.

31 This includes onward referral and signposting to other support providers that might be more appropriate.

32 CodeBase categorised the 978 company members who have joined the Techscaler Programme since its launch by level of service engagement from 0 (no engagement) to 4 (highly/most engaged) based on their engagement with Techscaler Programme activities and support.

33 Techscaler Annual Report 2024 (Page 10).

34 This includes undeliverable/ email address not found/ automated left this organisation or no longer operational.

35 Project costs were supported up to 45% for smaller companies (with fewer than 50 employees) and 35% for medium-sized enterprises (with 50 to 250 employees).

36 ONS and BEIS.

37 UK GDP Deflator.

38 Business demography, UK: 2023. Table 4.1 - Survival Of Newly Born Enterprises Region By Births And Their Survival For 2018 To 2022. Accessed here.