Meeting of the Parliament 04 June 2025
The point that I am making just now is that we have great research and development—I think that we would all accept that there is some brilliant research and development. The member has raised questions about funding models, about which there is extensive debate at the moment, but we are talking specifically about the fact that a lot of that research and development does not get commercialised. How do we take it from the point of academic research and turn it into a business? That is what Sweden does well. Yes, there is a time and a place for a broader conversation about funding models, but what we are talking about is the fact that, over the past few years, the commercialisation of that research has lagged behind.
The entrepreneurial spirit and enduring legacy of innovation extend far beyond our university campuses. Take John Walker, for example. From humble beginnings on Kilmarnock High Street in the 1800s, he built what would become the globally renowned Johnnie Walker whisky brand, which is now valued at more than $10 billion.
To create the next generation of Johnnie Walkers, we will invest in igniting entrepreneurial dynamism across all our people and communities. First, we relaunched the £700,000 ecosystem fund. Secondly, we will continue to back Scottish EDGE’s outstanding work to identify and support promising new businesses.
Thirdly, entrepreneurship is often seen as the domain of rare individuals with exceptional intelligence and drive, but that is simply not true. Research shows that quality entrepreneurial education and strong networks consistently build the mindset, skill and attitudes needed to succeed. That is why I am pleased to announce that, this year, we will relaunch the competitive entrepreneurial education fund, which will have a focus on embedding project-based entrepreneurial learning in schools across Scotland.
Finally, we are providing £141,000 to support a two-year pilot with the University of Aberdeen to train new computing science teachers, who will be able to equip young people with the skills that are vital for success in high-growth start-ups.
As the effect of our interventions in infrastructure, education and investment starts to yield momentum, our ambition is to establish Scotland as a global hub for start-up founders and investors, with a reputation akin to that presently enjoyed by Sweden and Finland. Techscaler and key policy documents such as the Logan review—or “Pathways”—and the innovation strategy have raised our profile. Indeed, Techscaler has been invited to showcase Scottish start-ups in Singapore, silicon valley, Helsinki, London, China and Japan.
At the start of this afternoon’s debate, in which political points will inevitably be made—and I do recognise a role for constructive challenge—we should take the opportunity to congratulate those who are involved in the Scottish start-up scene on what they have achieved. The businesses that are driving that scene are raising Scotland’s profile and are doing us proud on a global scale.
This September, Scotland has been selected to host the prestigious DICE conference, which will welcome senior executives from more than 100 of the world’s top gaming companies. The world is beginning to perceive Scotland differently. It is an impression that we are keen to reinforce, and I hope to work on a cross-party basis to continue to build on that work.
I move,
That the Parliament supports the Scottish Government’s ambition to establish Scotland as one of Europe’s fastest-growing start-up economies; welcomes the significant progress made towards this goal; congratulates Ana Stewart on her appointment as Scotland’s new Chief Entrepreneur, and welcomes the record investment of over £30 million to accelerate Scotland’s emergence as a leading hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and high-growth businesses.
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