Glasgow-based corporate gifting startup Go Swag has raised 5 million dollars in new funding to accelerate international expansion, grow its team and invest further in its AI-powered platform. The round was led by Mercia Ventures, with participation from Techstart Ventures and strategic angel investors, taking total funding raised to 6.2 million dollars.

Founded in Glasgow and focused on premium branded merchandise and global fulfilment, Go Swag runs a platform that helps companies design and deliver on-brand gifts to customers and staff around the world. Its technology combines AI‑assisted product curation with warehousing, logistics and recipient management so corporate gifting programmes can be managed end‑to‑end from a single system. The company already serves more than 1,000 organisations, including brands such as Meta, Apple, Netflix, ElevenLabs and n8n.

According to Tech.eu, which carries the funding announcement, the new capital will be used primarily to support US expansion. Go Swag plans to step up its presence in the United States, open a warehouse in Southeast Asia to strengthen global distribution, and continue investing in automation across quoting, account management, fulfilment and recommendation systems. The company also intends to scale its team significantly, growing headcount from around 30 to about 70 people, with new roles spread across engineering, operations and go‑to‑market functions.

For investors, the thesis behind the round is that corporate gifting is a large but under‑digitised market where better technology can improve both customer experience and operational efficiency. Go Swag positions its AI‑powered, full‑stack approach as an alternative to catalogue‑based gifting, arguing that every item a company sends with its logo on it has a cumulative impact on the brand. The fresh funding gives the Glasgow startup the capital to test that proposition at larger international scale while maintaining its headquarters and core operations in Scotland.

The signals in this round are clear: a named Scottish scaleup with institutional capital from Mercia Ventures and Techstart Ventures, a commitment to more than double the team, and a plan to anchor global growth around US and Asian infrastructure rather than relocating away from Glasgow. It is a snapshot of a Scottish company using external funding to build a global niche in a fragmented market from a Scottish base.

By High Growth Scotland editorial

Edinburgh-based GovTech venture ePass is aiming to become one of Scotland’s standout scaleups after reporting £1 million in revenue in its first year of trading and securing a flagship national deployment across the public sector. A Founded in 2024 by chief executive James Buchan and chief technology officer Chris Renga, the company emerged from a successful bid in one of the largest CivTech challenges to date, centred on delivering a new tobacco and vapes retailers register. A

The ePass platform focuses on licensing, registration and permitting, positioning itself as a reusable digital component that public bodies can adopt across multiple service lines. A Following its CivTech win, the startup’s tobacco and vapes register was built and deployed in just six months, underlining the team’s ability to move at pace within a complex regulatory environment. A Buchan and Renga have since set their sights on turning that first use case into a broader GovTech footprint, with ePass already rolling out across Scotland’s public sector. A C

ePass was among the first private organisations to be onboarded to the Scottish Government’s cloud platform, a key part of the national digital infrastructure strategy. A Later this year, it is expected to become the first live service on the Scottish Government’s ‘App for Scotland’, giving citizens and businesses mobile access to the platform’s licensing and registration services. A For Scotland’s digital ecosystem, that early-mover position places ePass at the centre of how core public services are being modernised and accessed. C

The platform is now live across the Scottish Government as a core digital component, currently serving all 32 local authorities and more than 15,000 businesses. A The company expects that figure to rise to around 80,000 businesses by next year as additional sectors and use cases come on stream. A Taken together, those numbers suggest that ePass is already operating at meaningful national scale, with a clear runway for expansion into further regulatory domains. C

Buchan argues that ePass is tackling a long-standing structural issue in Scottish public services. A “Scotland has had a licensing problem for decades. Licensing and registration are essential public services, but too often the underlying processes have been fragmented, paper-heavy and difficult to manage consistently,” he said. Q “ePass was created to reduce that friction, and we are now a core component of Scotland’s national digital infrastructure. We are now helping public bodies move towards a more reusable, consistent and scalable model for licensing, permitting and registration.” Q For high-growth observers, that focus on reuse and consistency aligns closely with broader efforts to make Scotland’s public-service stack more modular and data-driven. C

The timing of ePass’s progress overlaps with the Scottish Government’s newly announced ‘Scotland’s AI Strategy 2026–2031’. A Commenting on the strategy, Buchan said: “Responsible AI in public services will depend on the quality of the underlying data, workflows and governance. That is where platforms such as ePass can play an important enabling role: creating structured, auditable service data from processes that have historically been fragmented or paper-based.” Q From a GovTech perspective, this positions ePass not just as a front-end service but as an enabling layer for future AI applications in compliance, enforcement and policy insight. C

While the company’s current footprint is concentrated in Scotland, ePass is already looking beyond its home market. A The UK public sector is valued at around £50 billion, and Buchan sees considerable room to adapt the platform for other jurisdictions and regulatory regimes. A “What is really exciting for ePass is the scope for expansion, not only into other areas of the public sector, but beyond Scotland into UK-wide and international markets,” he added. Q For investors tracking scalable public-sector platforms, that blend of domestic traction and clear export narrative will be a key part of the growth story. C

To support its ambitions, ePass has strengthened its senior team in 2026 with a series of strategic hires. A Bjorn Gisbertz has joined as director of public sector strategy, bringing experience from elected office, public administration and public-sector digital transformation across Northern Europe. A The company has also appointed Aaron Drummond as growth lead, with responsibility for shaping ePass’s expansion in the UK and overseas markets. A These appointments indicate that the company is building the commercial and policy depth needed to work with governments beyond Scotland. C

ePass is also investing in its broader organisation, with a number of engineering, delivery and operational hires currently underway. A With £1 million in revenue in its first twelve months and a live national deployment already in place, the company is actively engaging with venture capital and investor communities and is likely to embark on its first external fundraising round later this year. A For Scotland’s GovTech scene, that prospective raise will be an important signal of how far investor appetite has moved towards platforms that sit at the heart of national digital infrastructure rather than only at the edge of citizen services. C

If ePass can convert its early CivTech-backed traction into a repeatable model for licensing and permitting across multiple jurisdictions, the company will have a credible shot at becoming one of Scotland’s most significant GovTech scaleups over the next cycle. C As public bodies adapt to AI-era requirements for structured, auditable data and more resilient workflows, platforms built on live production use cases like the tobacco and vapes register are likely to attract increasing attention from both policymakers and growth capital. C

Edelweiss has launched a new twice-weekly service between Zurich and Glasgow, strengthening Scotland’s connectivity into a major European hub and opening up fresh opportunities for tourism, trade and high-value visitors this summer.

Glasgow Airport has welcomed the inaugural Edelweiss flight from Zurich, marking the official launch of a brand-new direct service between Scotland and Switzerland. The first flight touched down on Friday 29 May 2026, establishing a twice-weekly connection that will operate every Monday and Friday until 14 September 2026.

The new route gives passengers a convenient, direct link to Switzerland’s largest city and a key European hub. Zurich is not only a vibrant destination in its own right, with lakeside beauty, historic streets and easy access to the Swiss Alps, but also an important gateway into the wider Swiss network and beyond.

For Glasgow, the service adds another European connection to an airport that already hosts 20 airlines and serves around 100 destinations worldwide, including North America, Europe and the Gulf. This latest addition reinforces Glasgow Airport’s role as one of Scotland’s principal international gateways and supports its wider growth ambitions.

Chris Tibbett, Executive Director, Commercial Aviation and Marketing at Glasgow Airport, said:

“We’re proud to celebrate the arrival of Edelweiss’ first flight from Zurich, marking the successful launch of this exciting new route. It’s fantastic to see this service take off, providing our passengers with a direct link to one of Europe’s most popular destinations.

“Zurich is not only a vibrant city in its own right but also an important gateway to the wider Swiss network and beyond. This new connection further strengthens our partnership with the Lufthansa Group while enhancing choice and connectivity for travellers across Scotland.

“We look forward to seeing the route perform strongly throughout the summer and to welcoming many visitors from Switzerland to Glasgow.”

The link is expected to deliver benefits on both sides of the route. Zurich gives Scottish passengers fast access to one of Europe’s leading financial and corporate centres, while the direct connection will help attract more inbound visitors from Switzerland to Glasgow and the wider west of Scotland.

Glasgow Airport is a key component of Scotland’s transport infrastructure, supporting over 30,000 jobs and generating £1.44 billion in GVA annually for the Scottish economy. Incremental routes such as Zurich may be seasonal, but collectively they help underpin the airport’s long-term growth story and its contribution to Scotland’s international competitiveness — a theme also reflected in High Growth Scotland’s recent coverage of the reopening of Glasgow’s direct Toronto service, which positioned renewed international air links as growth corridors for Scottish business: Glasgow’s direct Toronto link reopens a transatlantic growth corridor for Scottish business.

Passengers can now book flights throughout the summer season via flyedelweiss.com.

Scottish business confidence rose two points to 50% in May, moving ahead of the UK-wide reading for the second time since the end of 2025, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer. Companies reported stronger optimism about their own trading prospects, even as confidence in the wider economy dipped.

Scottish firms’ confidence in their own trading outlook climbed nine points to 62% in May. Factoring in a five‑point fall in optimism about the economy to 38% gives a net headline confidence figure of 50%, up from 48% in April 2026. Lloyds’ survey shows that sentiment in Scotland has now exceeded the overall UK confidence level of 47% in two separate months since late 2025.

Respondents in Scotland linked their stronger trading outlook to firmer customer demand and expectations of new contracts or clients, with 70% citing these as the main drivers. Confidence in the wider economy was also underpinned by stronger customer or market demand, highlighted by 60% of businesses. The pattern suggests Scottish operators see more resilience in their own order books than in macroeconomic conditions.

Staffing plans point to continued, if slightly softer, hiring intentions. Almost a third (31%) of Scottish businesses expect to increase headcount over the next year, down four percentage points on last month’s reading. Since May 2025, Scotland’s average overall business confidence has stood at 48%, peaking at 59% last August and bottoming out at 36% in December.

Over the next six months, firms identified three priority areas for growth investment. Investing in people – for example through training – topped the list at 47%, followed by adopting new technology such as artificial intelligence or automation at 42%, and evolving their offer through new products or services at 39%. For an investor‑grade audience, this mix points to a pipeline of skills, productivity and innovation spending across Scottish sectors.

Martyn Kendrick, Scotland director at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said Scottish firms are building on this momentum. “Scottish businesses are showing momentum, with confidence in their own trading prospects rising and firms looking ahead with optimism.” He added: “Businesses are backing that confidence with action, with many planning to invest in training and new technology, demonstrating a clear commitment to long-term growth, innovation and building future capability.” “We’re here to support that momentum, whether it’s financing growth, helping with technology investment, or working with firms to develop their teams and capabilities.”

Across the UK, overall business confidence rose three points in May to 47%. Firms’ trading outlook increased four points to 58%, while optimism about the broader economy rose two points to 35%. Sixty‑six percent of companies expect stronger output over the coming year, compared with 8% who anticipate weaker activity.

The survey points to familiar pressures among businesses that do expect activity to fall. Economic uncertainty, higher cost pressures and weaker customer demand remained the main reasons cited for expecting a downturn, unchanged from April. For Scottish operators, those headwinds frame the backdrop to decisions on hiring, investment and pricing over the rest of 2026.

Regionally, business confidence rose in seven of the twelve UK regions and nations in May and fell in four. Northern Ireland recorded notable gains, while the North East of England and West Midlands emerged as the most confident regions. Against that landscape, Scotland’s latest reading keeps it among the more upbeat parts of the UK on headline sentiment.

Amanda Murphy, CEO for Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, said the May data suggests firms are beginning to stabilise after April’s setback. “Business confidence edged up modestly in May, suggesting firms are beginning to steady after April’s decline. This month, confidence levels from businesses in the North East particularly stands out. It’s also reassuring to see that increased confidence from the construction sector has brought them more in line with their retail, services and manufacturing counterparts.” She added that each region and nation presents distinct growth opportunities.

“Across the UK, each region and nation presents unique opportunities and drivers of growth – whether that’s clean energy in the North East, advanced manufacturing in the West Midlands or tourism and hospitality in Scotland. We’ve seen first-hand what the right financial support and advice can do for ambitious businesses and are keen to continue supporting our customers as they grow – helping Britain prosper.” For Scottish firms, the combination of firmer confidence, a tilt toward training and technology investment, and targeted support from lenders will be key markers to watch as they navigate the rest of the year.

The rise of independent publishing has opened new opportunities for writers around the world. Authors no longer need to rely entirely on traditional publishing houses to bring their books to readers. Today, self-publishing allows writers to maintain creative control, publish on their own schedule, and build direct relationships with audiences.

However, publishing a successful book involves much more than simply writing a manuscript. Many authors seek reliable Self publishing support to help navigate editing, design, marketing, distribution, and long-term career development.

The Growing Popularity of Self-Publishing

More Creative Freedom

One of the biggest advantages of self-publishing is the ability for authors to control every aspect of their work. Writers can choose their own:

• Book cover design
• Pricing strategy
• Release schedule
• Marketing approach
• Publishing platforms

This level of flexibility allows authors to shape their books according to their personal vision and goals.

Faster Publishing Timelines

Traditional publishing often involves long submission processes and delayed release schedules. Self-publishing enables authors to move more quickly from manuscript completion to publication.

This can be especially useful for writers producing topical content, educational resources, or ongoing book series.

Access to Global Readers

Digital publishing platforms make it possible for independent authors to distribute books worldwide through online retailers and eBook marketplaces.

Why Support Services Are Important for Authors

Professional Editing Improves Quality

Even experienced writers benefit from professional editing. Editors help improve clarity, grammar, pacing, structure, and readability before publication.

A well-edited book often creates a stronger impression with readers and reviewers.

Cover Design Influences Sales

Book covers play a major role in attracting potential readers. Professional design can help books stand out in crowded digital marketplaces.

Formatting Ensures a Better Reading Experience

Proper formatting ensures books display correctly across print editions, tablets, eReaders, and mobile devices.

Marketing Can Be Challenging

Publishing a book is only part of the process. Many authors need guidance with:

• Social media promotion
• Email marketing
• Book launches
• Reader engagement
• Online advertising

Support services can help authors develop effective long-term marketing strategies.

Common Areas Where Authors Need Guidance

Choosing Publishing Platforms

Different platforms offer different royalty structures, distribution options, and promotional tools. Understanding these differences helps authors make informed decisions.

Building an Author Brand

Successful independent authors often create consistent branding through websites, newsletters, and social media channels.

Understanding Book Distribution

Authors may need support understanding print-on-demand services, audiobook production, and international distribution opportunities.

Managing Publishing Costs

Budgeting for editing, cover design, and marketing is an important part of the publishing process.

Benefits of Joining Author Communities

Shared Knowledge and Advice

Writing communities often provide valuable information about publishing trends, tools, and best practices.

Motivation and Accountability

Publishing a book independently can feel overwhelming at times. Support networks help writers stay motivated throughout the process.

Networking Opportunities

Connecting with other authors can lead to collaborations, promotional opportunities, and industry insights.

Tips for First-Time Self-Published Authors

Prioritise Editing

Strong editing improves professionalism and reader satisfaction.

Invest in a High-Quality Cover

Readers frequently judge books based on presentation before reading descriptions or previews.

Learn Basic Marketing Skills

Understanding online promotion can help authors increase visibility and book sales.

Stay Consistent

Building a publishing career often takes time, consistency, and long-term audience development.

FAQ

What is self-publishing support?

Self-publishing support includes guidance and services that help authors publish, market, and distribute their books independently.

Do self-published authors need professional editing?

Yes, editing helps improve book quality and provides a better experience for readers.

Can self-published authors reach global audiences?

Digital platforms allow independent authors to distribute books internationally through online retailers.

Is self-publishing suitable for first-time writers?

Yes, many first-time authors successfully publish independently with the help of professional support services and author communities.

Why is book cover design important?

A strong cover helps attract readers and improves visibility in competitive marketplaces.

Conclusion

Self-publishing has created exciting new opportunities for writers to share their work independently while maintaining creative control. However, producing and promoting a successful book often requires support beyond the writing process itself.

From editing and design to marketing and distribution, reliable self-publishing support can help authors navigate the challenges of independent publishing while building stronger, more professional careers in today’s competitive book market.

Renfrewshire Council has secured £850,000 from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund to deliver the next phase of improvements at the Houston Court precinct in Johnstone town centre — the latest investment in a long-term strategy to revitalise one of Renfrewshire’s key urban hubs.

The Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has supported community-led regeneration projects across Scotland for over a decade, channelling public investment into town centres that are being reimagined for modern economic and social use. Johnstone’s award is part of a broader national effort to breathe new life into Scotland’s town centres, which have faced structural challenges from shifting retail patterns and changing community needs.

The funding forms part of the Johnstone Town Centre Vision, an ambitious plan developed alongside local residents to transform Houstoun Square, Houston Court precinct, and Ludovic Square into a connected social and cultural heart for the town. Work is already underway, with vacant buildings at 38 and 56 Houston Court being refurbished, and a vacant supermarket on the site due for demolition this summer.

The new Scottish Government grant will fund the construction of two new commercial buildings on part of the former supermarket site, alongside reconfigured parking and public spaces, and landscaping designed to create a green link between Houstoun Square and Ludovic Square.

Councillor Andy Steel, Convener of the Economy and Regeneration Board, said: “I am pleased we’ve secured £850,000 Scottish Government funding to make improvements to the Houston Court precinct, in line with plans developed in consultation with the local community last summer.

“These improvements are part of the Johnstone Town Centre Vision, the long-term plan we’ve developed with local residents to transform and grow Johnstone’s town centre. We’re working to revitalise the Houston Court precinct, alongside Johnstone’s historic Houstoun Square and Ludovic Square, to create more welcoming, inclusive and flexible spaces for all to enjoy, to support local businesses, and to celebrate the town’s heritage.”

Six months ago, Scotland’s business community celebrated a landmark set of figures. The UK Fast Growth Index 2025 revealed that the country’s 50 fastest-growing private companies had more than doubled their combined turnover in two years, adding almost £800 million in new sales. Half a year on, the companies that drove those numbers are showing no signs of slowing down.

The index, compiled by Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, recorded combined turnover growth from £661 million in 2022 to £1.46 billion in 2024 across Scotland’s top 50 privately owned businesses — an average growth rate of 121%, with the typical firm more than doubling in size. It was a striking set of numbers. What has happened since is arguably more compelling.

Edinburgh Luxury Brand Posts 35% Revenue Jump

Among the most watched companies in the cohort is Edinburgh accessories brand Strathberry, whose handcrafted leather goods have found a global audience stretching from South Korea to the United States. In January 2026, the BGF-backed company reported revenue of £36.4 million for the financial year to 30 April 2025 — a 35% year-on-year increase — and disclosed a 58% surge in sales during the November–December 2025 peak trading window.

The brand has restated its medium-term target of reaching £100 million in revenue within three years, a goal first set when new managing director Martin Byrne was appointed in August 2024. North America, the Middle East and Japan have been the dominant drivers of international growth, with Strathberry’s wholesale business in Japan reported to have grown tenfold.

The trajectory is emblematic of a new generation of Scottish consumer brands that are scaling with genuine global intent rather than settling for domestic success.

Acquisition Signals Maturity of Scotland’s Growth Market

Perhaps the most telling development since the index was published came just weeks after its release. Loveelectric — ranked Scotland’s single fastest-growing business in the 2025 index and named Scottish Fintech of the Year — entered into an agreement to be acquired by employee benefits platform Perkbox in December 2025.

The Edinburgh-based company, which enables employers to offer electric vehicles to staff through salary sacrifice schemes, had built its growth on the intersection of two powerful forces: the UK’s transition to net zero and the rapid expansion of the employee benefits market. Its acquisition by Perkbox, which according to the company’s announcement provides access to more than four million UK employees, is a validation of both the business model and the market.

For Scotland’s growth ecosystem, the deal carries a broader message: high-growth Scottish businesses are now attracting serious acquisition interest. The index didn’t just identify fast-growing companies — it marked out targets for larger platforms looking to accelerate their own ambitions.

King’s Award Crowns a Continued Rise

The most recent chapter in Scotland’s fast-growth story belongs to Bathgate-based telecoms firm Clarus Networks, which in May 2026 was awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category.

Clarus was ranked 32nd in Deloitte’s 2025 UK Technology Fast 50 — the highest-placed Scottish company on that list — with three-year revenue growth of 941%. In March 2026, the company was also recognised by the Financial Times in the FT1000 ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, placing 92nd. The two rankings together place Clarus among the most rapidly scaling private technology businesses in the UK, on a European stage that underscores how far the firm has travelled from its Bathgate base.

The Bigger Picture

These three companies are not outliers. Scottish Government data published in December 2025 showed that the number of high-growth businesses in Scotland measured by turnover almost doubled in a single year, rising from 2,685 as at March 2024 to 5,490 as at March 2025. The Government’s own commentary notes that the unusually high 2025 figure is “largely due to the starting point for the growth calculation being turnover from 2020”, when many businesses’ revenue was suppressed by COVID-19 trading restrictions. The picture is more mixed on the employment-growth measure, where the count actually edged down from 870 to 840 over the same period.

Even with that caveat, the trajectory has not gone unnoticed. The Sunday Times launched its Scotland Fast 50 initiative in spring 2026, inviting nominations for the country’s most dynamic scaling businesses — a move that reflects growing national and media recognition that Scotland’s growth economy deserves dedicated attention in its own right.

Six months on from the index that put these numbers on the map, the evidence suggests that December’s headlines were not a high-water mark. For Scotland’s fastest-growing businesses, they may have been closer to a starting gun.

CBI Scotland has urged the incoming Scottish Government to place economic growth at the heart of its programme for government, warning that Scotland is in a “race against time” to address a challenging fiscal shortfall.

The call came ahead of CBI Scotland’s annual business lunch in Edinburgh on 22 May 2026, where keynote speakers included First Minister John Swinney MSP, entrepreneur and founder of The Hunter Foundation Sir Tom Hunter, and SSE Chief Executive and CBI Scotland Chair Martin Pibworth. The event was sponsored by CMS.

The organisation has set out a five-point plan for the new parliament, covering business rates reform, planning reform, skills and apprenticeship levy reform, closing the tax and regulatory gap with the rest of the UK, and committing to transformative infrastructure projects such as full rail electrification and the Clyde Metro.

Michelle Ferguson OBE, CBI Scotland Director, said: “Our message to the new Scottish Government, and to new and returning MSPs, is a simple one: against a backdrop of rising costs and global volatility, growth really is the ‘only game in town’ – so it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get on with it.”

Ferguson said urgency was paramount, adding: “That means using every lever available to boost productivity and unlock vital investment. Business stands ready to play its part, but urgency is key. We can’t afford to sit on our hands, or we risk a worsening fiscal position and the potential for great commercial opportunities to slip through our fingers.”

Despite the challenges, Ferguson struck an optimistic note: “Yet, for all of the challenges that Scotland faces, the country stands on edge of huge opportunity – there aren’t many small economies that can boast our talent, innovation and knowhow. By backing our people and businesses, we can turn that economic promise into the kind of tangible, on the ground, delivery that can transform lives and communities across the country.”

She also pointed to the importance of emerging industries, saying: “Realising that potential doesn’t just mean doubling down on legacy strengths. It means being clear eyed about the opportunities of the future and staking our claim in the innovative, high value industries that are powering global growth – areas like AI, life sciences and the energy transition.”

CBI Scotland represents 850 members, comprising 1,200 separate registered companies and 150,000 trade association members across the UK.

The Net Zero Technology Centre’s eighth TechX cohort pitches on 11 June. For investors watching Scotland’s cleantech pipeline, Demo Day is where deal flow gets visible.

Eight cleantech startups will pitch to investors and energy-industry buyers in Aberdeen on 11 June, marking the close of the Net Zero Technology Centre’s (NZTC) eighth TechX Accelerator cohort. The companies share £400,000 in grant funding from the 14-week programme, alongside mentoring and direct exposure to NZTC’s network of operators, corporate partners and venture investors. Demo Day runs from 13:00 to 17:00 at NZTC’s Queens Road offices.

For the cohort, the event is a commercial milestone. Each pitch is effectively a public test of investor readiness: whether a technology that is still pre-revenue in most cases can be articulated as a viable commercial proposition. For some companies the immediate prize is a first industrial pilot with a named operator. For others it is a lead investor willing to back a seed or Series A round. Previous Demo Days have delivered both outcomes within the same cohort.

The 2026 cohort was selected in March from a large field of applicants. NZTC’s strategic partners include ConocoPhillips, Equinor, bp and ADNOC, and the programme is backed by both the UK and Scottish Governments. The combination of public grant funding and direct industrial access is what distinguishes TechX from a generalist accelerator: the model is built around de-risking technologies before they reach scale, on the basis that industrial validation makes the subsequent fundraise materially easier to close.

The cohort and what each is trying to prove

The eight companies span four technology areas — floating offshore wind, industrial heat decarbonisation, hydrogen, and remote power.

In floating wind, Xmoor is applying machine learning to project design and simulation, aimed at compressing the cost and timeline of getting projects into the water. ISONIK is on the operational side, with ultrasonic ice-prevention systems for turbines exposed to harsh North Sea conditions.

In industrial heat, three companies are working on adjacent problems. Orchid Solar produces solar thermal concentrators delivering heat above 500°C, aimed at industrial processes that grid electrification cannot reach. StrainWorks uses rotary forging to produce low-embodied-carbon steel bearings for energy and industrial applications, attacking the carbon footprint of the components themselves. HexSeed Technology converts captured CO₂ into lab-grown industrial diamonds used in thermal management for advanced electronics, turning a carbon liability into a high-value material.

Three further companies cover hydrogen and remote power. MetaSenz has built light-based nanosensor platforms for real-time hydrogen monitoring, a safety-layer technology that scales with hydrogen deployment. Micro Thermal Energy is targeting off-grid and hard-to-abate sites with modular geothermal systems delivering baseload heat and power. Hypanode brings fuel cell technology that the company describes as combining the power density of a jet engine with the efficiency of a battery.

The technical spread is deliberate. NZTC’s selection criteria favour technically credible answers to problems the energy transition cannot route around — not the most commercially polished company in the room. That has implications for the deal-flow picture: TechX cohorts tend to bring forward earlier-stage, deeper-tech opportunities than a typical Scottish accelerator graduating class.

Track record: where TechX cohorts have ended up

Now in its eighth year, TechX is among Scotland’s longer-running cleantech accelerators. The track record matters more than the headline grant figure. The 2023 cohort collectively raised £740,000 in equity during the programme itself. The 2025 cohort produced a £50,000 Climate Impact Prize awarded by NZTC sponsor ConocoPhillips to Remedium, which is developing ultra-low-cost carbon capture for heavy industry and continues to scale.

Strategic partners including Equinor, bp and ADNOC engage directly with cohort companies through the programme, providing the industrial-access component that distinguishes TechX from a generalist accelerator. For Scotland’s cleantech investment ecosystem, TechX has become a recurring source of pre-Series A opportunities surfacing alongside the operators whose validation will matter most to a follow-on round.

What Demo Day means for Scotland’s cleantech pipeline

The wider read on TechX’s eighth year is what it says about the shape of Scotland’s cleantech opportunity. Aberdeen is not a startup city in the same sense as Edinburgh or Glasgow. The NZTC model is one response to that gap: rather than waiting for an organic ecosystem to mature, the centre acts as a deliberate infrastructure investment, pulling early-stage cleantech companies into Aberdeen’s industrial network and producing the validation that makes them fundable.

For investors and corporate buyers watching Scotland’s cleantech pipeline, Demo Day is one of the most concentrated reads on early-stage deal flow available in a single afternoon. Eight companies, all at technology readiness levels 3 to 6, all with industrial validation work behind them, all looking for the next round of capital or their first commercial customer. Whether the cohort delivers another £740,000 equity raise on the day is a fair test of whether the model continues to scale with the sector around it.

TechX Demo Day 2026 takes place on 11 June at the Net Zero Technology Centre, 20 Queens Road, Aberdeen, from 13:00–17:00.

Scottish commercial flight training provider ACS Aviation has committed to a €3.4 million fleet expansion, signing an agreement with Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam for up to 10 new P-Mentor training aircraft — the largest single investment in the academy’s history.

The deal, formalised at AERO Friedrichshafen 2026, comprises four firm aircraft valued at €1.3 million, with options for a further six worth €2.1 million. The expansion is set to grow ACS Aviation’s fleet to 23 aircraft by 2027.

Craig McDonald, Group Technical Director at ACS Aviation, said the order “represents the largest aircraft order in its history and will increase capacity, improve efficiency and ensure training reflects modern airline expectations.”

The Tecnam P-Mentor is a two-seat, IFR-capable trainer equipped with Garmin G3X avionics and a Rotax 912iSc engine. Its design allows students to progress from ab-initio through to instrument training on a single platform, while delivering reduced fuel burn and emissions — a key consideration as flight schools look to modernise their fleets.

The investment comes on the back of significant operational growth. ACS Aviation delivered nearly 15,000 training hours in 2025 and has trained more than 450 pilots since its founding in 2007, reflecting sustained demand for airline-pathway training in Scotland.

The deal was facilitated by Oriens Aviation, whose representative James Cracroft said the order “demonstrates strong confidence in the aircraft’s performance, safety and economics, reflecting increasing demand for next-generation training platforms.”

Pasquale De Rosa, Sales Manager Europe at Tecnam, added that the agreement “highlights the role of the P-Mentor in modernising flight training, with a focus on efficiency, safety and advanced avionics aligned with airline environments.”

The purchase forms part of ACS Aviation’s broader growth strategy, scaling training capacity while maintaining a modern, efficient fleet positioned to meet the pipeline demand of commercial aviation.