Record tech startups + CivTech funding, Commsworld – Daily Business

A record number of Scottish technology companies were incorporated in 2025, highlighting underlying confidence in the sector despite headwinds, according to audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK.

Its analysis reveals 1,885 new Scottish tech incorporations last year, up 15% from 1,633 the previous year and in line with the UK average.

Head of technology for RSM in Scotland, Will Simpson said: “This continuing growth in new tech incorporations suggests that, despite political uncertainties, Scotland will continue to innovate and invest.

“It was promising to see Shona Robison announce additional support for Scottish colleges and universities in the Scottish Budget, as this is key to feeding the talent which drives the industry forward, but there remain worries over how committed the Scottish government are to supporting the businesses themselves.

“It’s now more important than ever that the Scottish government works to develop a positive and productive ecosystem, where innovative tech companies of all sizes are actively encouraged and supported. If this is done right, the tech sector in Scotland has the opportunity to be a huge driver of economic growth and make a real difference in closing the productivity gap.”

Across the UK, RSM’s analysis found a total of 56,615 new tech companies were incorporated in 2025, jumping 17% from 48,518 last year.

Number of new technology company incorporations – year-on-year comparison

Firms benefit from CivTech funding

Twelve start-up companies have each received £35,000 to fast track high-tech solutions to help improve people’s lives and public services.

Projects include finding new ways to improve support for people with long term health conditions, systems to help tackle teacher workload and the creation of a portal to gather the authentic language data required for building Gaelic digital technology such as voice recognition software.

The companies will enter a 15-week Accelerator phase of CivTech, the Scottish Government business incubator, working with their public sector sponsors to produce a ‘Minimum Viable Product’ for use and further development.

At the end of the programme, the companies could secure significant contracts and the opportunity to share major public investment of up to £7.7 million.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “CivTech 11 has once again delivered hugely promising proposals to tackle a wide range of challenges.”

Commsworld secures West Lothian contract

Commsworld, a UK-wide provider of networking and connectivity solutions, has secured a 15-year contract worth more than £8m to deliver and maintain a Wide Area Network (WAN) for West Lothian Council.

The contract will involve Commsworld replacing West Lothian’s current existing service with a brand new network providing a 10-fold increase in available bandwidth and access to faster, high-quality and resilient connectivity.

It will see Commsworld deliver high-capacity WAN services across the West Lothian Council ‘estate’, including schools, libraries, community facilities, and administrative buildings. 

The upgraded network will strengthen the council’s digital backbone, significantly enhancing internet access, data security, system reliability, and the performance of essential public-service applications.