Up to £10m in government contracts are up for grabs through the latest CivTech programme – the Scottish Government’s ‘tech for good’ innovation accelerator.
CivTech 8 Demo Day takes place in Edinburgh today where tech firms will showcase their solutions to a series of ‘challenges’ facing government.
Artificial intelligence, contemporary design, new biodiversity tech, and photogrammetry are among the solutions set to be demonstrated at the in-person event.
Seven teams across six challenges will showcase their tech-based solutions to CivTech 8 which address issues in supporting vulnerable people with energy problems, digitising systems in the Scottish Government, and using tech to support Scotland’s wildlife and nature. Solutions to two additional challenges will also be unveiled.
The programme will also launch its 9th cohort, with up to £10m in contracts to be won, the largest round yet. Priorities include economy, environment, health, net zero targets, and building sustainable public services.
Solutions to four challenges within CivTech 8 to be demonstrated come as part of the accelerator’s first official partnership with NatureScot called ‘Innovate for Nature.’ These challenges have a particular focus on how technology can be used to protect Scotland’s nature and environment.
CivTech 9 challenges will also tie-in closely with the climate emergency, improving biodiversity, and better understanding the state of Scotland’s natural resources. They are sponsored by a range of Scottish public and third sector organisations who are seeking solutions to generational and national level challenges.
Richard Lochhead MSP, minister for small business, trade, and innovation, said: “The world-class CivTech programme is enabling the public sector to work with the most innovative businesses on solving the greatest problems we face.
“Today’s demonstrations will show how successful these ideas can be. This is exactly the kind of creative thinking we want to encourage through our National Innovation Strategy, which sets out our vision to become one of the most innovative small nations in the world over the next decade.
“I am looking forward to seeing the latest inspiring projects from CivTech 8, and help launch new challenges with £10m Scottish Government support.”
One of the CivTech 9 challenges has a contract value of £1.3m and is sponsored by the Scottish Government Chief Scientist’s Office (Health), entitled, ‘How can technology help empower women to better understand menopause and access the right support for their individual needs at the right time.’
Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, chief scientist (Health) said: “I welcome this collaborative and exciting innovation challenge, which will result in transformative innovations that are able to be adopted across the NHS in a once for Scotland approach, and will help to ensure that all women in Scotland receive timely personalised menopause support.”
For more information on the Civtech Round 9 Challenges, visit here.
Source: Futurescot