£7.8m contract opportunity for tech firms via CivTech Scotland
We are pleased to inform our members about CivTech and the 9 challenges they have recently announced working with partners in Scottish Government, Forestry and Land Scotland and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
The CivTech9 challenges represent by far the most exciting and well-funded set CivTech has launched, with some £7.8 million of contract opportunities for teams and businesses able to solve some of the most difficult problems we face.
This provides a great opportunity for techUK members, from small enterprising businesses to larger tech firms, to help the public sector tackle some of their big challenges using tech.
The 9 challenges include:
- How can technology help us rapidly and accurately gather and analyse stress, pests and disease data in trees and wild plants to aid early detection at national levels?
- How can technology help empower women to better understand menopause and access the right support for their individual needs at the right time?
- How can we help Wildlife Rangers identify the exact location of every animal larger than 5 kilograms in a specified area in real time, in order to improve forest management and ecological restoration?
- How can innovation help get venison sourced through sustainable deer management practices, into the food supply chain safely and quickly?
- How can we use technology to create the most efficient and secure supply chain for public sector procurements?
- How can technology help Scotland’s public sector protect against ransomware and other forms of cyber-crime, and should they occur mitigate and recover from their effects, including data loss?
- How can technology help increase access to public services and products by making use of the trusted relationships people already have?
- How can technology offer everyone an individualised communications channel that is endlessly adaptable, never goes out of date and interacts with public sector services securely and in a timely way?
- How can technology and data create a streamlined experience to help people and businesses across Scotland get access to training, guidance, support and approval for the licences they need, starting with tobacco and fireworks products?
Further information on the Challenges can be found on their website.
Who are CivTech?
Across Scotland public and third sector organisations have problems they would like solved. With budgets under pressure and rising demand straining services, the need for smart and efficient solutions is ever greater and the public sector is increasingly aware that innovation is a good way to create them.
The Scottish Government is also committed to ensuring that a large part of its tech spend goes to small, innovative businesses.
This is where CivTech comes in.
The CivTech Innovation Flow is designed to create digital solutions to public sector problems as quickly and effectively as possible. For you – whether you’re an individual, team or company – it’s an opportunity to tackle a challenge, solve it, and win contracts with a blue-chip public sector organisation. You’ll build a product and a business to take it as far as possible because here’s the kicker: the challenges we issue aren’t ‘single organisation’ problems – most exist worldwide.
There’s a longer explanation of the Innovation Flow below, but in short…
Open challenges are set. Any organisation, team or individual can respond to them. Applications are assessed, and shortlisted proposals go into an Exploration Stage where they are developed further. The best go through to the Accelerator – four months of intensive work to create the solution. And through CivTech’s unique business workshop system, a business capable of taking the emerging product to the world is created.
If you have any questions please contact CivTech.
Ileana Lupsa
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Matt Robinson
Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.
techUK – Building Stronger Local Economies
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience. We provide opportunities for our members and local stakeholders to meet, build relationships, and collaborate to drive forward local projects. For more information or to get in touch, please visit our Nations and Regions Hub and click ‘contact us’.
Upcoming Nations and Regions events:
North West Telecoms Showcase – Accelerating growth and connectivity across the region
Avril Robarts Library, Liverpool John Moores University Exhibition
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Contact the team:
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson
Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- techuk.org,,techuk.org,
Ileana Lupsa
Ileana Lupsa
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- @IleanaLupsa
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/ileana-lupsa
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