Tech For Good Innovations showcased at CivTech Demo Day

Cutting edge Artificial intelligence, contemporary design, new biodiversity tech, and photogrammetry are just some of the tech tools set to be showcased at today’s (June 27th) CivTech 8 Demo Day when, for the first time, the Challenges for the next CivTech Accelerator will also be announced.

Seven teams across six challenges are showcasing their technology-based solutions to CivTech 8 Challenges 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.

CivTech Round 9 will also launch this afternoon, with an insight into brand new Challenges which focus on key Scottish Government priorities including economy, environment, health, net zero targets, and building sustainable public services. Challenges in CivTech Round 9 are worth potentially more than £10 million, collectively.

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.

Following on from the successful launch of the first group of Innovate for Nature Challenges as part of CivTech 8, CivTech Round 9 will include further Challenges for nature and the environment. These Challenges tie-in closely to 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.

CivTech 8 Demo Day is an in-person only event, and offers attendees the opportunity to hear about the latest developments and opportunities from the CivTech Accelerator, including hearing from companies who have gone on to further success after the programme.

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 £10 million Scottish Government support.”

More information about the CivTech 9 Challenges can be found here.

Full list of CivTech 8 Challenges, Sponsors and Winning Companies:

Challenge 8.1: How can technology help to quickly identify and prioritise support for people in the most vulnerable situations, starting with those having energy problems?

Sponsored by The Extra Help Unit (EHU), Citizens Advice Scotland

Challenge winner: HelpFirst (a SIDE Labs spinout) has developed an AI-Driven customer prioritisation system to help identify the consumer most at risk of harm, allowing targeted support to help those in need and the caseworkers who support them.

Challenge 8.2: How can technology help drive effective resource management for a multiskilled workforce in a constantly changing environment?

Sponsored by Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate, Scottish Government

Challenge Winner:  ITER IDEA has developed a platform enhanced with AI powered optimisation capabilities to give a systematic overview of resources’ skills, projects, availability, and location in a constantly changing environment.

Challenge 8.3: How can technology help to create a nature network by 2030 across all of the different areas of Scotland?

Sponsored by NatureScot and Scottish Wildlife Trust

Challenge Winner: AECOM has created a platform which will support habitat protection, creation and investment decisions whilst facilitating community and landowner-led Nature Network projects.

Challenge 8.4: How can technology help us better assess and identify projects and opportunities that will improve and increase investment in Scotland’s marine natural capital?

Sponsored by Marine Scotland

Challenge Winner: Two businesses have solved this Challenge with different solutions. Tritonia Scientific Ltd uses georeferenced photogrammetry, an emerging technology that enables marine environments to be reliably quantified and monitored. AECOM will develop tools to enable project design and collaboration in marine natural capital.

Challenge 8.5: How can technology help NatureScot flexibly manage its understanding of the state of protected areas by making best use of available evidence?

Sponsored by NatureScot

Challenge Winner: Informed Solutions has developed an Environmental Asset Management platform. Using spatiotemporal intelligence and AI to provide domain-specific insights regarding ecosystem health: informing management decisions and enabling collaboration with stakeholders.

Challenge 8.6: How can biodiversity credits be designed in a way that provides simplicity for projects and buyers, and enables investment in Scotland’s nature?​

Sponsored by NatureScot, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Scottish Government Environment and Forestry Directorate

Challenge Winner: CreditNature will develop a solution to make nature recovery investable by measuring changes in ecosystem integrity for assessing nature positive impacts and biodiversity related risk.

Additional Challenge 1: How can technology be used to predict and measure the impact of projects and investments?

Sponsored by Social Investment Scotland (SIS), National Performance Framework (NPF) and The CivTech Programme.

Challenge Winner: Port F will deliver a tech solution that can be used to predict and measure the impact of projects and investments.

 Additional Challenge 2: How can technology be used to support the circular economy and Net Zero ambitions?

Sponsored by South of Scotland Enterprise and Zero Waste Scotland.

Challenge winner Looper  will deliver a digital circularity assessment tool and marketplace platform to help local businesses in the South of Scotland realise their circular economy and Net Zero ambitions.