Press release: CivTech 8 launches
CivTech has today announced two brand new Challenges to kickstart CivTech 8, marking the first time CivTech will have two Accelerators running in tandem. Four further CivTech 8 Challenges are due to be announced later in November.
The rapid scaling of the Accelerator Programme comes because of a £6 million funding boost for Challenges announced by the Scottish Government earlier this year. For the first time CivTech will run two full cohorts at the same time. The move boosts opportunities for innovative companies to solve major challenges facing the public and third sector in Scotland, while simultaneously growing their own business and industry profile.
2022 has been the biggest year so far for CivTech and its opportunities for start-ups and businesses to come forward with solutions to real life problems facing public sector organisations, charities and citizens across Scotland. 2021’s CivTech 6 alumni companies have already collectively received £2.5 million in follow-on contracts, and there is up to £6 million available to the companies on CivTechs 7 and 8.
CivTech 8 launches today with the first two Challenges; 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. And 8.2: How can technology help drive effective resource management for a multiskilled workforce in a constantly changing environment?, sponsored by the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), and Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate.
Challenge 8.1 is seeking a solution to help more vulnerable individuals who need support from Citizens Advice Scotland to deal with issues around the energy crisis. Challenge 8.2 is looking for a technology to help plan resources and predict how resources need to be allocated throughout the year from the Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID), and Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate.
Interested companies are invited to register on Public Contracts Scotland and apply by 28 November 2022.