A new partnership has been formed to help entrepreneurs in the digital sector grow and flourish within the north-east.
Private sector-led economic development body, Opportunity North East (ONE), and tech business incubator CodeBase have teamed up to form One CodeBase.
Its main aim is to help grow the industry in Aberdeen and to create businesses of scale with “international aspirations” which can be used in other major sectors including oil, gas and energy, food, drink and agriculture and life sciences.
CodeBase is the UK’s largest early-stage digital technology incubator, home to more than 100 of the country’s leading technology companies.
The partnership is the tech firm’s first move north from its existing locations in Edinburgh and Stirling.
The ONE Digital & Entrepreneurship (ONE D&E) sector board, which is leading the initiative, said this marks the start of its investment to build digital capacity and capability in the region.
ONE D&E said it plans to invest up to £1.5 million this year in digital company growth which will include the creation of a hub for tech business incubation, acceleration and entrepreneurship growth.
Up to £1m will be available every year after that to 2026 to support its digital and entrepreneurship development agenda, with the aim of leveraging match-funding from the private and public sectors.
Sir Ian Wood, chairman of ONE D&E, said: “The ONE CodeBase partnership will deliver the specialist support required for digital company creation and growth, provide crucial access to experienced digital entrepreneurs, and increase the number of entrepreneurial businesses with scale and international reach. ONE is investing to drive this agenda at pace.
“Bringing CodeBase’s proven digital incubation expertise and network into the heart of the region is the first step towards building a significant cluster of digital tech companies.
“Most importantly, the CodeBase team shares our vision for the north-east of Scotland to be a leading player in corporate industrial transformation.”
Stephen Coleman, chief executive and co-founder at CodeBase, said: “There is a fantastic opportunity to build significant digital businesses in the Aberdeen area, which will have a transformative effect on the economy.
“The wealth of talent in Aberdeen and the unrivalled access to global corporates is a key driver for CodeBase in our quest to create jobs and wealth for the next generation of digital entrepreneurs,” added Mr Coleman.