The Scottish Government's Techscaler programme is committed to supporting Scotland’s growing tech ecosystem, and we’re excited to introduce a powerful funding opportunity that can help tech startups take the next step: the Techscaler Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Small R&D Grant, offered in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise.
If you’re an early-stage tech company with ambitions to innovate and scale, this grant could be a game changer for your research and development (R&D) projects. Here’s what you need to know:
What is the Techscaler MVP Grant?
The Techscaler MVP Grant provides funding for tech startps and scaleups based in Scotland, helping them bring new products, processes, or services to life. This grant, with awards ranging from £5,000 to £50,000, is specifically designed to support R&D activities that can drive innovation in high-growth industries across the nation.
The grant is available to companies that have participated in the Techscaler Catalyst programme. While not all companies who participate in the programme will qualify, those who do could see their project costs supported up to 45% for smaller companies (with fewer than 50 employees) and 35% for medium-sized enterprises (with 50 to 250 employees).
Why this change?
The MVP Grant is designed to support early-stage founders who are navigating the initial phases of building a tech company. The Catalyst accelerator provides a valuable framework for these founders - helping them validate ideas, build their MVP, and better understand the broader funding landscape.
Catalyst equips founders with a solid foundation in funding strategy and supports them in exploring a wide range of funding options. This change ensures the grant is directed toward those who are relevant and best positioned to benefit from it, with the right support and plan behind them.
Importantly, the MVP Grant isn’t intended for everyone - and it shouldn’t be. It’s one of several tools within the broader Techscaler offering, specifically tailored to founders at a certain stage. This change helps keep the grant focused and effective for the group it’s most relevant to.
What does this mean for founders?
To be considered for the MVP Grant, you’ll now need to join the Catalyst programme. However, we advise against joining Catalyst solely to access the grant - that’s unlikely to be the best use of your time.
Catalyst is a fully funded programme designed for early-stage founders who are actively exploring, testing, or validating their startup ideas. If you're not looking to fully participate, other Scottish Enterprise grants, such as SMART, may be more suitable.
Importantly, the MVP Grant is just one of several funding routes we explore in Catalyst. Through the programme, we provide office hours, funding strategy support, and introductions to a global network of investors.
If Catalyst isn’t the right fit for where you are in your journey, we recommend exploring alternative funding options. But if you’re seeking structured guidance on building your funding approach, Catalyst could be a valuable opportunity.
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