Local enterprises to showcase potential of technology to transform creative industries

A series of local creative enterprises supported by South of Scotland Enterprise to invest in technology to realise their potential will put their ideas on show this month. 

Two events will take place in Dumfries and Galashiels in May, featuring enterprises who have benefited from our £100,000 CreaTech Fund.

CreaTech (Creative Technology) brings together creative skills and emerging technologies to create new ways of working and to inspire business growth and investment.

CreaTech aims to embrace the commercial and cultural possibilities of virtual reality, augmented reality, Internet of Things, virtual production, artificial intelligence, 5G, and other developing fields.

What is the SOSE CreaTech Fund?

Grants of between £2,000 and £5,000 were provided to 25 commercial and community enterprises across the region in September 2023 by SOSE, with a number participating in the two showcase events.

Showcase event details and sign up

  • Dumfries & Galloway College in Dumfries on Tuesday 14 May, 10.30am to 1pm. You can sign up for the Dumfries event here. 
  • Borders College in Galashiels on Thursday 16 May, 10.30am to 1pm. You can sign up for the Galashiels event here. 

Those attending will get the chance to speak to the enterprises who have benefited from the CreaTech Fund, as well as learn more about the support available through partners, and network with other creative entrepreneurs.

CreaTech Showcase events partners

Partners supporting the two events include:

Jane Morrison-Ross, Chief Executive of SOSE, said:

“The CreaTech Fund and two showcase events build on the findings of the South of Scotland’s first Creative Economy Guide.

“Released last year, it highlighted that the industry is worth over £280million a year to the region, and is continuing to grow.  

“SOSE believes there is huge potential to deliver economic growth by bringing together innovative technology and the creative and cultural industries.

“The South of Scotland is a region of opportunity, and I would encourage anyone already involved in or has an interest in CreaTech to come along to one of the showcase events and find out more about the ideas being created and support available.”

Sarah-Jane Burns, Head of Regional Engagement for South of Scotland at CodeBase, added: 

“The creative industries and tech are strongly interlinked, and CodeBase's first education programme, Creative Bridge, bridged the creative and tech communities by giving creatives the tools and business models to develop and create digital products. 

“We are so pleased that these events will showcase the creativity in the South and our Techscaler programme is here to support Scottish creatives and those who wish to take their ideas to the next level.”