Scottish Development International

Scotland has centuries of financial expertise coupled with an up-to-date, savvy tech sector 💷👩🏼💻 So it should come as no surprise that we’re home to a rising number of fintech companies. Find out how they could help you 👉 https://ow.ly/mQbH50Vruj1 Think data innovation. Think Scotland 🧠 #ScotlandIsNow #Fintech

Scotland is set to strengthen its position in space science with the launch of a Space Nanomaterials Atom Probe or SNAP, the UK’s first atom probe dedicated to examining the composition of space materials down to the atomic level. Backed by £5.3 million from UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the University of Glasgow will lead groundbreaking research into how materials withstand space environments. This next-generation facility will provide atomic-level insights that support future lunar habitats, advanced quantum devices, and innovations in semiconductors and energy. “The UK’s booming space sector will benefit from access to SNAP, which will provide new insights into how materials are affected by space weathering,” said Dr Luke Daly, of the University of Glasgow’s School of Geographical & Earth Sciences. Exciting times ahead for Scottish space research 🚀🔬 For the full article 👉 https://ow.ly/9VPu50VruhI #ScotlandIsNow #SpaceTech #Innovation

Scottish aerospace company Aurora Avionics is reaching new heights with its spaceflight innovation 🚀 The firm creates avionics controllers for launch vehicles, rocket engines and general robotics in extreme environments 💪 With new investment from Scottish Enterprise, Kelvin Capital, and Gabriel Investments, the firm is pushing the boundaries of spaceflight innovation 🌍 Aurora Avionics will use the capital to accelerate the development of its space launch guidance systems, helping launches to become faster, safer, and more affordable 📈 In doing so, it's helping cement Scotland's position as a leader in the global aerospace sector ✈️ https://ow.ly/58OL50VquqI #ScotlandIsNow #Space

When we look at industry and buildings across the UK, heat is the greatest source of carbon emissions 🏭🔥 Scotland, however, has solid clean heat ambitions. By 2030, Scotland aims to increase the number of buildings heated by a heat network to 650,000, with more than £20 billion of investment planned by 2050. But how can we achieve this? Demonstrating the country's determination to decarbonise heat, already 1,080 heat networks are operating across Scotland, with many fourth and fifth-generation projects underway. The Queen’s Quay 4G District Heating Network near Glasgow is a flagship project, which features the first water-source heat pump in Scotland on an industrial scale. Taking this one step further is the Clyde Gateway fifth-generation district heating and cooling network. Designed to meet different energy needs according to demand at one of the UK's most significant regeneration projects, its ultra-low temperature grid meant it can simultaneously provide cooling to one customer and heating to another. Find out more about how Scotland is set to become a heat network powerhouse over the coming decades 👉 https://ow.ly/axCU50VqznG #ScotlandIsNow #CleanHeat

US-based Halon Entertainment is expanding into Scotland with our support 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇸 The animation and visualisation company, which has worked on blockbuster movies including the Planet of the Apes franchise and Mission: Impossible - The final Reckoning, as well as gaming platforms such as Epic Games Fortnite, is to invest £28 million in a new Glasgow studio. We've been working closely with the company alongside our domestic arm, Scottish Enterprise, providing advice and support, including £3.9 million in funding towards the overall project costs, which will create 250 new jobs here. Welcoming the news, Scotland’s Culture Secretary, Angus Robertson, said: “I greatly welcome this major investment from Halon Entertainment, which is a huge endorsement of the skills, talent and experience that Glasgow offers and the strength of Scotland’s screen sector overall. It marks a major boost for the digital tech, film, TV, and games industries, reinforcing Scotland’s position as a global hub for creative technology." Learn more about what attracted Halon to Scotland and its plans for future growth ➡️ https://ow.ly/TsuU50VpOZg #ScotlandIsNow #FDI

Exciting news! An LA-based animation and visualisation company, that's worked on blockbuster movies such as the Planet of the Apes franchise, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, The Batman television series and Epic Games Fortnite gaming platform, is creating a new Glasgow studio 🤩🎉 Halon Entertainment has confirmed plans to invest £28 million expanding its operations to Glasgow, which will see 250 jobs created over the next three years. It says the country's skilled workforce, facilities and world-renowned academic institutions were just some of the reasons Scotland was its top choice 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Catching up with Adrian Gillespie, Chief Executive of our domestic arm Scottish Enterprise, and Scotland's Culture Secretary Angus Robertson MSP, to discuss its investment here, Christopher Ferriter, the President of Halon Entertainment, said: “With production happening across the globe, expanding our full-service studios on both sides of the Atlantic allows us to better support our clients with world-class services and top-tier talent, no matter where projects take them. Our new Scotland studio strengthens our ability to collaborate seamlessly across time zones and deliver exceptional work to even more productions worldwide.” Adrian added: “I’m excited to welcome Halon to Glasgow. It’s a huge win that an ambitious US studio has chosen Scotland as its location to expand and scale up. Its presence will enhance the reputation of the country’s digital tech industry, and of Glasgow as a hub of artistic and technical talent. It’s also a brilliant opportunity for animators and visual artists to help develop innovative creative content for movies, series and video games right here in Scotland.” Whilst LA will remain the home of Halon’s headquarters, its new Glasgow studio will complement and strengthen its operations, ensuring enhanced service and efficiency for the company’s global clients 👉 https://ow.ly/5H6A50VpzCw The news comes as Scotland prepares to shine a light on its gaming, consumer, healthtech, and energy transition industries at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan. #ScotlandIsNow #FDI

In Scotland, we're serious about hydrogen. We’re actively creating a hydrogen economy, making Scotland the ideal home for your low-carbon investment 💚 As the world shifts towards a net zero future, we need to ramp up the generation of renewable energy and clean hydrogen to reach our climate goals - join us on our journey to becoming a hydrogen nation and a leading exporter 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Think low carbon opportunities. Think Scotland 💡 To find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/StOR50Vo0Oq #ScotlandIsNow #Hydrogen

Scottish space tech companies are helping to find solutions to global problems like climate change, while innovation and R&D centres are continually working to make manufacturing faster, cheaper and smarter 💡 Through the use of sustainable, lightweight materials, discover how the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), an industry-led innovation centre hosted by the University of Strathclyde, is exploring the next generation of products and processes for a net-zero world 👉  http://ow.ly/E8zr50KOoAq #ScotlandIsNow #Space

Reflecting the true innovative nature that Scotland has, new figures show that our nation has the third-highest concentration of spinouts in the UK, with Edinburgh ranking as the second most popular location for new firms to locate their headquarters 🤩🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The Royal Academy of Engineering's study, which measures the success of spinout companies from UK academic institutions, also ranked three Scottish universities in its top 20, including The University of Edinburgh, which fostered a record 71 new businesses 👏 Read the full article 👉 https://ow.ly/gLLo50VnqtE #ScotlandIsNow #Innovation

Did you know Scotland’s space sector is transforming the world of finance? 🚀🌎 It's providing satellite-powered insights that help institutions around the world manage risk, verify environmental, social, and governance (ESG) claims, and drive smarter investments 📈🛰️ 🔹 ESG and Risk Management - firms like Earthblox and Space Intelligence enable real-time environmental monitoring, helping investors ensure compliance with sustainability regulations. 🔹 Cybersecurity and Data Protection - companies like Lupovis and Craft Prospect are pioneering space-based security solutions to protect financial data from cyber threats. 🔹 Weather and Market Predictions - firms like Orbital Micro Systems (Weather Stream) use satellite AI modelling to help insurers and traders stay ahead of extreme weather impacts. With deep expertise in space data, AI, and cybersecurity, Scotland is shaping the future of finance - ensuring smarter decisions, stronger security, and sustainable growth. Discover more about how Scottish space data is set to revolutionise financial services 👉 https://ow.ly/b24q50VlhPZ Think space data. Think Scotland💡 #ScotlandIsNow #FinTech #SpaceData