The University of Edinburgh, Becoming a Scottish Silicon Valley

When we think of technology startups, Scotland is not usually the first place that we think of. The first and most obvious place which comes to mind is the home of Facebook, Google, and other tech giants. This place is the now almost mythical place known as Silicon Valley in California. Palo Alto is almost synonymous with venture capital tech success. The next place that often comes to mind is London. It is home to what people are starting to call Silicon Roundabout. It is home to such giants as King Games among others. After these two places, the average person will struggle to think of any other tech startup hubs. Another place which is making its mark in the venture capital market is Edinburgh, thanks to efforts made by the University of Edinburgh.

High Tech Highlands

Scotland has always been a highly innovative place. Its role in the development in modern industry, and capitalism as we know it today has been and remains very important. The Scots have a long history of groundbreaking innovation. This continues thanks to the activities of the University of Edinburgh. The university has, in only the last year, funded over 44 start-ups and several more spin-outs with its investment value reaching a record high of GBP 237 million. This adds to the 184 in the last five years, and the more than 400 since it first starting helping startups.

A Unique Success Story

Some of the highlights include some remarkable tech companies. For example, you need to look at pureLiFi. This firm specializes in visible light communications. This works to eliminate issues related to shrinking wireless bandwidth. The company has been so groundbreaking that its founder was invited to speak at a TED conference to demonstrate the technology even before it was commercialized. The company is still relatively small as it stands, valued at less than GBP 20 million, but this will change soon. They project the sale of over half a billion light sources. One of the prime advantages along with the increased speeds is the higher security. Due to the nature of the technology which does not go through walls, it is not easy to intercept.