Scotland is a popular place for startups, and the new startups in Scotland have proven to drive change and push boundaries. There are many new startups in Scotland, from health industries to AI industries, and all these startups are setting Scotland up to be a hub for forward-thinking entrepreneurship.
Why Is The Scotland Startup Scene Booming?
Scotland is becoming a booming hub, especially for new tech startups, and especially in Edinburgh. These startups are revolutionising Scotland’s tech scene and paving the way for even more exciting ventures across various industries.
As Scotland is home to some of the world’s leading universities, its talent pool is rich with education. These institutions are known for their world-class teaching in fields such as computer science, engineering, and data science, which helps explain why the tech industry is flourishing in Scotland.
Another key reason people choose Scotland to launch startups is the country’s supportive government. There are various initiatives and funding schemes that are vital for early-stage businesses.
Scotland also has a robust investment ecosystem, offering various opportunities for financial backing—crucial for startups aiming to scale.
On top of that, Scotland’s natural beauty and quality of life offer entrepreneurs a great work-life balance, which is an attractive prospect for many business owners.
10 New Startups In Scotland That Are Making Waves
Here are some of the new startups in Scotland that are worth watching:
1. Konversable
Konversable is a recent startup based in Glasgow. They specialise in AI-driven chatbots and messaging technology to enhance customer engagement.
The startup stands out through its smart conversation features, such as automated video interaction, a multi-channel inbox, powerful marketing tools, and the fact that no coding is required.
In November 2024, Konversable raised nearly £300,000 in a funding round.
2. AgriSynth
AgriSynth is an Aberdeen-based startup founded in 2021. It focuses on complex synthetic imagery for AI.
The company leverages AI models to create targeted images for specific species, crops, or weeds. This approach not only tackles agricultural challenges but also promotes crop production and the adoption of innovative technologies.
According to AgriSynth, current AI models only address less than 5% of agricultural problems. However, with their platform, it’s now possible to tackle the remaining 95% as well.
AgriSynth received funding from the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme in 2024.
3. Wobble Genomics
Wobble Genomics is an Edinburgh-based biotech startup established in 2021, specialising in RNA sequencing for diagnostics.
They use full-length RNA sequencing from blood samples to uncover new biomarkers that could transform cancer medicine.
What makes this startup unique is its ability to accurately detect full-length RNA—previously invisible—which could have widespread applications, from drug development to agriculture and ecology.
The company has raised over £10.5 million in investment rounds to date.
4. Neupulse
Neupulse is an Edinburgh-based medtech startup, also founded in 2021, that focuses on non-invasive neuromodulation for mental health.
A spin-out from the University of Nottingham, Neupulse won the 2024 StartUp Awards’ Health StartUp category.
One of their primary focuses is Tourette’s syndrome, and they have developed a non-drug treatment that reduces tics and associated urges. The treatment involves a wearable tech device that gently stimulates the median nerve in the wrist.
5. Aquanzo
This St Andrews-based startup, founded in 2022, specialises in agritech—specifically farming marine proteins for aquafeed.
With the rapid growth of aquaculture, the need for sustainable food production has surged. Aquanzo addresses this with a unique solution that upcycles wasted nutrients using Artemia—a sustainable alternative to fishmeal.
Their work is opening up new opportunities for sustainable growth in aquaculture, animal feed, and human nutrition.
The startup has raised £1.2 million, which will be used to help scale their business.
6. BabyReady
BabyReady is a fintech startup founded in 2021 in Glasgow. It focuses on providing financial solutions to help parents prepare for having a baby.
The platform promotes financial literacy and equips parents with a variety of tools and advice, from opening savings accounts to choosing suitable savings methods for their families.
Using AI data analytics and open banking technology, BabyReady provides more accurate financial predictions and advice.
7. Rethink Carbon
This climate tech startup, founded in 2022 in Aviemore, is supported by over £600,000 in funding.
Emerging from the Scottish Government’s CivTech programme in 2021, Rethink Carbon focuses on tackling climate change and biodiversity loss.
Their aim is to educate landowners—regardless of experience—on how to make better-informed decisions. They are developing software solutions that create positive impacts on nature, the climate, and surrounding communities.
8. Aurora Avionics
Aurora Avionics is an Edinburgh-based startup focused on the defence and space manufacturing industry.
They are developing cutting-edge launcher control systems using highly reliable digital architectures and fault-tolerant hardware platforms.
Chris Larmour, founder and former CEO of Orbex, has joined as Aurora Avionics’ non-executive director.
The company recently raised £320,000 and, with its high-profile leadership, is set to make significant strides in the years ahead.
9. TechScaler
Founded in 2022 and backed by £42 million in Scottish Government investment, TechScaler supports tech founders in growing and scaling their businesses.
They connect startups with expert industry operators, mentors, and educational resources such as playbooks and courses. TechScaler also hosts events that bring the startup community together.
Their core mission is to help startups move beyond their initial stages by offering the critical support needed to succeed.
10. Fellow Creatures
Founded in 2019 in Edinburgh, this innovative startup caters to chocolate lovers looking for indulgence without compromise by offering vegan chocolate products.
Their range includes everything from milk-free chocolate to matcha white chocolate, salted caramel, raspberry white chocolate, and creamy hazelnut. They also offer a variety of spreads, all made from smooth, plant-based chocolate.
