Scottish Government investment bank puts £12.5m into Glaswegian laser firm
New national institution puts money into tech start-up
Glasgow cityscape Credit: John Lindie/CC BY 2.0
The Scottish National Investment Bank has been launched, with a Glasgow-based tech start-up the first business to receive financial backing.
The Scottish Government-owned bank will invest £12.5m into M Squared Lasers, a company specialising in laser and quantum technology.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon said the launch is “one of the most significant developments in the lifetime of this parliament".
The bank is the UK’s first “mission-led” development bank, which aims to support projects and businesses with long-term investment funding in order to grow the Scottish economy.
The Scottish Government has committed £2bn to the bank over ten years, for projects that fulfil criteria such as innovation, tackling inequality and achieving net-zero goals.
Related content
- Government puts £80m into quantum technology
- Glasgow’s digital vision promises a citywide 3D strategy, online budget consultations – and an iPad for every child
- Government puts £80m into quantum technology
The bank’s chief executive Eilidh Mactaggart was appointed in April 2020 and its non-executive directors are Tracey Ashworth-Davies, Carolyn Jameson, Peter Knott, Jason McGibbon, Nicholas Moon, Candida Morley, Dr Jacqueline Redmond and Sir Jonathan Taylor.
Sturgeon said: “The Scottish National Investment Bank will help to tackle some of the biggest challenges we face now and in the years to come, delivering economic, social and environmental returns. It is hitting the ground running with its first major investment in M Squared – a great example of the ambitious and innovative companies we have here in Scotland that will be key to our economic recovery and future prosperity. The launch of the bank is one of the most significant developments in the lifetime of this parliament, with the potential for it to transform, grow and decarbonise Scotland’s economy.”
Dr Graeme Malcolm, CEO and founder of M Squared, said: “Science and advanced technologies have a major role to play in Scotland’s future economic prosperity. By increasing investment in research and development with a mission-based approach, Scotland has a real opportunity to actively tackle climate change and benefit from the coming quantum revolution. We are delighted that the Scottish National Investment Bank has invested in M Squared as its very first business – our shared commitments to society and the environment makes this an ideal partnership that will enable accelerated growth and progress in frontier technologies.”
Share this page
Tags
Categories
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM READERS
Please login to post a comment or register for a free account.
Related Articles
Computacenter and AWS have, in the last 12 months, both been added to the list of the government’s foremost suppliers
Local authorities ink six-year contract
Department seeks head to oversee possible expansion to cover corporation tax
PublicTechnology rounds up the most-read and significant stories we covered this year
Related Sponsored Articles
One Trust breaks down the modular approach of the new SCCs
In 2020 public sector organisations have been tested to a degree never experienced before. According to CrowdStrike, increasing cybersecurity attacks are an additional complication they must...