Key angel investor expects Edinburgh to become top UK tech hub

Edinburgh could become one of the leading tech hubs in the UK as Scotland enters its post-pandemic recovery, according to a high-profile angel investor – who is eyeing businesses in the city.

Mr Dixon expects a 'wave of successful tech start-ups' to launch in Edinburgh in coming years. Picture: Lisa Ferguson.

Andrew Dixon, founder of ARC InterCapital that invests in early-stage technology businesses in the UK, has voiced his support for the Scottish capital – and suggests that it will become a focal point for the British technology industry, potentially overtaking other cities such as Manchester, Leeds, or Birmingham.

Mr Dixon said: "Edinburgh will become the UK's next tech hub. I'm predicting a wave of successful tech start-ups to launch in the city over the coming years, and I've got my eye on businesses here.”

The capital is home to many global tech companies, and has served as the birthplace of several tech “unicorns” — start-ups valued at least $1 billion (£725,000) – such as online travel giant Skyscanner.

The angel investor is the founder of ARC InterCapital, which invests in early-stage technology businesses in the UK. Picture: contributed.

Mr Dixon’s comments come in the wake of the news that former Skyscanner executive Mark Logan has been appointed to oversee a multi-million-pound initiative to establish Scotland as a world-class technology hub.

Additionally, Digital Scotland recently said technology will be one of the fastest-growing sectors in the nation between now and 2029 in terms of gross value added, growing one and a half times faster than the overall economy.

Mr Dixon has co-invested in Live It, which operates out of Edinburgh’s tech incubator CodeBase – and he cites the city's high concentration of talent due to its universities and robust financial sector as indicators of continued growth in its technology industry.

"Edinburgh is uniquely positioned on so many fronts. It has a strong university ecosystem that is spinning out cutting-edge academic research every day and a developed financial sector, with the appetite to support start-ups through their scale-up phase,” he said.

"Perhaps most importantly, the city has a vibrant and diverse cultural scene, which will be a strong draw for entrepreneurs and top talent. Very few other cities in the UK, such as Manchester, Leeds or Birmingham, can compete with Edinburgh on that right now. I have already co-invested in ticketing firm Live It with Scottish Enterprise – and I have no doubt more will follow."

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