Geovation Scotland welcomes first startups

Registers of Scotland and Ordnance Survey have announced the first businesses joining the Geovation Scotland Accelerator Programme; a funded initiative that provides start-ups with support, mentorship and access to high quality data and office space.

The inaugural programme, which runs for a year, will be based at RoS’ headquarters, Meadowbank House, Edinburgh.

The first Geovation Scotland cohort supported by RoS and OS consists of:

• Folarity | Founder Martin Warne is looking at tools that will help forest managers plan and monitor their woodlands quickly and more effectively
• AboveBoard | Sarah Morrison and Jamie Henderson are looking to solve the many issues that arise from the Scottish factoring market, providing digital tools to those in new developments, tenements and flats
• Walks and Waterfalls | Founder Oscar Van Heek is utilising Scotland’s unique waterfalls and wild swimming areas through the creation of a treasure hunt app

The startups are joining the programme following a competitive selection process which attracted applicants from across Scotland.

Jennifer Henderson, keeper of the Registers of Scotland, said: “This initiative will provide an environment for fostering innovation and creativity. It represents our ongoing commitment to finding new uses for RoS data that can benefit the people of Scotland and the Scottish economy.”

Geovation accelerators have been running in London, in partnership with HM Land Registry and OS, since 2015, creating more than 200 new jobs and raising £23.3m in investment funding.

Alex Wrottesley, head of Geovation, said: “The diversity and quality of the applications to the Geovation Scotland Accelerator Programme were very strong and this bodes well for the future.”