Edinburgh Innovations, University of Edinburgh’s tech transfer office, signed up to the government-backed initiative FinTech Scotland yesterday with the aim of supporting research and entrepreneurship in Scotland’s fintech sector.
The university will fund FinTech Scotland alongside the Scottish government, state-owned economic development agency Scottish Enterprise and corporations. The body will promote sustainable economic growth through innovation, collaboration and inclusion.
University of Edinburgh’s incubator, research and development programs, including the Edinburgh Futures Institute knowledge transfer initiative, will assist in FinTech Scotland’s work.
FinTech Scotland is also expected work with other Scotland-based universities and the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, a regional government funding initiative.
Stephen Ingledew, a former managing director for marketing and customer strategy at insurance group Standard Life, has been appointed chief executive for FinTech Scotland. His team will initially be based at Edinburgh Innovations, however it is unclear what the permanent arrangements will be.
Edinburgh Innovations’ recent tech transfer activities have included a non-exclusive agreement signed in November 2017 giving commercialisation firm Mercia Technologies access to its intellectual property pipeline. The TTO has helped start 189 companies over the past five years.
George Baxter, chief executive of Edinburgh Innovations, said: “We are proud to play a role in the establishment of FinTech Scotland as we pursue the University of Edinburgh’s ongoing strategic commitment to the delivery of skills and talent in this sector.”
