ScotlandIS 'ready to fill vacuum left by Connect Scotland demise'

Published on Saturday 19 July 2008 14:46

SOFTWARE trade body ScotlandIS intends to fill the gap left by the demise of investment networking group Connect Scotland.

Connect ran events for technology entrepreneurs along the lines of BBC's Dragons' Den but has been forced to close after struggling with mounting debts.

Scotland on Sunday revealed last week that Connect had run into problems securing new sources of income.

Accounts filed at Companies House showed a loss last year of almost 113,000.

Now, the trade body that represents software, telecoms and IT interests has emerged as the main ambassador of Scotland's information and communications technology (ICT) sector at home and overseas. Polly Purvis, executive director of ScotlandIS, said she was disappointed at Connect's closure.

She emphasised the organisation she represented was, in contrast, doing "surprisingly well", given the economic effects of the credit crunch. "We see more opportunities now to achieve better results from the supply chain by getting companies and organisations to collaborate closer," she said.

This was especially relevant when it involved small to medium-sized firms. ScotlandIS hopes to fill the breach when it comes to supporting young companies and start-ups, which in the past have looked more to Connect for a helping hand to transform their plans into sound business propositions.

Cisco is behind a round table on Wednesday, which involves ScotlandIS along with Learn Direct and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry. The problem of Scotland's low productivity levels is on the agenda.