Tie-up involving tech giant Cisco aims to boost Scottish uni start-up pipeline

A collaboration has been struck in a bid to accelerate the pipeline of technology start-ups emerging from Scotland’s universities.

A collaboration has been struck in a bid to accelerate the pipeline of technology start-ups emerging from Scottish universities. Picture: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

The alliance between global tech giant Cisco and Converge, the academic company creation programme, will allow the latter to deliver an enhanced package of support that is said to a first for Scotland.

This will include mentoring, access to the Cisco DevNet and Innovation programmes, and also access to Cisco Webex collaboration technologies for all participating entrepreneurs.

Claudia Cavalluzzo, director of Converge, said: “As highlighted in the recent Mark Logan review, Scotland is on the brink of becoming a major tech-ecosystem with global reach, providing much needed jobs and putting the country firmly back on the road to economic growth.

“For this ambition to be realised, we need a healthy pipeline of technology start-ups coming out of our universities and our new collaboration with Cisco, one of the world’s leading technology companies, will help us to provide an enhanced level of support, unavailable anywhere else in Scotland.”

Shane Heraty, regional director, Cisco Ireland and Scotland, added: “We are incredibly excited to partner with Converge, to help the next generation of innovators turn their ideas into commercially viable businesses that help Scotland thrive.

“After over 30 years of connecting the UK, Cisco is in a great place to help accelerate its digital future. Nearly every internet connection in the UK touches Cisco technology and we’re investing in projects across Scotland to support innovation, from transport and healthcare, to cyber-security and digital skills.”

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