Picastro launch, House of Seaweed, new WindTech accelerator

Plus new manufacturing funding and a new co-working partnership in Fife.

Jul 22, 2024

Here's your Campfire for the 22th of July, 2024.

💼 This issue of Campfire is sponsored by Geovation Scotland. If you’re building in land, property, and location technologies, learn about their new cohort and read more about what Geovation Scotland can offer below.

🌊 Updates

🪐 Ayrshire-based Picastro, an image-sharing platform for astronomers and astrophotographers, has been launched by Ayrshire Tom McCrorie. The launch follows ‘a six-figure investment from a Middle Eastern investor’ with interests in astronomical observatories. TH SBN IN SS

🪸 Seaweed Enterprises has launched a new brand ‘House of Seaweed’ (where’d they come up with that one!?) and is fundraising, aiming to become a leading trade processing hub in Scotland, the UK, and beyond. With £597k raised towards a £1.6m target, the funds will support a factory fit-out, establishing it as the UK's largest multi-species seaweed processing hub. IN SBN

🎪 Coworking and hot-desking will be available at theatres, halls, and libraries across Fife through a partnership between Techscaler and OnFife. New ‘pop-up’ hubs in cultural venues will boost tech startups in the region. The Adam Smith Theatre in Kirkcaldy, Rothes Hall in Glenrothes, and Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries will host workspaces and events for aspiring tech entrepreneurs. More info here. FS SS

🍃 Opinion: Glasgow-based Katrick Technologies (greentech innovator) is calling for more government support for wind innovation. The company is urging the new UK Government to back emerging Scottish wind technologies, including ground-level wind power generation. TS

🏗️ Building in proptech or tech for manufacturing? New challenge announced: Scottish Enterprise has launched a £35 million programme to create 1 million sq ft of new industrial space in Scotland. The initial phase offers £15m over five years for developers to bid for support to build or refurbish at least 15,000 sq ft of premises. SCN DGT

🌀 Offshore Wind Tech Accelerator open for applications: Scottish companies can now apply to join ORE Catapult’s Launch Academy. This industry-backed programme supports the commercialisation of new technologies to enhance the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, boost local content, and reduce costs. Register interest here. DGT IN

📣 Asks & Offers

🚨Start to Scale by Shepherd and Wedderburn is offering eligible subscribers of Campfire exclusive access to their ‘Start to Scale Hub’ which helps companies create template legal agreements in minutes for free. To learn more and request access click here.

🗣️ Faur, a new Edinburgh-based strategic communications collective, is offering a free Communications Strategy to supercharge one Scottish startup. You can find more details here, and have until Wednesday, 17th July 2024 to register interest.

🥃 Are you a problem-solver driven by curiosity and a passion for your work? Do you thrive on deep, meaningful conversations and value fostering long-lasting relationships? Do you love whisky? If so, we invite you to become a founding member of Dram & Discourse. Learn more here

🦅 Barclays Eagle Labs launched their new Eagle Labs Academy, funded by the UK Government. The Academy provides access to free learning content and entrepreneurship training from different sources. Aiming for those starting their journey to those wanting to scale. Aside from the content, Eagle Labs has partnerships and access opportunities with the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, and their Demo Directory. Find out more here.

👭 Interested in connecting with possible co-founders? Fill in your listing on Cofounder Curious today! Connect with others for possible cofounder matching here.

👷Are you hiring? Send us a blurb and we’ll include it in the next newsletter!

✍️ Want to write something for Campfire? Have an opinion you'd like to share? get in touch!

Introducing The Geovation Scotland Accelerator Cohort 6!

by Robert Gelb, written in partnership with Geovation Scotland.

Geovation Scotland has announced its 2024 cohort! As a reminder, The Geovation Scotland Accelerator supports and empowers early-stage founders to bring new services harnessing the power of location, property, and land data to market.

Now that a new cohort’s been announced, we’re keen to dig into who they are and what they’re up to. You can find out about previous cohort members on their website.

🚚 VanFill
VanFill Ltd’s goal is to reduce transport costs, save time and cut carbon emissions through their mobile and web application, (two-sided marketplace). This will connect businesses and individuals looking to transport their goods with transport providers who have empty spaces in their vans and trucks. VanFill Ltd aims to help utilise the full range of infrastructure to improve the efficiency of goods transportation, consolidate deliveries and improve route planning, giving customers access to a variety of available transportation options. 🤝 Connect with VanFill Ltd here.

🚨EmergencyLocate
The EmergencyLocate platform provides solutions to emergency, search, and rescue functions by rapidly and accurately pinpointing exactly where assistance is needed using geospatial technology.

The platform includes a two-way fully translatable text messenger to help overcome any communication barriers and uses 3D satellite mapping to display the location of the person in need whilst also building a clear picture of the surroundings that leads to enhanced dispatch decision making. 🤝 Connect with EmergencyLocate here.

🏗️ EMCAI Solutions
EMCAI Solutions is an early-stage startup, which is creating software-based tools for the construction industry.

Construction projects often face delays and budget overruns due to inefficient tender evaluation and inaccurate cost estimation processes, impacting profitability and operational efficiency. The industry's use of AI is also hindered also by the lack of up-to-date and location-adjusted data.

EMCAI uses AI and machine learning in their primary products, which are being developed for construction cost planning. These will help to streamline the evaluation of tenders and improve the quality and speed of early-stage cost advice. 🤝Connect with EMCAI Solutions here.

🚂 Weavecentrix
Weavecentrix is looking to increase the number of functioning freight wagons available for transport through their innovative geospatial solution.

Weavecentrix solves this problem by providing rail freight operators with real time information about their wagons, using IoT (Internet of Things) devices, operational data and geospatial predictive modelling. This informs rail freight operators about wagon problems, before they impact safety and / or availability, allowing rail freight operators to make timely, actionable decisions and resulting in less wagon down time. 🤝Connect with Weavecentrix here.

👷Optab
Optab’s Software as a Service platform allows construction teams to track trends, monitor carbon, and assess costs proactively, providing clients with actionable insights to manage costs and decrease their carbon footprint. Through the Optab platform, construction teams can optimise every aspect of the supply chain process for better outcomes, cost efficiency, and greener implementation. 🤝Connect with Optab here.

🪑 WFHere
WFHere is creating a world where anyone can work anywhere and feel like they belong. It’s a marketplace connecting remote workers to businesses looking for footfall. WFHere aims to bridge the gap by establishing a nationwide network of work-friendly spots. Through WFHere, local businesses and owners of vacant space can connect with remote workers, boosting foot traffic while providing welcoming work environments beyond conventional options.

WFHere leverages geolocation technology to identify nearby work-friendly places and ‘off-grid’ options for remote workers. For businesses, WFHere serves as a powerful promotional platform and a new revenue stream. Local businesses can build a loyal customer base by tapping into the growing remote-working market. This innovative approach allows both users and businesses to find solutions that fit their needs without long-term commitments to renting office spaces or letting out vacant areas that might disrupt core operations. 🤝Connect with WFHere here.

🌟 Are you inspired? We’re inspired. What’s also great is that Geovation Scotland is not just an accelerator programme. Anyone innovating in property, land and location tech can join the community and gain access to tech expertise, partner hubs, mentoring, data and events! (Speaking of events, they have a Geospatial Entrepreneurs Breakfast on the 21^st August…)

If you want to learn more about the Geovation Scotland’s accelerator or community, you can reach out to the team and say hello.

Geovation Scotland is the only organisation specifically designed to support early stage startups innovating in land, property and location technologies in Scotland.

Follow Geovation Scotland for updates, and for more information about their accelerator programme here.

📅 Events

🔌 23/07, 12:00 🗺️ Kirkcaldy: Unplugged Kirkcaldy: This event aims to bring together entrepreneurs, techies, creatives, students, investors, and other regional stakeholders to network and share ideas. It is open to everyone. MORE INFO

📢 23/07, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Founders Live Edinburgh: For the first time ever in Scotland! Founders Live is an unforgettable competition sweeping the globe where five handpicked companies take the hot seat, with only 99 seconds to pitch their company and describe their value proposition in front of an eager audience. MORE INFO

🔗 24/07, 09:30 🗺️ Glasgow: Engaging in Lean: Join us and become a cultural enabler that delivers sustainable improvement through engagement, lean and supporting behaviours. MORE INFO

💬 24/07, 11:00 🗺️ Dundee: Barclays Eagle labs at MSIP July Drop-in Clinic 2024: Drop in and let’s have a chat about your business goals and ambitions here at Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc. MORE INFO

🔌 24/07, 12:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Presentation Club: Join us for a supportive and friendly afternoon of public speaking practice for people in the tech startup world. MORE INFO

🚀 24/07, 13:00 🗺️ Online Webinar: Global Expansion: Taking Your DeepTech Startup Beyond Borders: Join us for a free webinar featuring Garry Chan, Technology Entrepreneur and Advisor, Founder Services at ventureLAB, and Hanyin Chen, Founder and CEO of AskAFox as we delve into challenges and opportunities faced by foreign entrepreneurs seeking to launch and expand their ventures in Canada. MORE INFO

🚀 24/07, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: AI, Cryptocurrency and the Third Sector: Our fourth and final event in the series is a roundtable presenting the expectations and uses of cryptocurrency in the Third Sector. MORE INFO

🏖️ 25/07, 16:00 🗺️ Dumfries: South of Scotland Summer Social: We are excited to invite you to our first Summer Social in the South of Scotland, where innovation meets community! Whether you're a seasoned tech professional, a passionate hobbyist, or just curious about the tech world, this is the perfect opportunity to connect, share ideas, and have a great time, in a relaxed and informal setting. MORE INFO

👥 25/07, 17:00 🗺️ Stirling: The Social at CodeBase Stirling: Open to everyone, this is an in-person celebration to connect and catch up with the CodeBase and Central Scotland community. MORE INFO

🎯 25/07, 17:15 🗺️ Edinburgh: Barclays Eagle Labs and CodeBase monthly Quiz - Edinburgh (July): Join us for this month's pub quiz - bringing together the CodeBase and Edinburgh community for a bit of fun! MORE INFO

👾 25/07, 18:00 🗺️ Dundee: Cyber for Startups with Declan Doyle: Join us in the Abertay cyberQuarter or online via Zoom for a hybrid discussion with Declan Doyle of the Cyber and Fraud Centre about the importance of cybersecurity for startups and how to make it a primary concern from the very beginning of your business. MORE INFO

🎯 25/07, 18:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: ProductTank Edinburgh Social @ Beehive Inn: This event is an excellent opportunity for product enthusiasts, professionals, and those interested in the industry to connect with like-minded individuals in the vibrant product community. MORE INFO

🦅 30/07, 10:00 🗺️ Aberdeen: Eagle Has landed - Barclays Eagle labs July Drop in Clinic: Drop in and let’s have a chat about your business goals and ambitions here at One Tech Hub. MORE INFO

🍻 30/07, 18:00 🗺️ Dundee: Dundee Data Meetup: Welcome to the monthly recurring Dundee Data Meetup, a vibrant community-driven event that brings together curious learners, data enthusiasts and professionals to explore the captivating world of data and its applications. MORE INFO

🤳 31/07, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Edinburgh UX meetup: Edinburgh UX meetup invites UX people of all flavours to a monthly meeting of minds – a place to share ideas and indulge in idle banter. MORE INFO

📅 31/07, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Entrepreneurs Social Club (ESC) - Edinburgh Startup Meetup: The social club for founders and aspiring entrepreneurs - skip the talks, presentations and lectures - and go straight to networking! MORE INFO

👥 01/08, 19:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Tech Meetup Glasgow - August 2024: Join us at Civic House, Glasgow on the first Thursday of each month for our free event featuring two talks on tech with soft drinks and pizza. MORE INFO

🤝 06/08, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Tech Meetup Edinburgh - August 2024: The Tech Meetup is a monthly excuse for the tech community around Scotland to network, learn and share new ideas! MORE INFO

☕ Series: Unfiltered: An in-person and informal catch-up with the Codebase community! Come join us for a coffee!
⛾ 07/08, 08:30 🗺️ Aberdeen, MORE INFO
⛾ 07/08, 08:30 🗺️ Stirling, MORE INFO
⛾ 07/08, 08:30 🗺️ Inverness, MORE INFO
⛾ 07/08, 08:30 🗺️ Edinburgh, MORE INFO
⛾ 07/08, 08:30 🗺️ Glasgow, MORE INFO
⛾ 07/08, 08:30 🗺️ Dundee, MORE INFO

🛈 07/08, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Inclusive Innovation: Ensuring No one is Left Behind: This inspiring event will bring together women from different backgrounds to explore experiences of social innovation. MORE INFO

👨🏻‍🏫 13/08, 11:00 🗺️ Dundee: Dundee Presentation Club: Join us in the Abertay cyberQuarter for a chance to practice your pitches and public speaking in a friendly, supportive setting. MORE INFO

🎯 13/08, 13:00 🗺️ Stirling: Marketing Meetup with Scunnered Digital [Stirling]: Join us for a six-month event series dedicated to elevate your marketing skills, build connections and exchange ideas with fellow marketers. MORE INFO

🎯 Deadlines

📣 The Tech Trailblazers Awards are open for nominations The first independent global awards dedicated to enterprise tech startups, have opened nominations for their 13th edition. Covering 13 tech categories, along with Firestarter, Diversity, Investment, and individual CxO leadership categories, these awards recognise and celebrate cutting-edge enterprise tech innovation from young startups worldwide. Learn more here. (SS)

🇬🇧 Upcoming Innovate UK deadlines:

Innovate UK Smart grants: April 2024 Applications close 24 July
Europe Quantum Technology CR&D 2024 Applications close 28 August

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That’s all for this week - have a great one!

Team 🔥 Campfire

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