ScotlandIS, the premier membership and cluster management organisation for Scotland’s digital technologies industry, has officially launched its 16th annual industry survey. The organisation is inviting responses from the Scottish tech sector before January 25, 2024, to contribute to the benchmarking report due for publication in March 2024.
The annual survey serves as a crucial health check for the tech industry, offering a benchmark for comparing sector successes and challenges. It allows both ScotlandIS members and non-members to shed light on anticipated future issues affecting the industry.
Key findings from the 2023 survey included:
- 83% of companies surveyed expected to increase their headcounts between 2023-24.
- The proportion of businesses recording turnover higher than £1 million increased from 22% in 2022 to 37% in 2023.
- Cybersecurity (46%), data analytics (45%), and artificial intelligence (43%) were identified as the areas with the greatest opportunities for Scottish tech companies.
Originally launched in 2008, the report aimed to fill a gap by providing comprehensive figures related to the overall health, growth, and development of the Scottish tech industry. Over the years, both the report and the sector have witnessed significant growth, with the 2023 version valuing the Scottish digital sector’s economic contribution at £6 billion.
The results from this year’s survey will contribute to the 2024 industry survey report, providing insights into the health of the sector and the challenges facing Scottish tech firms. Last year, representatives from over 150 organisations contributed to the report.
Karen Meechan, CEO of ScotlandIS, emphasised the importance of understanding the industry’s mood, challenges, and opportunities. She highlighted that despite significant challenges over the past year, the tech sector has shown resilience, with positive feedback and success stories.
The survey is a critical benchmarking tool that helps ScotlandIS assess the industry’s progress, identify challenges, and determine areas where additional support is needed. Karen Meechan also shared insights from the organisation’s recent visit to Bahrain, where they attended the Arab International Cyber Conference, emphasising the opportunities in the Middle East for Scottish tech firms.
The survey is available to complete here.
