Aveni launch, POTR raise, Scottish EDGE, EIE, TSB Innovation Labs, Glasgow Tech Week
Here's your Campfire for the 26th of May, 2025.
💼 This issue of Campfire is sponsored by Shepherd and Wedderburn's initiative to supercharge start-ups and scale-ups. Be sure to follow the Start to Scale LinkedIn page for useful videos and posts designed to help founders.
🌊 Updates
🌟 Edinburgh-based fintech Aveni launched FinLLM, an AI model built for UK financial services with strong compliance and safety. Backed by Lloyds and Nationwide, it outperforms general models on finance tasks and will power automation in Aveni’s products. DGT
🌱 Glasgow-based company POTR has raised $670,000 from JARS Capital to grow its self-watering plant pot business. The investment followed interest sparked at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show, where the product also won Sustainable Product of the Year, endorsed by Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden. IN
✈️ According to a new Dealroom report, Scotland is emerging as a “traveltech hub”, with “over 100 traveltech startups” now active. The UK ranks third globally for traveltech investment, raising $1.6 billion since 2020, including a record $518 million in 2024 driven by AI innovation. The report also underscores the need for more support for female-founded startups, which received just 6% of European traveltech VC funding from 2022–2025. FS
🚀 Three fintech startups—Sikoia, Credit Canary, and Aperidata—have been named winners of the 2024 TSB Innovation Labs, a partnership with FinTech Scotland focused on Open Banking. The firms will work with TSB to develop solutions that simplify finance applications, improve credit decisioning with real-time data, and speed up borrowing processes. DGT
🎯 Scottish business investment jumped 108% in Q1 2025 to £211 million across 99 deals, despite a 6% drop in deal numbers, says Beauhurst. Funding is more varied than the UK overall, with strong growth in electronics hardware and renewable energy. Venture-stage deals dominate, showing confidence in mature firms. However, the share of funding for all-female founding teams fell to 3.7%, worsening Scotland’s gender funding gap amid rising investment. DGT
🏆 The 25th round of Scottish EDGE awards in Glasgow saw 35 startups share £1.5 million in loans and grants. Key winners included Vanilla Farms, which received £150,000 through the new Missions EDGE category, and Ardent Training, awarded £100,000 in the Scale EDGE category. Other notable winners were Goat Rodeo Goods (£70,000 plus £75,000 in ad airtime), Green Crop Tech (£70,000), New Found Hope (£100,000 in Circular Economy EDGE), and Narture CIC (£75,000 in Social Enterprise). Full list here (IN). DGT
🍀 US green aircraft engine maker ZeroAvia will open a Hydrogen Centre of Excellence based in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS) in Renfrewshire, creating 350 jobs. Supported by Scottish Enterprise and Scottish National Investment Bank funding, the centre will produce hydrogen fuel cell systems for eco-friendly aircraft, aiming to launch a 20-seat engine by 2026 and start operations by 2028. DGT
💡 At EIE25 in Edinburgh this year, over 40 companies pitched to investors, including Scottish firms like Glasgow-based Skyrora (private space company), Edinburgh-based pureLiFi (telecommunications equipment supplier), and Sofant Technologies (satellite communication service). INM
📣 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.
⚙️ Registers of Scotland is hiring a Startup Community Engagement Manager (Grade: Higher Executive Officer) for Geovation Scotland, with a £38,114–£43,364 salary, generous 28.97% pension, and up to 42 days annual leave. The permanent hybrid role is based in Edinburgh or Glasgow, supporting tech startups and managing community engagement, events, and partnerships in the Scottish innovation ecosystem. More info here.
🖥️ Geovation Scotland is hiring a Programme & Delivery Lead (maternity cover, 12–15 months) to run its startup accelerator supporting land, property, and geotech startups. Based in Edinburgh or Glasgow (hybrid), £46.6k–£55k + excellent pension and 38 days leave. Apply by 1 June 2025. More info here.
💼 Work with TopHatch: Senior Frontend Engineer (Remote, UK/Finland) Looking for a place where you can bring your whole self to work and make a real impact? TopHatch, a remote-first company behind the award-winning app Concepts, is hiring a Senior Frontend Engineer (Contract, £60–£70/hr) based in the UK or Finland to work with modern web technologies in a supportive, people-first environment. Apply here.
✈️ TravelPerk, a hyper-growth SaaS company revolutionising business travel, is hiring a Senior Software Engineer in Edinburgh. You'll work with modern tech (Python/Django, React), shape product architecture, and join a fast-paced, award-winning team trusted by brands like Wise and Red Bull. Apply here.
💻 Looking for an early-stage fractional CTO? Carlos Fontana is an Edinburgh-based experienced tech leader with over a decade of success guiding teams and defining architecture. He is the kind of technical leader who thrives where vision meets execution. He specialises in defining architecture from the ground up, building systems that are both scalable and secure, and organising technical priorities that set teams up for long-term success. If you’re looking for technical leadership support, connect and reach out to Carlos—let’s build something that matters.
👭 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!
📅 Events
🚀 26/05, 18:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Kicking off Glasgow Tech Week: From Scotland to the World. Scotland’s tech ecosystem is thriving, and the world is watching. Join us for a fun summer evening with Startup Grind Glasgow full of inspiring conversations, valuable connections, and insights on taking your startup from Scotland to the world. RSVP here
🤝 26/05, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Startup Founders Meetup - May 2025: Tactical fireside chats with experienced entrepreneurs and speed networking with other founders, potential cofounders, and investors! MORE INFO
🍃 27/05, 09:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Edinburgh Greentech Meetup: Transforming Battery Waste into Opportunity: Join our monthly meetup with Dr. Leonardo Binetti from AraBat on Battery Recycling Innovation. MORE INFO
💻 27/05, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Co-Work Club Edinburgh: Tired of the home office grind but not ready for the daily commute? Say goodbye to crowded coffee shops and the endless search for a quiet Zoom spot. We've got the solution: Welcome to Co-Work Club @ Kimpton Hotel, Edinburgh. MORE INFO
📌 28/05, 08:30 🗺️ Glasgow: Building a winning team: How can your tech company recruit and retain the right people?: Join Shepherd and Wedderburn’s legal experts as they answer that question and more, before considering industry success stories with guest panellist, Anne-Sofie Lagander. MORE INFO
⚡ 28/05, 09:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Smarter Scaling in Stormy Times: How to Leverage C-Suite as a Service (C-SaaS): Understand the power that C-Suite as a Service can play in helping you to grow your business. MORE INFO
🚀 28/05, 10:00 🗺️ Glasgow: The Future of PropTech in Scotland Chapter 3 | Speed Networking: Geovation Scotland, BE-ST, Scottish Development International and The Data Lab have teamed up to host a networking event with a twist! MORE INFO
💸 28/05, 12:00 🗺️ Online: Pre-seed Funding Masterclass: Raising from Angels: Join us for a practical, founder-focused Pre-Seed Funding Masterclass, where we’ll demystify the early-stage investment process. MORE INFO
🏢 28/05, 14:30 🗺️ Glasgow: Investor/IP Office hours with British Business Bank, Lawrie IP for GTW: Are you Scaling? Have a Burning question for an Investor or about your IP? If so then this is your opportunity you've been waiting for! MORE INFO
🎪 29/05, 09:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Fusion Fest: Attendees of Fusion Fest will have the opportunity to network with colleagues and peers in a conference designed for actionable learnings at the same time showcasing talent and expertise in Glasgow. MORE INFO
📍 29/05, 17:00–22:30 🗺️ Glasgow: TecTonic Night Summit at Barras Art & Design: An immersive evening of curiosity, connectivity, and community. Join 400+ founders, creatives, tech professionals, and ecosystem builders for exhibitions, innovation showcases, mentorship sessions, and more as part of Glasgow Tech Week. MORE INFO
🤝 30/05, 09:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Founder Friday Coworking: Join us for a day of networking and inspiration! this is your chance to connect with fellow founders, share ideas, and maybe even spark your next big project. MORE INFO
💻 03/06, 09:30 🗺️ Glasgow: Female Founders Co-Working Club - June: Stay inspired, motivated and connected throughout 2025 with the Female Founder Co-Working Club at Glasgow Eagle Labs! MORE INFO
🌐 03/06, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Tech Meetup Edinburgh - June 2025: The Tech Meetup is a monthly excuse for the tech community around Scotland to network, learn and share new ideas! Enjoy informative tech presentations from your peers, hear about exciting community projects and create new connections. MORE INFO
☕ Series: Unfiltered: An in-person, informal catch-up with the Scottish tech community! Come join us for a coffee!
⛾ 04/06, 08:30 🗺️ Inverness, MORE INFO
⛾ 04/06, 08:30 🗺️ Stirling, MORE INFO
⛾ 04/06, 08:30 🗺️ Glasgow, MORE INFO
⛾ 04/06, 08:30 🗺️ Aberdeen, MORE INFO
⛾ 04/06, 08:30 🗺️ Edinburgh, MORE INFO
🚀 04/06, 10:00 🗺️ Glasgow: The AI-Powered Business: How Businesses Can 10x Their Productivity: Join this event and discover how you can use AI tools to boost your productivity. MORE INFO
🎯 05/06, 08:30 🗺️ Glasgow: DIGIT Expo West 2025 - Glasgow: DIGIT Expo West hosts 1300+ attendees, 50+ speakers and 40+ exhibitors. Experience five stages of tech talks on Cyber Security, Data, AI, ML, Analytics, Cloud Services, Networks, Connectivity and much more. Explore Scotland’s biggest tech exhibition to get up close with the new disruptive products and services that are shaping future businesses. MORE INFO
🌍 05/06, 09:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Global Insights: Consumer Industries Exporters: Join Scottish Development International at this exporting event, where you can connect with trade advisors and market specialists. MORE INFO
🤝 05/06, 18:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Tech Meetup Glasgow - June 2025 - CreateFuture Take Over!: Join us at Civic House, Glasgow for our free event featuring two talks on tech with soft drinks and pizza. MORE INFO
🍺 05/06, 18:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Glasgow - Small99's People, Planet, Pint™: Sustainability Meetup: Pop down to your local People Planet Pint meetup to find more about what's going on locally with sustainability and how you can get involved. MORE INFO
🤖 06/06, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Unleash the Power of ChatGPT & AI to Drive International Business Growth: Join this interactive event and develop your understanding of AI and its business applications. MORE INFO
💪 10/06, 09:30 🗺️ Online: Unlock the Power of Fair Working Practices: Join us for an engaging and transformative interactive workshop that celebrates fair working practices and empowers organisations to create. MORE INFO
💼 10/06, 09:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: From Risk to Resilience: The Critical Role of Testing & QA in Startups: Join us for a session with Nadia McKay, nexa IQ, who will demystify testing for those working in startups and scaleups. MORE INFO
🔋 10/06, 13:30 🗺️ Duns: Developing a Community Energy Project: Join South of Scotland Enterprise, Local Energy Scotland & Communities about net-zero, renewables & clean heat opportunities. MORE INFO
🚀 12/06, 10:00 🗺️ Dumfries: The Next Big Leap: Scaling Women-Led Enterprises - Dumfries: Women in business: scale with strategy, not burnout. A power-packed morning of growth tools, talks & networking. MORE INFO
🚀 16/06, 10:00 🗺️ Galashiels: The Next Big Leap: Scaling Women-Led Enterprises - Galashiels: Women in business: scale with strategy, not burnout. A power-packed morning of growth tools, talks & networking. MORE INFO
🎤 18/06, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: TestTalks: Edinburgh - Career Development: Join us at TestTalks: Edinburgh for a career themed event: career stories, advice, CV workshop. MORE INFO
⚡ 19/06, 14:30 🗺️ Douglas: Developing a Community Energy Project: Join South of Scotland Enterprise and communities to hear about net-zero, renewables & clean heat opportunities. MORE INFO
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That’s all for this week - have a great one!
Team 🔥 Campfire