🦑 PlayerData & Holibob on Sifted 250, TechX Accelerator open (£50k each), new ScotGov focus on scaleups
Here's your Campfire for the 10th of November, 2025.
💼 Johnston Carmichael are a leading accountancy and business advisory firm, with offices throughout Scotland, in Newcastle and London. A partner owned firm for over 85 years, they have grown to offer core and specialist services to business of all sizes.
With specialist sector teams, they are fast becoming one of the most trusted advisers for entrepreneurs, founders and businesses that are successfully scaling.
Talk to the team today to discuss what growth stage your business is at.
🌊 Updates
🏴 Scotland’s Chief Entrepreneur Ana Stewart announced a new focus on supporting scaleups, including plans to launch Scotland’s “largest annual startup and scaleup survey”, introduce consistent performance reporting, and design “targeted support to help growing firms access talent, capital, and markets”. DGT
💪 Edinburgh-based PlayerData (sports performance data for professional sports teams) and Holibob (experience marketing for travel brands and travel agencies) were listed in the Sifted 250 list which measured European startups with the highest percentage revenue growth over the past three years. TS
💻 Aberdeen’s Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) is accepting applications for its TechX accelerator, offering £50,000 each to 10 early-stage energy startups in renewables, hydrogen, and decarbonisation. The 14-week programme provides “funding, mentorship, and investor access”. Apply by 5 January 2026. REM DGT
📣 Asks & Offers
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📅 Events
🧱 10/11, 17:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Blockchain Scotland Meetup: Monthly gathering at the Bayes Centre bringing together entrepreneurs, developers, and industry leaders to discuss blockchain innovation in Scotland. MORE INFO
💻 11/11, 18:00 🗺️ Dundee: DundeeScript Meetup Monthly meetup for developers in and around Dundee to connect, share ideas, and talk all things JavaScript and TypeScript. MORE INFO
🚀 12/11, 08:00, 🗺️ Glasgow: Founders Meetup Glasgow Join startup founders, investors, and entrepreneurs for a morning of fireside chats, networking, and community building with the UK Startup Hub. MORE INFO
📅 12/11, 10:00, 🗺️ Edinburgh: The Knowledge Room: A relaxed morning for freelancers and small business owners to share ideas, ask questions, and find the right support to help your business grow. MORE INFO
🔌 13/11, 18:00, 🗺️ Glasgow: Founders Unplugged: Burnout, Boundaries and Balance. This event brings together founders, investors, and leaders for an honest, practical discussion on how to stay focused, build resilience, and lead sustainably. MORE INFO
🛠️ 16/11, 10:00 🗺️ Dundee: Makers Gonna Make × State of the Map Europe Edition A full-day build sprint at the Flour Mill where developers, designers, and creators come together to focus, build, and ship projects alongside State of the Map Europe attendees. MORE INFO
💼 18/11, 09:30, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Small Business Workshop: Sustainability Join this high impact workshop where you’ll discover ways in which you can run a more resilient, sustainable, and profitable business. MORE INFO
🎓 18-19/11 🗺️ Aberdeen: From Hypothesis to Horizon: Shaping Scotland’s DeepTech Future Join Professor Mark Logan OBE FRSE, former Chief Entrepreneurial Adviser to the The Scottish Government and Professor of Technology Entrepreneurship at the University of Glasgow for an inspiring session on transforming cutting-edge research into global innovation.
👉 18/11, 14:00: RGU MORE INFO
👉 19/11, 11:00: University of Aberdeen MORE INFO
🚀 18/11, 18:00, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Founders Meetup Edinburgh Join startup founders, entrepreneurs, and investors for fireside chats, networking, and community building with the UK Startup Hub. MORE INFO
💼 18/11, 08:30, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Business Networking Event: E-commerce Customer Retention & Loyalty, bringing together startup founders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to connect and discuss marketing and advertising. MORE INFO
🎉 19/11, 17:30, 🗺️ Edinburgh: ProductTank Edinburgh: End of Year Retro and Celebration Join product managers, designers, and industry pros at Skyscanner HQ for an evening of reflection, networking, and celebration of another year of ProductTank meetups. MORE INFO
🍺 20/11, 19:15 🗺️ Edinburgh: People, Planet, Pint™ Sustainability Meetup: A relaxed evening for locals to connect, chat sustainability, and share ideas over a pint. MORE INFO
🌍 20/11, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: TravelTech Meetup (Evening Session) Hosted at CreateFuture, this relaxed networking night features a panel discussion, drinks, and conversations on the future of travel and tech. MORE INFO
💻 20/11, 09:00 🗺️ Online: Scale Your Service Business With Tech: A CodeBase workshop for service-based founders on using technology to grow and scale efficiently. MORE INFO
🖥️ 20/11, 09:00 🗺️ Perth: Perth Tech Mornings: Networking with the local tech and business community. MORE INFO
💡 20/11, 17:00, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Startup Huddle: Edinburgh connect with local entrepreneurs to network, exchange ideas, and share expertise at Bright Red Triangle’s Canalside Office. MORE INFO
🏢 20/11, 10:30 🗺️ Perth: Perth Coworking Day Join CodeBase for a free coworking day at with local tech and business community for a day of collaboration and connection. MORE INFO
💼 25/11, 17:00, 🗺️ Glasgow: Business Networking Event: E-commerce Customer Retention & Loyalty join startup founders and entrepreneurs in Merchant City for an informal evening of networking and discussion. MORE INFO
🧭 26/11, 10:00 🗺️ Online: Techscaler x ScotlandIS Webinar: Learn how early-stage Techscaler members can access ScotlandIS support, free for the first year. MORE INFO
🛡️ 26/11, 18:00, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Network One: Cybersecurity Startups & Professionals Meetup a relaxed evening at Cold Town House for cybersecurity pros, ethical hackers, and startup founders to connect and share insights. MORE INFO
☕ 26/11, 9:00, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Quarterly Networking Breakfast, connecting local founders and professionals over coffee, breakfast, and light networking activities. MORE INFO
💼 27/11, 10:30 🗺️ Glasgow: Co-Work Club Glasgow This coworking day invites remote workers to escape the home office and connect with others in a relaxed, social workspace. MORE INFO
🤖 27/11, 09:30, 🗺️ Glasgow: AI Breakfast Club: Deep Tech from an Investor’s Perspective Explore how investors evaluate deep tech startups and connect with leaders from Glasgow’s AI and tech ecosystem. MORE INFO
🌍 27/11, 17:30, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Traveltech Meetup This month’s session brings together travel, tech, and innovation professionals for an evening of inspiration, conversation, and networking. MORE INFO
🏢 27/11, 09:45 🗺️ Edinburgh: Scottish EDGE Round 26 Live Final: Round 26 of the UK’s BIGGEST small business funding competition will take place on 27th November at RBS Conference Centre with the latest batch of finalists pitching for up to £150,000 in funding. The event will feature two simultaneous pitching sessions, an exhibitor and networking atrium, 1:1 advice sessions, and keynote talks. MORE INFO
☕ 28/11, 7:00 🗺️ Dundee: Coffee Morning @ Flour Mill A casual networking event by Dundee Founders Collective. Share blockers, swap advice, and connect over free coffee from Flour Mill. MORE INFO
☕ 28/11, 9:00, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Founder Friday Coworking This all-day coworking session brings founders together for focused work, coffee, and conversation. MORE INFO
🏢 28/11, 8:30, 🗺️ Edinburgh: Coworking Open Day Drop in anytime for a free day of coworking, tours, and community connection in their shared workspace. MORE INFO
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That’s all for this week - have a great one!
Team 🔥 Campfire