Glasgow bids to become IoT leader with new hub launch

A new partnership between the UK government, Glasgow City Council and the Smart Things Accelerator Centre (STAC) aims to turn Glasgow into Europe’s largest Internet of Things (IoT) innovation hub.

The partnership will centre around a £2.5 million investment from both the public and private sectors into a 250-desk facility named ‘thebeyond’ at SkyPark, Finnieston in Glasgow. This includes £257,000 of grant funding through the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

A statement from Glasgow City Council said: “The partnership believes Glasgow can become a frontrunner in the predominant technologies over the next decades spanning drones, robots, AI, IoT, nanotech, medtech and cleantech, revolutionising industries while yielding substantial economic, social and environmental impact.”

Focus areas will include industrial, lifestyle, health and sustainability technologies, with the goal of having 100 companies up and running by the end of 2024.

Through the partnership, Glasgow City Council will become a testbed for homegrown innovations via STAC.

‘Era of Things’

Paul Wilson, CEO and co-founder of STAC, which was launched in 2021, said: “Glasgow can be a powerhouse in the key technologies that will enhance life and industry for the next decades. We believe thebeyond will be Europe’s largest smart things and IoT space.”

“Glasgow has all the elements – talent, innovation, and a collaborative spirit – needed to lead in what is known as the ‘Era of Things’,” he added. “We believe we are on the cusp of something extraordinary. From thebeyond tech companies will develop tomorrow’s technologies to compete in global markets.”

Councillor Ricky Bell, Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, commented: “This collaboration will help Glasgow become a leading technology-driven city, with our services and buildings powered by homegrown innovation to the benefit of everyone who lives, works and studies here.

“We will empower Glasgow’s start-ups to hone their technologies here and then compete internationally, enhancing our position on the global tech stage and bringing a great number of new jobs and careers in this sector.”