Johnston Carmichael has announced a new strategic partnership with the Smart Things Accelerator Centre (STAC).
Based in Glasgow, STAC is Scotland’s industry-led accelerator for product-focused tech start-ups, delivering an 18-month programme that combines mentorship, investment readiness and access to specialist facilities.
The accelerator focuses on scaling globally competitive businesses across areas such as IoT, robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced materials.
Under the partnership, Johnston Carmichael will provide support to the 35 businesses currently enrolled in STAC’s programme.
This will include finance, tax and fundraising expertise to help founders navigate complex growth challenges, alongside one-to-one mentoring and specialist workshops covering topics such as investor tax reliefs and Enterprise Management Incentives.
Participating companies will also gain access to Johnston Carmichael’s technology specialists, including partner Neil Wilson, who works extensively with high-growth businesses, and Stephen Oates, partner and head of entrepreneurial taxes.
Calum Purdie, head of technology and life sciences at Johnston Carmichael, said the partnership builds on the firm’s growing role within Scotland’s tech ecosystem. He said sharing expertise in finance, tax and growth strategies would help empower businesses to scale successfully and enhance Scotland’s reputation as a technology hub.
To date, STAC has supported almost 90 early-stage companies. These include Nooku, a business developing smart indoor air quality monitors, which has since secured commercial collaborations with Dulux and social landlord Wheatley Homes, supported in part by Innovate UK.
Stefan Raue, COO and co-founder of Nooku, said access to Johnston Carmichael’s expertise and network would be a significant benefit for founders taking part in the programme, highlighting the importance of practical support and the right partnerships in building sustainable businesses.
Of the 35 companies currently on the programme, 15 are spinouts from the University of Glasgow’s Infinity G initiative, several originate from the University of Strathclyde, with the remainder founded independently.
Paul Wilson, chief executive and co-founder of STAC, said the collaboration would help accelerate its ambition to build a centre of excellence for smart and connected technologies in Scotland by giving founders access to critical financial and strategic expertise.
Source: Insider Media