Events

Unlock new markets, build your network and gain the skills to accelerate your business growth.

International Trade Week (ITW) 2026 (09-13 November) brings together everything a business needs to take the next step in their export journey.  Led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) and sponsored by Santander UK, the week is packed with expert-led events, practical support and valuable networking opportunities designed to help UK businesses succeed globally.

Explore the programme with a mix of online and in-person events throughout the week and find the right opportunities for your business.

Meet the Investors is a series of events helping UK tech SMEs navigate scale-up finance. Each event connects SMEs with investors and experts to share insights, funding tips, and networking opportunities.

Small businesses are crucial to the UK economy, yet many faces significant challenges in accessing the finance they need to grow. techUK’s Meet the Investors event aims to tackle this issue head on.

Taking place in central Edinburgh, you will have the opportunity to hear from leading funders who work across the UK, providing you with the opportunity to engage directly and ask them questions. The event will include keynote addresses and a panel discussion, with plenty of time for networking.

• Hear about current investment trends and future opportunities
• Learn what investors are looking for when they are approached by businesses seeking investment
• Get practical tips on securing investment
• Make valuable connections with peers and investors during the networking session

This event is ideal for small business actively seeking investment. Whether you’re new to fundraising or preparing for your next round, come along to hear directly from investors about the finance ecosystem in Edinburgh and how to position your business for success.

• A keynote from Amanda Sleight of Microsoft on building trusted foundations for AI agents
• A fireside chat looking at one of the UK’s most complex public-sector identity estates
• A live technical demonstration spanning personal, team, organisation, Foundry and third-party agents
• An interactive Governed AI Opportunity Canvas workshop
• Practical guidance to help identify the controls, priorities and investment needed to scale AI responsibly

The Abercromby Group: Security conversations without the conference

This autumn sees the first gathering of the Abercromby Group, a new series of security networking evenings in Edinburgh designed to bring Scotland’s security community together across the boundaries that often keep us apart.

Hosted at the Royal Scots Club and supported by CIISec, the evening will bring together security leaders and practitioners, public sector colleagues, academics, researchers, students and those earlier in their careers.

There are no exhibition stands, no sales pitches and no long agendas. Instead, expect two short contributions to get the conversation started, followed by plenty of time to meet people, exchange ideas and make connections.

Whether you are a CISO, researcher, student, civil servant, practitioner or simply looking to become more connected with Scotland’s security community, you are very welcome.

Come along to the first Abercromby Group evening and help shape the community from the start.

Draft agenda
Full timings and speaker details will be confirmed closer to the event.

• Doors open – Welcome drink (further refreshments at your own cost)
• Welcome – Introducing the Abercromby Group and what we hope to achieve
• Security & threat update – A short perspective with Scottish or sector relevance
• Guest speaker – A conversation-provoking contribution
• Networking – Plenty of time for discussion and new connections
• Close – At the published finish time

R&D tax credits are designed to support innovation, but many Scottish technology companies are facing growing uncertainty around eligibility, evidence, compliance and HMRC enquiries.

This roundtable will bring together ScotlandIS members to share practical experiences, identify common challenges and explore how the system could work more effectively for innovative companies.

The discussion will help ScotlandIS develop an evidence base to support future engagement with government and HMRC, ensuring the voice of Scotland’s tech sector is clearly represented.

This is an interactive session so that you can provide your feedback. We would encourage you to join with your camera and mic on.

Save the date! The CloudStack Collaboration Conference 2026 is heading to Edinburgh, Scotland!

Join us from November 18–20 at the John McIntyre Conference Centre for three days of collaboration, innovation, and in-depth sessions and discussions around Apache CloudStack.

Whether you’re a developer, user, or a CloudStack advocate, this is your chance to connect with the global CloudStack community.

Hackathon Day – November 18th

Kickstarting the event is the Hackathon Day. Developers, engineers, and project committers will come together to drive innovation, address practical challenges, and advance the capabilities of the CloudStack ecosystem.

Technical Sessions and Panels – November 19th and 20th

The excitement continues over the following two days with a jam-packed schedule of technical sessions, thought-provoking talks, and engaging panel discussions. Dive deep into the latest advancements, exchange best practices, and explore emerging trends shaping the world of cloud infrastructure and beyond.

ScotlandIS members receive an exclusive discount code for free tickets: CCC-ScotlandIS-d4Rf

Get direct answers from an expert panel and hear first-hand from Scottish companies already succeeding across the Atlantic. You will gain practical insights into regional opportunities, legal and financial considerations, and the support available to help you enter, grow and develop your business in the USA.

The USA is Scotland’s leading international trading partner, receiving around 17.1% of Scottish exports worth £5.5 billion. For ambitious businesses, it represents a substantial and diverse market with significant potential for growth.

This Scottish North American Business Council event offers a focused, practical introduction to identifying opportunities and navigating those differences.

By the end of the masterclass, you will have a clearer understanding of the support available and the practical steps your business can take towards trading with or establishing a presence in the USA.

This event is designed for businesspeople who are actively considering exporting to or establishing a presence in the USA. To give as many companies as possible the opportunity to attend, places are limited to two delegates per business

Join us for the Scottish Testing Group – Autumn Meet-up 2026 at CodeBase on November 25, 2026 at 1:00 PM (GMT).

This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to hear from top industry experts and connect with fellow professionals from the world of testing and quality engineering.

Mark your calendar and get ready for an engaging experience of networking and knowledge sharing in the heart of Scotland’s tech community!