The North East has always been a place where industry meets imagination. From the world-class engineering that powered the energy sector to the digital technologies emerging today, this region excels when solving tough, real-world challenges. And right now, that spirit is driving one of the most exciting economic transformations anywhere in the UK, writes Jennifer Craw MBE, CEO of Opportunity North East, in today's edition of The Sunday Times Scotland.
Over recent years, Aberdeen has built one of the country’s fastest-growing tech clusters – more than 300 companies, nearly 5,000 skilled people, and thousands more high-value jobs on the way. But what truly sets this region apart isn’t just the scale of the opportunity – it’s the ambition and collaboration behind it.
At Opportunity North East (ONE), our mission is simple: help founders start, scale and succeed here. Through ONE Tech Hub and partnerships with CodeBase, Barclays Eagle Labs, Scottish Enterprise and global networks like MIT, we’ve created an entrepreneurial community that is confident, connected and competitive.
Our investment of more than £6 million in digital tech since 2017 is delivering measurable impact. Over 90% of the founders we support report increased ambition and confidence. Most have launched new products, created jobs, entered new markets and strengthened their leadership teams. Crucially, 79% tell us they are more likely to stay and grow here because of the support and ecosystem around them.
The Future of Digital Tech Summit brought this momentum vividly to life. EnergyTech, RegTech, agri-tech, food-tech and health-tech innovators showed how the North East is developing advanced solutions and exporting them globally. From AI systems that predict industrial failures before they happen to digital tools transforming manufacturing and healthcare, this is innovation with purpose.
The North East’s next chapter is more than just adapting to change – it’s about shaping it. And the work happening here today is already putting our region on the map as a leading UK hub for digital innovation, scale-ups and global ambition.
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Opportunity North East Ltd
11 Queens Gardens
Aberdeen
AB15 4YD