EIT Digital’s Scottish presence is based at the Bayes Centre in Edinburgh and has a full pan-Scotland remit. The Scotland office is led by Dr Martin Beaton, previously lead of the cyber security cluster.

Morgan Gillis, EIT Digital’s UK director, said: “We are very pleased with the initial engagement of Scotland’s digital economy with EIT Digital’s programs which has brought fresh financial investment into Scotland from the EU and facilitated new lines of commercial collaboration between Scottish entities and European counterparts.”

New doctoral programs have been established at the University of Edinburgh with the aim of creating over 40 PhDs co-sponsored by EIT Digital and industry partners.

Negotiations are underway with other institutions across Scotland to launch further doctoral programs within domains of national strategic importance.

Innovation Minister Ivan McKee said: “Our vision is of a Scotland where innovation is an intrinsic part of our culture, society and economy and I am delighted that EIT Digital supports these aims. It aligns business and academia to raise the profile of our digital assets across Europe, helping to attract both inward talent and investment while connecting Scotland’s businesses to experts and potential partners.

“This is how Scotland will succeed, by having the public and private sector collaborating, pooling ideas to work towards a common goal of success, and continuing to connect with our European partners.”

EIT Digital, an independent organisation supported by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology, part of the European Union, has said its intends to rapidly expand its participation in the Scottish digital economy in 2020 and welcomes participation from companies of all sizes and universities across Scotland.