Up to £20m for Tay Cities tech and games sector
UK government invests in local talent and creative technologies such as computer games and VR.
The UK government has announced that the Tay Cities region in Scotland is due to receive up to £20m to boost its creative technologies sector, encouraging local innovators. The money will come from the wider £500m Local Innovation Partnerships Fund operated by UK Research and Investment (UKRI).
The Tay Cities region, which includes Angus, Dundee, Fife, and Perth and Kinross, already has a thriving sector, specialising in computer games and immersive VR. Dundee’s creative and digital industries alone generated £353m in turnover in 2022.
The UKRI funding aims to support partnerships between local government, business and research organisations. In this case, Abertay University will lead the partnership, bringing its world-leading expertise in games, virtual production and emerging technologies. Industry support from 4J Studios, UK Games Talent and Finance and CodeBase will provide access to growth support and investor networks. Other partners include Creative Scotland, the University of Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, and V&A Dundee.
The aim is to fast-track ideas from prototype to market, back collaborative research and development (R&D), attract expert talent and open up clean routes to further investment.
Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, says: ‘This is an investment in the skills and talent which have turned the Tay Cities region into one of the UK’s most vibrant tech sectors. The region’s incredible creative industries are already leading the way when it comes to games development and breakthroughs in virtual reality.
‘This funding will help take that expertise to the next level, helping to create jobs and growth in Dundee, Perth and beyond. By working with local leaders, researchers, and businesses, we can unleash transformational research and products that improve lives.’
Kirsty McNeill MP, the UK government’s Minister for Scotland, adds: ‘Dundee’s video games legacy is iconic and this investment will leverage that unique industrial strength to drive breakthroughs in non-entertainment sectors like healthcare, energy, and education. It is a hugely exciting opportunity for all of Scotland.
‘I am delighted that the Tay Cities region has been successful in securing funding, which will help the region unlock its full innovation potential. The UK government is completely focused on driving economic growth, creating jobs and improving lives across Scotland.’
Image: Glenn Carstens-Peters/Unsplash
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