Welcome to CivTech 6!

We’re launching our sixth programme in continued, unprecedented circumstances. And more than ever, CivTech has a pivotal role to play in building Scotland's future.

This year’s Challenges are intimately connected to that future. Some are quite specific and immediate, others are nothing short of an invitation to reinvent how we do things. They’re all part of the Scottish Government's determination to build our nation, and to drive it forward.

Innovation — creating ever better products and services — is at the heart of this. And this leads to economic opportunity. CivTech has clear, compelling evidence that it’s delivering on both these things — with huge benefits delivered to public sector organisations, and a really high success rate for the companies involved.

Put those two things together and you have something compelling. An opportunity for all parts of society to work together to build the kind of world we want. For public services to become better and more efficient. For people to solve problems and build a business.

And this year, more than ever, we want to encourage the widest range of applicants and applications possible. Because it’s in the diversity of teams and solutions that we’ll develop really compelling propositions. The application process is a friendly one and you don’t need to be a company to apply.

You don’t have to be someone from a technical background, or an experienced business person, or an academic to come up with a brilliant solution to our Challenges. All you need is a great idea, and a determination to see it develop — we’ll help you do the rest.

This is about innovation for good, for everyone.

Please take a look at our latest set of Challenges. If you find one or more you’re interested in applying for you can see the CivTech 6 timeline below and find out about the application process here.

If the CivTech 6 Challenges aren’t quite right for you, don’t let us drop off your radar. We’re planning to launch a number of additional ‘Sprint’ Challenges later in the year across an exciting range of areas — follow us on Twitter for the latest news.

Exploration Stage interviews

Shortlisted applicants are invited for a short interview, following which up to three teams per Challenge will be selected and taken forward to the Exploration Stage.

Exploration Stage

Selected teams spend three weeks working with their Challenge Sponsors, the CivTech team and other stakeholders to develop and refine their proposals.