Tech Ecosystem Meetup Subsidy
Since 2023, Glasgow City Council has established several Tech Ecosystem subsidies to help stimulate and increase tech ecosystem "market square" activity in the city, based on a number of key recommendations on how to develop a world-class tech sector in line with both the Scottish Tech Ecosystem Review (STER) and Digital Glasgow Strategy.
The Tech Ecosystem Meetup Subsidy is specifically designed to support regular tech community meetups in the City. Those who are organising events can apply for core funding required to host a tech-related event such as catering and venue hire. This should be used to support market square activity including tech meetups, founder events and hackathons at suitable locations.
This fund is directly aimed at encouraging regular connections and attendance at tech gatherings to support activity around Glasgow's tech ecosystem (either cluster/sector or aspect-related) and is open to both organisation and tech community-led organiser directly responsible for event organisation within the city.
The maximum amount that can be claimed is £1000 in arrears.
Priority will be given to proposals that fill gaps in current market square activity or unable to be established without some element of public sector support to initiate.
All proposed activity must be delivered, and all Project costs incurred by 31st March 2026. This is a hard deadline, and as well as based on quality, Projects will be assessed for feasibility of delivery within this timescale including the securing of a suitable venue.
Eligibility
Eligible: You must be able to meet the following criteria:
- Applicant must be actively engaged in Scotland's "Technology Ecosystem" (see STER definition), e.g. working within a tech SME or providing support to others in the ecosystem - evidence should be provided.
- Provide evidence of the event/activity, eg event invitation.
- Proof of purchase (e.g. receipts, bank statement) from a company bank account.
- The event must take place within Glasgow City boundary (Postcode checker https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council )
- Businesses should not have exceeded the Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) threshold of £315,000 over the current and past 2 financial years.
Not Eligible (Companies):
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Applicants who are undischarged bankrupts, subject to insolvency proceedings or an individual who has entered into an arrangement with his/her creditors (including a trust deed).
- Businesses or organisations who are in arrears of Non-Domestic Rates (NDR).
Not Eligible (Items):
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Contribution towards speaker fees
- Purchase of equipment (a contribution can be made towards hiring costs)
- Premium/high value catering items (any claims for alcoholic drinks should be for reasonably priced beer or wine equivalents based on anticipated numbers)
- Sundry one-off expenses, e.g. office supplies, cabling, parking tickets, etc.
Application Process
Eligible businesses must complete the online form, including:
- A detailed outline of the event and how this relates to building the tech ecosystem/contributing to market square activity.
- A stipulation whether funding is sought for an individual event or series of events (note: if a series of events are planned then please send as one single application to cover this including detail of series of events rather than multiple applications for each instance)
- A detailed outline of what funding will be used for e.g. food/drink for xx attendees.
- A breakdown of all relevant costs in hosting your event
- Applications for support must be submitted no later than 4 weeks prior to your event taking place.
- Claims must be made within 4 weeks of meetup taking place
Please email your completed form to: BusinessGrowth@glasgow.gov.uk.
Conditions of support
- The grant will be paid in arrears to successful applicants.
- The applicant should complete a summary report following the event covering number of attendees, what the funding helped enable, any participant feedback, other ecosystem support activity undertaken, etc.
Branding Requirements
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Successful applicants should follow UK Shared Prosperity Fund branding and publicity requirements - click here for details. Physical and digital branding for the event(s) and relevant comms should acknowledge and incorporate both UK SPF and Glasgow City Council branding as key sponsors. Click here for details on GCC logo + guideline use.
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This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Successful applicants should follow UK Shared Prosperity Fund branding and publicity requirements. Please click here for details.
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