Scotland’s Critical Technologies Supercluster is a partnership between Technology Scotland, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde. The mission is to exploit Scotland’s existing strengths and synergies across critical technologies to achieve £10 billion turnover by 2035, creating in over 6,000 additional high-quality jobs.
The supercluster represents an aggregation of four critical technologies: photonics, quantum, semiconductors and sensing & connectivity. These technologies are all connected through a shared ecosystem.
These sectors form a single, interconnected critical-technology pipeline rather than separate industries. Photonics and semiconductor manufacturing underpin key hardware used in sensing, imaging and quantum systems, while national centres link companies and universities across these fields. This means the same supply chains, skills and R&D infrastructure support multiple advanced-technology applications.
We look forward to working with partners across the initiative and wider industry to strengthen Scotland’s global reputation and attract investment, talent and new commercial opportunities.
Alastair McInory, Chief Executive Officer at Technology Scotland
As a result, Scotland is cultivating an integrated ecosystem where semiconductors enable photonic devices, which in turn power sensing and imaging platforms and emerging quantum technologies. This stacked value chain strengthens innovation, accelerates commercialisation and positions Scotland as a coordinated hub for high-value, cross-cutting critical technologies.
The Supercluster has been set up to provide a focal point and coordinating force, supporting the innovation and growth ambitions of all cluster participants. It aims to raise the profile of important technologies to UK stakeholders and influence policy and funding opportunities at Scottish and UK Government levels. Collectively, this concentration of capability represents a depth and breadth of expertise that is unmatched elsewhere in the UK, developing a robust value proposition to attract both international investment and talent and to support the sector to meet its growth ambitions over the next decade.