Since GCID’s creation, there has been a significant growth in attracting inward investment, development of the city’s innovation ecosystem and scaling company formation. GCID’s contribution has had a direct impact on the growth of Glasgow’s innovation economy which has been quantified through the most recent Dealroom report which states that Glasgow’s tech ecosystem is one of the fastest growing in the United Kingdom, with a collective enterprise value of over £4 billion.
Following the formation of GCID in 2019, the amount of venture capital received by tech businesses in Glasgow has grown by 211%. Becoming one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech regions, the investment into GCID highlights the real opportunity to further scale Glasgow’s high-growth industries and GCID’s innovation ecosystem.
Our Strategic Plan provides the overarching strategic framework for the next five years of GCID activity.
Glasgow City Innovation District hosts the highest concentration of innovation hubs, UK Government supported industry innovation Catapults, Scottish Government supported Innovation Centres and leading sector specific organisations such as the Royal Academy of Engineering and the UK’s only Fraunhofer Institute in Scotland.
As Scotland’s most established Innovation District and recognised innovation Growth Hub, GCID benefits from a high concentration of R&D tech centres, bolstered by the University of Strathclyde as its anchor institution. This distinctive innovation ecosystem strengthens GCID’s value proposition, driving key economic delivery activities such as the Glasgow City Region Innovation Action Plan, the Investment Zone, and Devolution Deal.
To accelerate innovation and business growth by creating an ecosystem where investors, industry, academia, and government
collaborate to solve innovation-focussed challenges, both market and societal. The District will attract investment, nurture talent,
advance innovation, grow businesses and support the development of world-class innovation infrastructure to ensure Glasgow City Innovation District remains key driver of vibrant, sustainable economic and inclusive transformation.
Glasgow City Innovation District is a globally recognised hub for innovation, investment, collaboration and enterprise. By fostering a dynamic ecosystem of investors, businesses, researchers, and industry leaders, it will drive economic growth, societal impact, and investment into the region—positioning Glasgow as an innovation and industry leader.
The purpose of GCID is to support and encourage economic and societal growth by bringing together investors, academia, industry and businesses. GCID exists to support the development of the innovation ecosystem through its partnerships, initiatives and collaborations. To achieve the above over the period of this strategic plan, GCID has five strategic goals and associated KPIs that will be delivered to 2030 through an annual operating plan, that will take account each year of prevailing market conditions and considerations.
Across the five strategic goals we will embed social innovation, sustainability and core social values across all aspects of our programme delivery, ensuring our work drives inclusive impact and contributes purposefully to the ecosystem and local communities we support.
Innovation, Enterprise & Investment
Ecosystem Development & Industry Engagement
Infrastructure & Placemaking
City, Regional, National & Global partnerships
Talent, Skills & Learning Development
Glasgow City Innovation District has been the catalyst for collaboration, enterprise, and growth, driving real impact for investors, businesses, researchers, and the wider community. I am incredibly proud of the progress that has been made to position Glasgow as a global leader in technology and a desirable place to invest and locate.
Alisdair Gunn, Director, Glasgow City Innovation District
To achieve and implement the stated goals for the District, additional resource and secured funding is required:
The next five years, 2025 to 2030, represents a real opportunity for GCID to scale and grow the economic and business impact of the District and Glasgow’s Innovation Economy.
By leveraging recent developments such as the proposed GCR innovation deal, securing additional investment, and expanding existing initiatives like Glasgow Tech Week, Fusion Fest, Innovation Accelerator, Investment Zone, and the Venture Studio - GCID will drive the next wave of innovation-led economic growth in Glasgow and further afield.
With GCID’s existing partners we will expand externally funded programmes and initiatives that have measurable impact (as demonstrated by the delivery of the pilot work of the GCID Venture Studio). GCID needs to adapt to a changing policy and funding environment to better support the growth and scale up of innovative businesses and to help realise Glasgow’s potential as a major UK and international innovation ecosystem, location and destination.