The third round of a ground-breaking digital accelerator programme which seeks ingenious tech solutions to public sector problems and offers entrepreneurs and start-ups access to potentially life changing opportunities is underway.

Part of the Scottish Government’s CivTech® programme, Civtech 3.0 has already received a huge number of notes of interest from businesses and individuals keen to develop solutions to everything from trading in illicit goods to increasing the efficiency of NHS waiting times.

A range of public sector partners have submitted specific challenges for which they are seeking innovative business change proposals. Applicants have the opportunity to go on to win contracts of up to £250,000 and have until 2 July to submit their creative solutions which could change the lives of everyone in Scotland for the better.

Head of CivTech Alexander Holt said:

“In the short time since we launched this third round challenge, we’ve heard from people right across the UK who are eager to solve the issues that affect the everyday operation of our public sector organisations.

“With budgets under pressure and increasing demand, the need for smart, efficient and effective products is ever greater. And the public sector is increasingly aware that innovation is a good way to create them.

“The Scottish Government is also committed to ensuring that a large part of its tech spend goes to smaller, innovative businesses. This challenge is a gateway to creating solutions to public sector problems as quickly and effectively as possible.

“Our previous two cohorts have gone on to win many public sector contracts, create more jobs and continue to provide benefits for their challenge sponsors.

“For anyone – whether they’re an individual, team or company – it’s an opportunity to take a challenge, solve it, and win contracts with a blue-chip public sector organisation.”

Applicants are invited to submit their challenges via the Public Contracts Scotland  website.  Shortlisted proposals go on to an exploration stage for further development and ultimately, the best are supported through to the CivTech accelerator, which involves four months of work to co-create the real-world solution.

The full list of sponsors and challenges are as follows – full details can be found on the CivTech website:

Scottish Anti-Illicit Trade Group:  How can tech help stop illicit trading?

Glasgow City Council: How can we better connect people and places through public transport to address social isolation?

Stirling Council: How can technology help us improve services by better understanding investment requirements for our public buildings?

Scottish Housing Regulator: How can we use data to drive up standards in social rented housing?

Scottish Natural Heritage: How can we use tech to enhance engagement with the outdoor environment in Scotland

NHS National Services Scotland: How can we transform the re-use of products for NHS Scotland?

NHS National Services Scotland: How can we make the NHS Waiting time system more efficient and effective?

Digital Scotland: How can we improve the monitoring of staff satisfaction, happiness and wellbeing?

Digital Planning: How can we use technology and data to improve the reach and quality of public engagement in the planning system?

YoungScot: How can tech help young people manage their digital footprint?