Dougie Robb

The data-for-good pioneer is one of just twelve Scottish companies selected by CivTech, the Scottish Government’s innovation programme, to fast-track high-impact tech solutions that improve lives and public services.

The funding will support the development of a prototype ‘festival planner’ map-based dashboard, aimed at helping cities and event organisers better co-ordinate major events such as the Edinburgh Festival, blockbuster concerts by artists like Taylor Swift and Oasis, and sporting fixtures including the Six Nations.

Smart Data Foundry will now enter CivTech’s 15-week Accelerator programme, working closely with public sector partners to deliver a Minimum Viable Product. By the end of the programme, participants could compete for a share of up to £7.7 million in public sector contracts.

The idea for the platform grew out of recent research by Smart Data Foundry, which revealed significant gaps in how accommodation and transport are planned during peak event periods. The analysis found that more than half of people hoping to attend future festivals in Edinburgh and surrounding areas may struggle to find accommodation within a 90-minute commute, largely due to limited late-night public transport options.

The research highlighted the potential of a joined-up, data-led approach, using near real-time insights to help organisers manage large scale events more effectively. The proposed live dashboard takes this one step further, bringing together intelligence on transport capacity, accommodation availability and workforce capacity. It will support festival and events planners to spread the benefits - and challenges - more evenly, boosting accessibility and economic impact.

Tourism plays a major role in the Scottish economy, with 4.4 million international visitors in 2024 bringing £4bn into the Scottish economy.

Dougie Robb, CEO of Smart Data Foundry, said: “Scotland’s festivals attract millions of visitors every year, and play a key role in our vital tourism sector. This brings us incredible cultural and economic benefits, but it can place a lot of pressure on transport, accommodation and residents. This prototype has real potential to take some of that strain off cities like Edinburgh and support Scotland’s pioneering cultural sector to grow sustainably.

“Something as simple as expanding evening and late-night transport could have a strong positive impact, opening up accommodation further afield and improving the experience for visitors, businesses and local communities alike. The technology could be applied to major, multi-site events such as the Commonwealth Games and major festivals like Glastonbury across the UK.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “CivTech is a unique programme that not only provides critical support to some of Scotland’s most promising and growing tech start-ups and SMEs, but at the same time harnesses their creative talent and innovation to improve public services.

“CivTech 11 has once again delivered hugely promising proposals to tackle a wide range of challenges. I look forward to the Accelerator helping to deliver more game-changing products and services that can continue improving the public services that matter to people across the country.”