Techscaler Companies Heading to Japan
Eight leading Scottish games companies are to showcase their products and expertise to a global audience.
They will leave on 5th April for a two week visit to Japan, one of the world’s biggest and most influential gaming markets, which will see them meet potential new investors, customers and commercial contacts.
In Tokyo they will be based at Tunnel Tokyo, a startup incubator operated by the SEGA Sammy group and venture capital firm Pegasus Ventures.
They will then showcase their products at a Scottish Government event focused on gaming at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, which expects to host over 28 million attendees from all over the world.
The visit has been developed as part of the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme. Participants range from Blazing Griffin a Glasgow-based multi-media entertainment company spanning games, film and post-production, to Dundee based Konglomerate Games and Edinburgh company GLITCHERS, whose products include games technology aimed at the healthcare sector,
Techscaler is growing fast! Cumulatively in the last two years, we have: 1,411 individual members 978 companies 59% early-stage founders in the community
— Techscaler (@tech_scaler) February 11, 2025
With Medtech & Edtech leading the way Scotland’s startup scene is thriving!
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Japan is synonymous with gaming technology and, with a market valued at around $50 billion, it offers phenomenal economic opportunities for our own, hugely talented Scottish sector.
BUSINESS MINISTER RICHARD LOCHHEAD
Techscaler is about helping entrepreneurs unleash their ability to innovate, spearheading Scotland’s presence in expanding new markets.
Techscaler Japan will present some of our most exciting gaming start-ups with considerable opportunities to unlock further investment, develop new commercial partnerships and drive and showcase their businesses on a global stage.
The first-ever research into skills and training in Scotland's games ecosystem is underway by @scottishgames and they need your help.
— CodeBase (@CodeBaseTech) March 20, 2025
Help them to understand the challenges facing games businesses and how they can be addressed more effectively: https://t.co/xuV3girlW8
The companies selected to join the first Japan cohort represent some of Scotland’s most exciting and promising companies from the gaming sector, and while some are further down the commercial path than others, what they all have in common is a global mindset.
RUTH OLIVER, HEAD OF BRIDGE PROGRAMMES AT CODEBASE (TECHSCALER DELIVERY PARTNER)
With the opportunity to make valuable industry connections and gain insights and learnings, the programme offers the companies a golden chance to win customers and take their business to the next level in one of the world’s most dynamic and important markets.
Background
The companies participating in the visit are:
- BearHammer Games (Glasgow), a virtual reality projects and game developer
- Konglomerate Games (Dundee) develops video game technology for sectors like healthcare and education.
- Buildstash (Glasgow), which helps game developers manage iOS and Android apps
- Yaldi Games (Edinburgh) which develops education-focused software.
- Speech Graphics (Edinburgh) which develops facial animation technology
- Blazing Griffin (Glasgow) a film and games producer and post-production developer.
- Wardog Studios (Edinburgh) which develops virtual reality weapons and vehicles
- GLITCHERS (Edinburgh) a game developer whose titles include a game used to support dementia research
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai takes place from 13 April to 13 October. It is an international event at which countries, organisations and companies showcase innovations, cultural exchanges and solutions to global challenges. It is expected to attract about 28 million visitors and more than 150 participating countries.
Scotland’s spotlight event on gaming and consumer industries will be held on 17 April at the UK Pavilion. Scottish Enterprise is supporting the three events for Scotland at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai is available on SDI’s website.
The Scottish Government is investing £42 million in Techscaler. Nearly 1,000 Scottish companies are now involved in the programme.