Scotland’s 2025-26 Programme for Government: A Springboard for Fintech Growth and Innovation

The Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Programme for Government outlines an ambitious agenda to drive economic resilience, reduce inequality, and lead in green and digital innovation.

For Scotland’s thriving fintech community, the programme delivers encouraging signals, particularly in the areas of global competitiveness, startup support, inward investment, and the wider innovation ecosystem.

Global Reach, Local Impact

Scotland’s new Six Point Export Plan will be of particular interest to fintech firms looking to scale internationally. It promises targeted support for export-ready companies, an expanded Scottish Development International footprint in Europe and the US, and a US Export Plan to identify optimal markets for Scottish strengths. It also includes efforts to bring global buyers to Scotland and increase trade missions in order to provide fintech scale-ups the kind of exposure essential for global growth.

Fintech-Specific Opportunities

The programme reinforces the Government’s commitment to strengthening Scotland’s position as the UK’s top investment destination outside London. Specifically, it outlines plans to:

• Enhance SDI support in key global markets, including Silicon Valley and other tech hubs, to attract high-growth companies to Scotland.
• Leverage partnerships with financial centres, including the City of London Corporation, to grow the fintech and financial services ecosystem.
• Improve private sector co-investment, notably from pension funds and institutional investors, to unlock funding for scaling ventures.
• Launch InvestScotland, a single-entry digital platform for showcasing national investment opportunities.

The main focus is to attract the international capital and expertise so important for fintech companies ready to scale from Scotland to the world.

Backing Startups and Inclusive Innovation

The programme puts clear emphasis on developing a more inclusive and dynamic startup environment. Highlights include:

• The First Minister’s Start-up Challenge, offering tailored support for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Up to £6 million to implement the Pathways report, supporting more women to start and scale businesses.
• Creation of a University Proof of Concept Fund and a Technology Council to commercialise academic research and shape future innovation policy.
• Continued investment in Scottish Edge, the Ecosystem Fund, and initiatives like AI Scotland, providing meaningful resources to young tech firms.

This support looks to increase the pipeline of innovation-led companies, many of which operate within fintech or adjacent sectors.

Skills and Talent Pipeline

Access to talent remains a key concern for fintech firms. The programme commits to:

• Maintaining free university tuition and expanding STEM education.
• Investing in apprenticeship and upskilling programmes, including in AI, data, and digital finance.
• Enhancing international education links to attract global students and research talent to Scotland.

These steps will help ensure fintech companies have access to the right skills at the right time, particularly as they grow and evolve.

You can read the full programme here.