Glasgow City Innovation District Launches Strategic Plan

Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID) unveiled its Strategic Plan 2025–2030, setting out an ambitious vision to drive the next phase of innovation-led growth in Glasgow and strengthen the city’s position as a world-class hub for investment, enterprise and collaboration.

Building on the success of the District, the new strategy outlines five key goals designed to accelerate business growth, strengthen industry partnerships and enhance the city’s innovation infrastructure. The plan will guide GCID’s activity over the next five years, focusing on:

• Innovation, Enterprise and Investment
• Ecosystem Development and Industry Engagement
• Infrastructure and Placemaking
• City, Regional, National and Global Partnerships
• Talent, Skills and Learning Development

The launch follows a period of exceptional growth for Glasgow’s innovation economy. Recent figures from Dealroom highlight Glasgow’s tech ecosystem as one of the fastest growing in the UK, with a collective enterprise value of over £4 billion and a 211% increase in venture capital investment since the District’s formation.

The Strategic Plan positions GCID to build on this momentum, expanding flagship initiatives such as Fusion Fest, Glasgow Tech Week and the Venture Studio, while working with regional and national partners to attract new investment, strengthen global connections and support high-growth industries across digital, energy, health and creative technology sectors.

Alisdair Gunn, Director of Glasgow City Innovation District said:

Since its creation, Glasgow City Innovation District has been the catalyst for collaboration, enterprise and growth, driving real impact for investors, businesses, researchers and the wider community.

As we look ahead to the next five years, our ambition for what the District can achieve continues to grow. By building on our momentum, strengthening partnerships and expanding our reach, we can further support Glasgow’s thriving innovation ecosystem and reinforce the city’s position as a global leader in technology, talent and investment.

As Scotland’s first innovation district, GCID brings together academia, industry, investors and government to deliver inclusive economic growth through innovation. Anchored by the University of Strathclyde, the District is home to the highest concentration of innovation hubs, Catapults and Innovation Centres in Scotland.

Read the full Strategic Plan 2025-2030.