PwC forms alliance with CodeBase taking work to new level

TECHNOLOGY incubator CodeBase is increasing the capacity at its Edinburgh base with support from PwC.

The accountancy giant has provided funding which will allow CodeBase to speed up work on fitting out an additional floor at the facility, close to Edinburgh Castle.

Financial details were not disclosed. It is understood the fit out could provide space for around ten more early stage firms to move into CodeBase.

The Edinburgh centre is home to more than 90 firms working in what CodeBase describes as a collaborative environment designed for the new digital economy. These employ around 600 people in total.

Tenants are working in areas ranging from data analytics to online ordering systems.

PwC will take some space in the incubator and offer business support services for tenants.

The firm will focus on services provided under its My Financepartner programme, which it said works on a low-cost subscription model. Clients can choose from a range of services including cloudbased accounting software, management reporting and payroll processing.

CodeBase chief executive Stephen Coleman said: “The partnership with PwC allows us to both accelerate development at Argyle House on our journey to build a tech powerhouse in Edinburgh and for our companies to tap into the firm’s global expertise and networks.”

PwC regional chair Lindsay Gardiner said: “Private businesses are the lifeblood of Scotland and the advice companies get at CodeBase is set to help them be amongst the next generation of fast-growth and bigsuccess firms. Being able to help all of these companies to that level will be a fantastic achievement.”

PwC’s head of innovation in Scotland, Douglas Shand, helped pull together the deal.

Outsourcing giant Capita formed a partnership with CodeBase in 2015, which allowed the incubator to house 10 more start ups.

CodeBase will this month open a centre in Stirling, its first outside Edinburgh. Mr Coleman has said it will exploit Stirling’s central location to provide scale-up education, events and mentorship for Scotland’s digital companies.

The centre will form part of the Stirling Council-backed Digital District initiative.