How can we use technology to support the circular economy and Net Zero ambitions in the South of Scotland?

About CivTech CivTech’s mission is to drive daring and innovation in the public sector by collaboratively solving challenges that make people’s lives better – and in doing so create generations of sustainable, high growth businesses. CivTech brings together public sector expertise and private sector innovation to solve real problems, develop new products, and deliver better, faster and easier services for everyone. Central to the approach is co-production with the citizen. Part of the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate, CivTech’s approach is helping transform public sector engagement with tech and innovation, delivering significant benefits to public services, producing genuine uplifts for the Scottish economy - and along the way, making lives better. Across the country there are problems public sector organisations would like to solve and in the current environment the need for smart, efficient and effective products has never been greater. The Scottish Government is aware innovation is a good way to create them and is committed to ensuring a large part of its tech spend goes to smaller, innovative businesses. This is where CivTech comes in. The CivTech Innovation Flow is designed to create products as quickly and effectively as possible, and uses a true Development model at the heart of its Innovation Flow model. For you – whether you’re an individual, team or company – it’s an opportunity to take on a Challenge, solve it, and win contracts with a blue-chip public sector organisation. You’ll build a product, and a business to take it as far as possible. Because here’s the kicker: the Challenges we issue aren’t ‘single organisation’ problems – most exist worldwide. CivTech Sprints: open Challenges are set. Any organisation, team or individual can respond to them. Applications are assessed, and shortlisted proposals go into an Exploration Stage to be held between 22 November - 3 December 2021 where they’re developed further. The best go through to the MVP Development Stage, to be held between 15 December 2021 – 23 March 2022 where you will have 12 weeks to work collaboratively with your Challenge Sponsor to develop a Minimum Viable Product. From there may be an opportunity is for further contracts to develop your solution through to a commercially viable solution. Please note that with this Challenge, the opportunity for pre-commercial or follow-on contracts with the Challenge Sponsor, is not only dependent on the suitability and success of the MVP produced during the development stage; the opportunity for further contracts will be dependent on the Challenge Sponsor being able to secure further funding, which is not guaranteed. We welcome all ideas and applications, and particularly encourage proposals that can make the most of the Exploration and Development stages. The above dates are specific to this Challenge and respondent should be able to commit to the dates outlined. Please note this process is separate to the CivTech 6 Cohort of challenges and is working to a separate timescale. Please visit our website for information on CivTech and how to get involved: https://www.civtechalliance.org/civtech