A new support programme has been launched targeted at North Sea technology start-ups to maximise their potential.
Legal firm CMS has kicked off its equIP scheme, providing training and discounted legal services to new companies to protect their intellectual property (IP).
The scheme is across Scotland, however CMS is targeting tech firms in Aberdeen due to high levels of new patents being developed in the city.
Partner Frank Fowlie said: “It’s about supporting IP-rich companies that are more likely to require legal advice.
“Quite often these companies are on a big trajectory from a growth point of view.
“Aberdeen is a very technology-driven place which will help us extract all of our reserves from the North Sea and ensure that we have a strong services sector in the north east.
“It is the technology services companies that are providing the services for the operators that this would target in particular.
“We’re keen to pick up on the work of the other incubators in Aberdeen with oil and gas as the key sector. “
A similar programme in London has seen 60 companies sign-up.
Those who are part of equIP get a discount on legal services of up to £25,000 per ear for three years, as well as industry introductions and training.
CMS said the work also follows other oil and gas incubators run by the Oil and Gas Technology Centre, Opportunity North East and Elevator, among others.
Mr Fowlie added: “From an Aberdeen perspective it makes sense to put a focus on oil and gas. It has been extraordinarily successful in London and we’re trying to do the same with it up here.
“It’s very much about young growing companies that are in that first stage. It’s about putting them on the right road. If you do so early it makes life easier later on in terms of IP health checks.”
Anyone interested in the programme should contact CMS via email – equipscotland@cms-cmno.com
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