AI for Scotland's 'Missing Middle'

In Scotland, we have incredible businesses that are delivering real value to the wider economy; however, to drive scale and growth, AI is going to be key in ensuring Scottish growth keeps up more widely. Nick Freer's recent article in The Scotsman takes a look at the missing support Scottish businesses need to thrive. Nick, who curates a weekly column for the business section of The Scotsman and advises dynamic SMEs and tech startups, highlights crucial insights in his piece.

In his article Nick discusses Elevator’s Scottish SME Survey. This survey aims to analyse what Elevator believes to be the “missing middle” in support for Scottish businesses, seeking to better understand what these vital SMEs need to thrive.

Elevator’s CEO, Rachel Ross: “In Scotland, we are very good at supporting early stage startups at one end of the spectrum, and scale-up companies at the other end, but where we could be missing a trick is around what has been described as the ‘missing middle’. We know that SMEs are the lifeblood of the Scottish economy, they consistently face economic and business challenges, so the more we can help them to grow the more we will all benefit as a nation.”

For businesses looking to remain competitive and achieve exponential growth, embracing AI isn't just an option; it's a necessity. Data from Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends and reveals compelling statistics on AI adoption. “...​​eight in ten (81%) have seen it increase their productivity, while 79% say it has improved their profitability.” Further insights can be read on Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce blog post.

Nick spoke with our CEO, Darren Auld, specifically about AI. Darren shared his perspective: “As a tech enabler, what’s critical is understanding that AI is not just another tool; it’s a field lever for entire sectors. The businesses that move first here are going to gain a massive, often irreversible advantage. Not moving at all? That’s simply the biggest risk.” 

Our own survey of Scottish SMEs, focusing on AI, revealed a significant insight: while a large majority of companies (90%) intended to invest in artificial intelligence, just over half of SMEs had already made that investment at the time of the survey. 

We work with businesses to help them explore AI and identify where it can add real value to their operations. We partner with successful mid-market businesses as their Tech Enabler. Some of our clients have a clear idea of the specific problem they need solving. Others know they need technological development but may not have the internal resources to identify where the real value can be added, especially since AI and innovation are now crucial for sustained business advantage.

We start each project with in-depth exploration. Our expert squads and business leaders sit down with your team in a dedicated Digital & AI Workshop. During this collaborative session, we identify possible areas where bespoke software and AI implementation can unlock growth and drive significant value for your business.

One of the common themes we're finding is that many businesses are not clear on how to adopt AI strategically. They have people in their businesses trying things, and there are lots of ideas, but their big challenge is understanding how it will tangibly and measurably create value, which is essential for most to get the necessary confidence to invest and move quickly; and moving quickly is going to be crucial. These sessions are designed to help mid-sized businesses overcome that problem and create clarity.

Our team is passionate about technology, business, and the constant innovation and development happening every day with AI. If you're an SME leader in Scotland looking to navigate the complexities of digital transformation and strategic AI adoption, we'd love to chat about how AI is impacting your industry and the wider business landscape.