The funding is part of the Scottish government’s innovation programme CivTech, with Smart Data Foundry one of 12 Scottish companies selected to fast-track high-impact solutions that improve lives and public services.

The funding will help develop a prototype ‘festival planner’ map-based dashboard to help cities and event organisers better coordinate major events, such as the annual Edinburgh Festival, major concerts and sporting fixtures.

The idea grew out of research by Smart Data Foundry, which showed significant gaps in how accommodation and transport are planned during peak event periods. For example, more than half of people hoping to attend future festivals in Edinburgh struggled to find accommodation within a 90-minute commute, largely due to limited late-night public transport options. 

Smart Data Foundry will now enter CivTech’s 15-week Accelerator programme, working with public sector partners to deliver a minimum viable product. At the end of the programme, participants could compete for a share of up to £7.7m in public sector contracts. 

Smart Data Foundry was created in 2022 to use financial data to tackle issues such as poverty and inequality, and to create a positive impact across society, the economy and the environment.

The company is based in the Edinburgh Futures Institute and is a subsidiary of the University of Edinburgh.

Dougie Robb, chief executive at Smart Data Foundry, said: “Scotland’s festivals attract millions of visitors every year, and play a key role in our vital tourism sector. This brings us incredible cultural and economic benefits, but it can place a lot of pressure on transport, accommodation and residents.

“This prototype has real potential to take some of that strain off cities like Edinburgh and support Scotland’s pioneering cultural sector to grow sustainably. Something as simple as expanding evening and late-night transport could have a strong positive impact, opening up accommodation further afield and improving the experience for visitors, businesses and local communities alike.”

Deputy first minister Kate Forbes said: “CivTech 11 has once again delivered hugely promising proposals to tackle a wide range of challenges. I look forward to the Accelerator helping to deliver more game-changing products and services that can continue improving the public services that matter to people across the country.”