Menu Close

Case Study

Industry Deep-Dive Research: Digital Health & Medical Technology

The evidence demonstrates Scotland’s strong MedTech and digital health base and the clear opportunities to compete internationally

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Scotland has a rich history of innovation in health and care technologies. Public and private sectors are working together in driving progress in medical technology (MedTech) and digital health solution development, capitalising on the extensive academic research, knowledge base and expertise in enabling technologies such as AI, advanced materials, and robotics. Alongside home-grown start-ups and scale-ups, the sector also features global players and specialist consultancies, all supported by government strategies and investment that place a clear priority on digital health and MedTech technology innovation.

Within this context, Scottish Enterprise commissioned this study to undertake a detailed review of the sector, with the aim of understanding its capabilities, subsector strengths, and ambitions for global expansion.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Audit and map Scotland’s MedTech and digital health companies, including those with potential to pivot into the sector
Engage with businesses and stakeholders to capture intelligence on capabilities, growth ambitions, and challenges
Assess alignment with domestic and global market needs, funding opportunities, and areas for collaboration
Generate an evidence base that supports decision-making on how best to accelerate the sector’s development

Audit and map Scotland’s MedTech and digital health companies, including those with potential to pivot into the sector
Engage with businesses and stakeholders to capture intelligence on capabilities, growth ambitions, and challenges
Assess alignment with domestic and global market needs, funding opportunities, and areas for collaboration
Generate an evidence base that supports decision-making on how best to accelerate the sector’s development




OUR APPROACH

We adopted a mixed-methods approach that combined desk research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement. A database of Scottish companies, research and innovation organisations, and support bodies was compiled and refined using existing datasets, industry directories, and supplementary intelligence. This was complemented by analysis of global markets, trends, and funding opportunities to benchmark Scotland’s position internationally and identify Scottish opportunities to capitalise on global market trends.

Primary research was carried out through one-to-one interviews with a representative sample of companies and organisations, alongside an online survey to capture wider input. This engagement provided insights into business capabilities, growth ambitions, challenges, and current use of the support available from Scottish Enterprise and its partners, as well as opportunities for companies with potential to pivot into the sector.

DELIVERY TEAM

Deborah Creamer
Managing Director & Senior Consultant
About>
Jolanta Beinaroviča
Senior Consultant
About>
Ashley Stewart
Director & Senior Consultant
About>

OUTPUTS AND IMPACTS

The outputs provided Scottish Enterprise with a robust evidence base on the current and emerging profile of the sector. They pinpointed areas of competitive advantage and highlighted pathways for growth.

Key outputs included:

  • A detailed market research report capturing the scale, scope, and growth potential of Scotland’s MedTech and digital health ecosystem
  • A searchable database of companies, categorised by technology area and corporate metrics, providing an accessible evidence base for future analysis and decision making
  • An executive summary highlighting key findings and recommendations, published online to ensure wider visibility and accessibility

The findings of this study will inform future policy development and the design of targeted support measures.

‘‘The Life Sciences (Human Health) team at Scottish Enterprise commissioned the study to assess the scale and growth potential of the Digital Health and MedTech activity in Scotland. The final report delivered robust evidence, clearly mapping sector capabilities, strengths, and global potential. The Optimat team’s professionalism and expertise was evident in their rigorous analysis and stakeholder engagement which provided valuable insights that are now informing our strategic company engagement and deepening our understanding of the ecosystem.’’

Sagarika Gnanaolivu (Specialist, Life Sciences & Human Health)
Scottish Enterprise

Deborah Creamer

Managing Director

I’m Deborah Creamer, the Managing Director of Optimat. I’m passionate about helping organisations and businesses make smarter, evidence-based decisions, especially when it comes to innovation, technology, and long-term growth.

I’ve been part of the Optimat team since 1998, specialising in strategic industrial analysis for high-tech sectors. Over the years, I’ve built up a deep understanding of what drives success in innovation and economic development, and I enjoy working with clients to turn data and insight into meaningful action.

I specialise in advanced materials and manufacturing and the industries in which they play a key role – ranging from aerospace to medical devices. My particular area of expertise is in funding for innovation, spanning a broad spectrum from evaluating R&D and innovation funding application to developing business cases for significant innovation assets in Scotland and the UK. I’ve supported many organisations to craft successful funding applications whether that is for a small R&D project or a state-of-the-art innovation centre and it’s incredibly rewarding to help secure the backing that great ideas need to become reality. Ibelieve in the power of innovation, collaboration, and practical thinking to create lasting impact, for businesses, industries, and communities.

Before joining Optimat, my career started in materials R&D and new product development, working with BP International and Bourns Electronics Inc. That hands on industry experience gave me a solid foundation in how technologies evolve and get to market.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, an MBA, and I’m a Chartered Engineer.

Jolanta Beinaroviča

Senior Consultant

I’m Jolanta, a Senior Consultant at Optimat, where I specialise in the life sciences sector, including pharmaceuticals, industrial biotechnology, medical technology, and digital health. Iam particularly interested in how these fields are shaped and enabled by emerging technologies.

My work focuses on supporting clients across industry and public sector to make informed, strategic decisions. I am passionate about techno-market research and forecasting, and I draw on a strong foundation in science and technology to help clients identify opportunities and build a competitive advantage to deliver economic and societal benefits.

Since joining Optimat in 2022, I have contributed to a wide range of projects, including targeted market research studies, industrial sector profiling, capability audits, commercial opportunity mapping, commercialisation planning, and skills and workforce forecasting. I also have significant experience in due diligence, having evaluated numerous R&D grant proposals across various funding mechanisms. Alongside this, I have supported clients with programme design and undertaken several project and programme evaluations.

Before Optimat, I worked as an R&D scientist in several engineering biology spinouts and also gained experience as a casual academic and medical writer. This background has given me a strong analytical skillset and deep insight into early-stage technology transfer and commercialisation, which I now apply to help clients develop robust, evidence-informedstrategies towards achieving their goals.

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology & Biochemistry and a PhD in Synthetic Biology. I am currently pursuing an MBA (Technology Management), with the support of Optimat.

Dr Ashley Stewart

Director & Senior Consultant

I’m Ashley, a Director and Senior Consultant at Optimat. I specialise in digital and data technologies, from AI and Automation to Space, Immersive and Geospatial, helping to advance Scotland’s wider enabling technologies.  I support the growth of high-innovation sectors where Scotland has the potential to lead globally.

For over 15 years at Optimat, I’ve helped industries, organisations and governments use digital and emerging technologies to unlock growth and sharpen their competitiveness. Recent work has focused on AI, building a clearer picture of Scotland’s capabilities and adoption opportunities, and on Space, where I’ve delivered insights that shape strategies for industry growth, Net Zero pathways and new infrastructure, such as spaceports. Across the full breadth of digital and emerging technologies, my role is about turning evidence into action and ensuring Scotland stays globally competitive as technologies and industries evolve.

Another core area of expertise is cluster development and strategy. I established, and now lead, Location Data Scotland, building it from the ground up into a vibrant geospatial community. Beyond geospatial, I’ve developed roadmaps and action plans across digital technologies, advanced manufacturing and materials, and aerospace. This combines market and technology analysis with stakeholder engagement to map assets, identify opportunities and design interventions that support innovation and competitiveness.

Before joining Optimat, I worked as a Research Technologist in academia, gaining insight into how technologies move from research to real-world application. That experience, combined with two decades in consultancy, enables me to bridge research, policy and industry to help clients make smarter, evidence-based decisions. I hold a BA in Marketing, an MSc in IT & Web Development, and a PhD in Technology Enhanced Learning & Communities of Practice.