A Guid New Year In 2016 - Reasons To Be Cheerful

John Swinney, Moya Greene and Cally Russell at Mallzee HQ Opening 11/12/15 courtesy of The Scotsman

This will be my last blog post before the Christmas season. I have been working on some thoughts about the challenges facing the startup and SaaS ecosystems. Especially here in Scotland. However, it seems churlish to share those. So I am saving it for the New Year and talking about reasons for celebration instead.
 
The picture above is of one special celebration. Mallzee opened their new office (also home to Appointedd) last Friday. Scottish Finance Minister John Swinney and Royal Mail Group CEO Moya Greene were kind enough to perform the official duties. Both also spent time talking to the teams and hearing about the amazing progress the company has made. Transforming the fashion shopping experience through mobile. As you can see the view is pretty cool as well!
 
The best part of the whole startup experience is working with great teams. I sit on the boards of 5 companies. The founders, the marketing guys, the engineers and the software geeks are all there. I am also lucky enough to spend time with lots of other startups. Fun people working to build awesome products. Teams are what make business success. They are also what gets me out of bed every day. 
 
A special element with these guys is watching them grow. When I reflect back on the past year I can see so many people who have developed new skills. Built confidence. Extended their talent. I know there is plenty more to come in 2016. 
 
Let me also pick up on those awesome products. Most of the companies I talk to have B2B SaaS products. Between them they could transform almost every aspect of business. For every size of company from family stores to multi-nationals. I also see great work being done for areas like healthcare and education. Outside the commercial sphere in the UK but still a focus for innovation. 
 
My only regret this year has been lack off time. There is so much going on. And so many fantastic opportunities to work with extraordinary founders. I have had to turn down a couple of wonderful startups this year. I wish them all well. Being split for choice is fun but painful sometimes.
 
Great teams, awesome products, more opportunities than time. Scotland is a pretty good place to be right now. We have the ingredients for a world beating startup ecosystem. And it is all set in one of the most amazing places on earth to live and work.
 
It is impossible to do justice to the beauty and tranquillity. Home to some of the wildest country and coasts in Europe. Our cities are friendly, efficient and buzzing with life. Scotland is home to some of the finest natural produce you will ever find. The best thing you can do in 2016 is come and see for yourself. You will be most welcome.