Scotland’s B2B tech ecosystem is full of potential — but how do we unlock it? That was the driving question behind a recent conversation between CoE Trust CEO Peter Ferry and digital identity pioneer James Varga, exploring what Scotland can learn from some of Europe’s most digitally advanced nations.

Lessons from the Baltics

Estonia has become a global benchmark for digital government and identity. With its e-Residency programme, digital-first public services, and a population that routinely signs contracts, votes, and accesses healthcare online, the country has shown what is possible when digital trust is built into the fabric of society.

Peter Ferry, who has spent years bridging Scotland and Estonia through initiatives like the annual Tallinn pilgrimage for Scottish tech leaders, sees clear parallels and opportunities. Estonia’s success was not built on scale — it was built on ambition, collaboration, and a willingness to experiment with new approaches to identity and trust.

The Building Scotland Conversation

The Building Scotland initiative started as a simple idea: have more honest conversations about Scotland’s B2B tech ecosystem and how it can grow. These discussions have brought together founders, investors, policymakers, and academics to explore what is working, what is not, and where the biggest opportunities lie.

For the CoE Trust, these conversations are essential. The Centre exists to bridge the gap between cutting-edge academic research and real-world industry application. By connecting Scotland’s universities with its startup ecosystem and established businesses, the Centre is working to create the conditions for innovation to thrive.

Digital Identity as a Foundation

At the heart of many of these discussions is digital identity. As the UK develops its Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework, Scotland has an opportunity to lead the way in developing privacy-preserving, user-centric identity solutions. The CoE Trust’s work in this area — through its Blockpass ID Lab at Edinburgh Napier and research partnerships across the university consortium — is helping to shape how digital identity could work in practice.

The message from both Ferry and Varga is clear: Scotland has the talent, the research base, and the institutional support to become a significant player in digital trust. What it needs now is the confidence to move fast and the willingness to learn from those who have already made the leap.