Katrick Technologies is a Glasgow-based green tech company with proprietary technology to help organisations reduce their energy needs – and it’s taking its tools across borders with GlobalScot.

Scottish start-up Katrick Technologies creates, designs and develops technologies with the aim of accelerating the renewable transition through innovation. Marketing Manager Alexandra Basso explains that the IP company has a suite of nine patented clean-tech solutions, with two currently in development.

The first is their Passive Cooling technology for data centre server rooms, which captures waste heat and rejects it so they can run at ambient temperatures while using a limited amount of energy, resulting in savings of up to 70% across cooling. The second is a flexible, modular wind turbine that can be placed where tall, traditional designs may not be possible, such as in urban areas.

“We don’t want our technology to be only in the UK and we need a global presence if we want to continue to grow and innovate.”

Supporting exponential growth with GlobalScot networks

The green tech company was founded by Karthik Velayutham, now co-CEO with Vijay Madlani, in 2016 and has expanded at an exponential rate, with the team increasing from four core members to 22 employees in the space of a couple of years.

Alexandra joined the company at the start of 2021 and has been a part of the exciting changes. She shares with us the company’s first introduction to GlobalScot, which came through its existing relationship with Scottish Enterprise particularly its international arm Scottish Development International.

The company presented its novel wind panels at the Decarbonising Cities Event in Switzerland, in part organised by Scottish Development’s Trade Specialist in Bern, Tessa Kofmel. Following which, Tessa introduced them to the proactive and interconnected GlobalScot group in Switzerland.

Speaking to experts with a great knowledge of the Swiss market, like GlobalScots Iain Martin and Marlene Uetz, helped give Katrick an understanding of the local business culture. This is invaluable when hoping to conduct business in a territory outside your own.

“Any Scottish company looking to upscale and reach wider audiences, especially international audiences, should consider linking with GlobalScot.”

Facing global challenges across borders

One big challenge Alexandra identified for Scottish companies is the ongoing changes that have been brought about following Brexit. For many organisations, access to funding has been altered by the UK leaving the European Union.

By forging relationships across borders, companies are in a better position to tackle and understand challenges faced throughout international markets – and Katrick are grateful for the opportunities they’ve had to make unexpected connections through GlobalScot.

“Connecting with GlobalScot opened so many doors, we had the chance to talk to huge corporations and to get access to people we didn’t even know we needed access to. It’s a great network and has a real sense of community. It’s not just helping Scottish companies, but people too.”

Opening the door to new understandings

During their time in Switzerland, the Katrick team had the chance to connect with several members of the GlobalScot network, which immediately opened up the potential for new links and networking opportunities. It was perfect timing for the team, as they were actively looking to build their network and make contacts with experts from outside the UK.

For example, through connections forged via GlobalScot, the company has had the chance to speak to huge organisations, such as Nestlé. Katrick then used these early conversations to help inform technical specifications for future customers, which they plan to take to market in spring 2023.

Supporting the next wave of talent

As Alexandra points out, Scotland has a great base in manufacturing and tech, but there’s still work to be done in getting the word out there. One big positive for Katrick is the fact that there is a strong demand for green tech, with many organisations, institutions and even individuals searching for ways to lower their energy impact.

Another great benefit to the company has been the backing of Scotland’s educational institutions. The company’s founder, Karthik, studied at the University of Strathclyde and Katrick has received ongoing encouragement from the institution as well as support from the University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University.

In the spirit of paying something back, Katrick actively recruits engineers from these universities, bringing new talent on at an early stage and helping to develop skills and expertise. They also run university-backed internships and are investing in the people, as well as the technology, poised to make a difference.

The company believes in supporting the next wave of talent – and appreciates the way that GlobalScots from around the world are attempting to do the same, by volunteering their time and expertise.

“There can be a domino effect when you connect via GlobalScot. You start off talking to one person, who might then set you up with several other conversations or opportunities, and by the end, you’re in a much stronger position than the one you started in."

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