EIE24, set to reconvene as a live event in Edinburgh this year, aims to determine whether the investment community's purported risk aversion is a reality. The survey is designed to capture the perspectives of early and mid-stage company founders.

Completing the questionnaire requires no more than 15 minutes and covers topics such as job creation, available support for startups and scaling companies, political uncertainty, and the effects of global events.

Since its inception in 2008, EIE has facilitated connections between global investors and Scotland’s burgeoning tech ecosystem, showcasing the nation's most promising tech companies with global relevance. To date, the event has assisted over 540 companies in securing upwards of $1.5 billion in downstream funding.

Duncan Martin, EIE24 Lead Executive and Director of Entrepreneurship at the Bayes Centre, The University of Edinburgh, said: “I attended a big event recently that included an investor panel discussing the problem of there being too few opportunities in Scotland. A company CEO responded to the panel saying this was wrong, there are lots of companies out there looking for investment. It became clear to me that there is clearly a disconnect between the two sides in this discussion.

“Our Investment Landscape Survey is an opportunity to help shape investors’ and ecosystem builders’ understanding of founders and an opportunity for founders to highlight the challenges they’re facing.

“The more voices we hear from, the better able we will be to line up the needs and expectations of businesses and potential investment partners, and support the development and success of the ecosystem as a whole. That’s why I’d urge everyone in the tech ecosystem, founders and investors alike, to join the conversation and complete our brief survey.”

EIE24 is set to adopt a refreshed format compared to previous iterations, uniting investors globally for two days filled with networking, exploration, and stimulating the deal-making process alongside some of Scotland’s leading innovative companies and partners from throughout the ecosystem. The event will be hosted by Laura Goodwin, BBC Scotland’s Innovation Correspondent, and is scheduled to occur at iconic Edinburgh landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, The John McIntyre Conference Centre, and Dynamic Earth on 30th April and 1st May 2024.