£353m
turnover of Dundee’s creative and digital industries in 2022
Technology and life sciences
Technology and Life Sciences Equipment Finance in Scotland
Hire purchase and leasing for computing hardware, laboratory and analytical equipment, cleanrooms and medical devices, structured around fast-moving technology.
- Broker since 1997
- 575+ lenders
- Led from Dundee
Scotland’s technology and life sciences base
1,045 to 2,125
jobs in Scotland’s games studios between 2015 and the latest government figures
£10.5bn
turnover of Scotland’s life sciences sector, surpassing its 2025 target of £8bn
Source: Scottish Development International, latest published data
£25bn
the Scottish Government’s turnover target for life sciences by 2035
Source: FutureScot, on the Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland, November 2025
Why technology finance is different
Computing hardware loses value quickly, and specialist laboratory equipment has fewer buyers on the second-hand market. Lenders take both into account, so terms are often shorter and structures differ from standard plant finance. Working with a broker who knows which lenders are comfortable with these assets can save time.
What we can help finance
Servers and compute clusters
Server infrastructure, GPU clusters and render hardware for games studios, software firms and research teams.
Workstations and creative hardware
High-specification workstations, motion capture and studio equipment.
Laboratory and analytical equipment
Analytical instruments, sequencing and testing equipment for biotech and research businesses.
Cleanrooms and specialist fit-out
Cleanroom construction and laboratory fit-out, where the lender accepts the installation as part of the asset.
Medical devices and imaging
Diagnostic, imaging and other medical equipment for practices and clinics.
Refreshing equipment regularly
Operating leases and contract hire can match the refresh cycle of fast-moving technology.
What helps an application
- A supplier quote that clearly describes the equipment
- Evidence of the income that will support repayments, such as customer contracts, grants or investor funding
- Recent accounts or management accounts
- For newer businesses, details of the founders and any guarantees offered
- A term that fits how long the equipment will stay useful to you
Tell us about the equipment
Tell us what you want to finance, roughly what it costs and a little about your business. We’ll come back to you with options. There is no obligation, and we don’t carry out a credit search at this initial stage.
Technology and life sciences finance FAQs
In some cases. Lenders look at contracts, grants, investors and the founders’ position as well as trading history, so it depends on the business and the lender.
Software and licences are usually harder to finance than hardware. Some lenders will include them when packaged with hardware, so it is worth asking.
Operating leases and contract hire can be structured around a refresh cycle, subject to the lender and the equipment.
Sometimes, depending on whether the lender treats the installation as part of the asset. We would check before approaching anyone.
Related
Sources
- Abertay University: Tay Cities creative tech cluster March 2026
- Digit: Scotland’s games sector 2025
- Scottish Development International: life sciences and biotech latest published data
- FutureScot: Life Sciences Strategy for Scotland, 2035 Vision November 2025
This page is general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Figures come from the published sources listed on this page and were correct when last reviewed. Lender availability, terms and criteria vary and are subject to status and underwriting.
Paul Thompson, trading as Acorn.finance, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 660207). Not all of the finance we arrange is regulated by the FCA.
Last reviewed: 11 November 2026