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Scotland opens wide to Planet DDS AI dental software

Last updated: August 2024

Californian company, Planet DDS, was so impressed with Scotland’s reputation for talent and innovation that it invested £10 million in the country's thriving technology industry and fast-emerging AI sector.

Scaling innovation in a high growth sector  

Cloud-based dental software firm, Planet DDS, selected Scotland for its extensive tech talent pool and its proven track record in scaling innovation in high growth sectors. These were driving forces behind it opening its new Technology Development and Support Centre in Glasgow in July 2023. 

The US innovator is a leading provider of dental software, serving over 13,000 practices in America with more than 118,000 users, making it one of the largest dental databases in the world. The company’s dental software platform includes practice management, imaging and practice marketing to enable dental practices to grow by transitioning to a completely digital approach. 

But the decision to invest £10 million in Scotland from across the Atlantic was not taken lightly. The company, which also deploys AI technologies, carefully weighed up the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as alternative locations to expand its operations. Scotland won out, not just on the strength of its tech talent, but also for its world-class universities, expert business support network and connectivity.

Scotland: the preferred European location 

Mike adds that Scotland was the preferred location over the US firm’s two other considered European locations. He reflects on Glasgow having a less crowded technology market with better access to a depth of talent, resources and business support.  

Scotland’s thriving technology sector was a major drawcard for the company’s sizable investment into Glasgow, providing the perfect platform to broaden its vital business functions in product development. 

Planet DDS’s belief in Scotland reflects the attractive proposition for capital investment to help deliver a step change in the country’s productivity, and to transform its economy. All this underlines Scotland’s credentials as an international region for scaling businesses through innovation and investment.

The US firm is conducting market research in Scotland to understand the appetite for its dental AI products, targeting enterprise clients such as dental service organisations situated across multiple locations. 

Now with a firm footing in Glasgow’s bustling tech industry, the company has plans to expand its business and product development capabilities by moving into larger office space and continuing its upward trajectory. This will include developing its open Application Programming Interface (API) product to help its partners connect with its systems via data, leveraging its tech stack. Mike adds:

Mike Gibson, Chief Technology Officer at Planet DDS

A strong relationship with Scottish business networks 

Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International (SDI) helped the company throughout the pre and post location process, drafting a robust Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant application. This resulted in a grant of £985,000.

SDI took the company’s previous Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on a business trip to Glasgow in September 2022. This was with partners such as Glasgow City Chambers, Invest Glasgow, Skills Development Scotland, Glasgow City Innovation District, University of Strathclyde – Technology & Innovation Centre and multiple recruitment agencies. 

Mike says: “I have nothing but positive comments about how SDI helped us explore opportunities and connections in Scotland. It assisted us with business support and access to talent. We wouldn’t have set up here without this really positive interaction. The entire process of establishing ourselves here has been very smooth in a pro-business climate. We don’t always see this in other locations we operate in.” 

Proving Scotland’s innovation and ambition  

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, says: "This is a real vote of confidence in Glasgow’s talented and skilled workforce and Scotland’s growing reputation as a city of innovation, ambition and opportunity."

"Creating many high-quality jobs within such a hi-tech sector will help drive that reputation further. Situated within our world class City Innovation District, Planet DDS is well placed to secure the benefits of Glasgow’s energy, ingenuity and creativity.”

The company reflects Scotland’s environmental and wider social responsibility objectives through its 'Planeteers for the Planet' initiative. Here, colleagues have the opportunity to contribute to social causes by giving back to local communities by volunteering and donating to food banks. Planet DDS also values fair work and innovative practices in winning an award for one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators, 2023.

Ultimately, the firm’s inward investment in Scotland is powering its rapid expansion, success and innovation in a high growth sector. The company’s Contracted Annual Recurring Revenue (CARR) stands at £78.8 million ($100 million), and its operations have doubled in size over the past two years.

Interested in scaling your business from Scotland? 

You’ll find a supportive, collaborative and dynamic culture, where you can grow and diversify your business through diverse networks and opportunities.

This is why Scotland offers the right credentials as an attractive location to establish, expand and innovate your business here.

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