What is the Ayrshire Digital Economy Ecosystem? 

The Ayrshire Digital Economy Ecosystem (ADEE) brings together industry, academia and the public sector to accelerate digital innovation and growth across Ayrshire. 

The ADEE provides a single, coordinated approach to turning Ayrshire’s digital ambition into real-world impact by connecting partners, projects and investment across government, academia and industry. Its vision is to create the foundation for a dynamic, connected and inclusive digital economy that drives economic growth by helping businesses adopt new technologies, advancing digital education and skills, fostering innovation, and strengthening regional capacity. Through strategic triple-helix collaboration and alignment with regional priorities, ADEE supports a more resilient economy, attracts investment, and positions Ayrshire as a leader in digital transformation. 

Watch our short promotional video to learn more about the Ayrshire Digital Economy Ecosystem, how it has developed, and why collaboration across government, academia and industry matters to Ayrshire’s digital future: 

What we deliver 

The ADEE turns collaboration into practical support and real-world impact across the region. This includes: 

  • Innovation – testbeds, demonstrators, and innovation hubs that enable organisations to trial, validate, and scale new technologies.  
  • Education – training, workshops, and industry-led learning that build digital skills, confidence, and leadership.  
  • Collaboration – a connected network bringing together industry, academia, and public partners to develop projects, access funding, and drive innovation. 

Who is involved: the Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region Legacy 

The Ayrshire Digital Economy Ecosystem (ADEE) is the lasting legacy of the £4.4m DSIT-funded Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region programme, carrying forward the partnerships, momentum, and delivery capability established through 5GIR. Built through collaboration across government, industry, academia, and the third sector, ADEE provides a long-term structure for sustained digital innovation, investment, and regional growth. 

As of May 2026, the ecosystem has engaged 220 stakeholders and delivered 107 knowledge dissemination and workshop events, strengthening awareness, capability, and collaboration across sectors. This impact demonstrates how 5GIR has evolved beyond a funded programme into a foundation for Ayrshire’s digital future. 

The following impact report tells the story of how 5GIR turned collaboration into delivery - and how ADEE will carry that legacy forward into Ayrshire’s next phase of digital transformation. 

read the 5gir impact report (pdf)

Foundation of the ADEE Ecosystem

Formally established through a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2026, the ADEE provides the long-term ecosystem framework that connects regional projects, innovation hubs, partners and future actions into a single delivery structure. 

Our journey: from strategy to ecosystem 

Ayrshire’s digital economy work has developed through a clear, coordinated progression: 

The Ayrshire Regional Economic Strategy (RES), launched in June 2023, set out a shared long-term ambition for building wealth for everyone in Ayrshire. Within that strategy, the digital economy was established as a central pillar of regional development, recognising the importance of digital infrastructure, connectivity, innovation, skills and inclusion in shaping future productivity and competitiveness. 

To support translating the RES ambition into delivery, the Digital Economy Workstream (DEW) was established in 2023. The DEW brought partners together to shape practical activity, coordinate regional priorities, and identify how Ayrshire could build a stronger and more resilient digital economy through collaboration, investment and sector-focused innovation. 

One of the key early outputs of the Digital Economy Workstream was the development of the Ayrshire Digital Economy Framework (ADEF). Developed by the DEW, the Framework provides the strategic blueprint for Ayrshire’s digital economy activity and gives partners a shared structure for planning, delivery and impact measurement. 

The Framework is organised around five interconnected pillars:

  • Digital Infrastructure – to develop robust digital infrastructure that enhances connectivity, attracts investment and strengthens Ayrshire’s position as a digital hub. 
  • Digital Connectivity – to ensure reliable, high-speed connectivity, including advanced wireless and 5G technologies, for businesses, residents and services. 
  • Digital Innovation – to cultivate innovation, digital adoption and research-led activity that supports productivity, economic growth and sustainability. 
  • Digital Skills – to equip people, employers and organisations with the capabilities needed to thrive in a changing digital economy. 
  • Digital Inclusion – to ensure fair and equitable access to digital technologies, reduce digital poverty and improve wellbeing. 

The framework is also underpinned by three essential cross-cutting themes: 

  • Empowering Digital Champions
  • Leveraging Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Embracing Sustainability for a thriving and inclusive digital economy in Ayrshire


 

Regional Innovation Hubs and Strategic Assets

A key strength of the programme is that it links into a wider landscape of regional innovation capacity. The 5GIR programme did not operate in isolation; it connected with strategic assets and hubs that can continue to support future digital economy activity. 

Digital Connectivity & Innovation Centre (DCIC) – UWS-led hub providing advanced connectivity research, testbeds and digital innovation capability. 

Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) – hosted by NMIS and focused on advanced manufacturing, 5G and AI adoption. 

Aerospace & Technology Application Centre (ASTAC) – supporting sector-aligned aerospace skills, testing and capability. 

AMIC Food & Drink Centre of Excellence – supporting one of Ayrshire’s major regional sectors with modern facilities and innovation space. 

Other regional assets including IMSE and CoRE that contribute to wider innovation, place and sustainability outcomes. 

Regional Innovation Hubs and Strategic Assets

A key strength of the programme is that it links into a wider landscape of regional innovation capacity. The 5GIR programme did not operate in isolation; it connected with strategic assets and hubs that can continue to support future digital economy activity. 

Last updated: 24/07/2026