Waracle: Inspiring Exemplar at the Heart of Digital Dundee
Growing from three founders to over 200 employees, Waracle is a flagship testimony to the success of Dundee's digital industry.
Waracle, a Dundee-based tech firm founded in 2008 as a spin-out from Abertay University, has significantly shaped Dundee’s tech ecosystem, evolving from a small startup to one of the UK’s leading mobile app and digital product developers.
With a focus on mobile apps, AI, IoT, and blockchain, Waracle has grown from a team of 10 to over 200 employees by 2024, with offices in Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London.
Its headquarters, now located at the Flour Mill in Dundee, underscores its commitment to the city.
History
Waracle emerged during a period when Dundee was already gaining recognition as a hub for video game development, thanks to titles like Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings. Building on this legacy, Waracle capitalized on the city’s tech talent pool, bolstered by Abertay University’s pioneering computer games degree and the University of Dundee’s STEM programs.
Early on, Waracle focused on mobile app development, addressing a growing demand for digital solutions in industries like fintech, healthcare, and energy. A key milestone was its 2019 acquisition of £4.8 million in investment from BGF, which fueled expansion and increased its Dundee workforce from 50 to a targeted near-doubling.
The 2024 acquisition of Screenmedia, a Glasgow-based design and software agency, added 60 staff and expanded Waracle’s expertise into transportation, retail, and the third sector, bringing its total workforce beyond 200.
Leadership transitions, including Chris Martin stepping down as CEO in 2024 after a decade, and David Tuck taking over, signal a focus on future growth, with ambitions to double the company’s size in two to three years. Back in 2021 Chris discussed the journey that led him to Waracle, the potential of mobile technology, and the secrets to building company culture in a remote environment.
Role in Dundee’s Tech Ecosystem
Waracle has been a cornerstone of Dundee’s tech ecosystem, contributing in several key ways:
- Economic Growth and Job Creation: Waracle’s growth from a small team to a 200+ employee firm has created high-skill tech jobs in Dundee, a city historically reliant on industries like jute and journalism. Its £20 million annual revenue (as of 2024) and work with blue-chip clients like Lloyds Banking Group, Scottish Power, and Roche have brought significant economic activity to the region.
- Innovation and Industry Diversification: While Dundee is renowned for gaming, Waracle has broadened the city’s tech profile by excelling in mobile app development, digital health, fintech, and energy solutions. Projects like AR apps for Clydesdale Bank and oil & gas firms, and partnerships with health organizations like MyWay Digital Health, highlight its role in diversifying Dundee’s tech output beyond gaming.
- Collaboration with Academia: As an Abertay spin-out, Waracle maintains strong ties with local universities, tapping into their talent pipelines. Abertay’s games and cybersecurity programs and the University of Dundee’s STEM research provide Waracle with skilled graduates, reinforcing Dundee’s status as a talent hub.
- Attracting Investment and Attention: Waracle’s success has drawn external investment, such as the 2019 BGF funding, and highlighted Dundee as a viable tech hub. The 2016 Tech Nation report recognized Dundee’s growing expertise in mobile development, with Waracle cited as a key player, enhancing the city’s global reputation.
- Workplace Culture and Community Impact: Recognized as the UK’s 12th best workplace by Newsweek in 2022, Waracle’s people-first approach—offering hybrid work, cost-of-living payments, and upskilling programs—sets a standard for tech firms in Dundee. Its involvement in community initiatives, like Techscaler’s events at the Flour Mill, fosters networking and entrepreneurship.
- Supporting Infrastructure Development: Waracle’s presence has supported broader tech ecosystem initiatives, such as the Flour Mill’s role as a Techscaler pop-up hub and the city’s investment in 5G and full-fibre networks, which enhance Dundee’s digital connectivity.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Waracle’s 2024 financial loss and market challenges reflect broader economic pressures, but its strategic acquisitions and robust client pipeline suggest adaptability. The company’s focus on AI and digital transformation aligns with global trends, positioning it to drive Dundee’s tech ecosystem toward emerging fields like virtual production and Web 3.0.
By continuing to leverage Dundee’s academic strengths, connectivity, and lower cost base, Waracle is poised to remain a pivotal force in establishing the city as a UK tech hub, as projected by the 2021 Tech Nation report.
