How to Meet People in Edinburgh Tech: Edinburgh Tech Network (ETN)

Edinburgh punches well above its weight in tech. Between the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics - one of the largest and most highly regarded in Europe - and CodeBase, one of the UK's largest tech incubators, the city produces a steady stream of engineers, data scientists, and founders. Add in the fintech talent that grew out of Edinburgh's long history as a financial services centre, and homegrown names like Skyscanner and FanDuel that started life here, and there's a genuinely large tech community in the city.

The problem isn't finding tech people in Edinburgh - it's meeting them somewhere that isn't a lecture theatre, a conference hall, or a Slack channel. That's what Edinburgh Tech Network (ETN) is for: an OkGather gathering built around meeting other people in tech over drinks, in a friendly, informal setting.

Why is Edinburgh such a good city to meet people in tech?

Edinburgh is a strong city to meet people in tech because it combines a major university research pipeline (the University of Edinburgh's Informatics department), a dense startup ecosystem centred around CodeBase, and a fintech scene built on the city's financial services history - all packed into a compact city centre where people actually run into each other.

Unlike London or Manchester, Edinburgh's tech scene isn't spread across a sprawling metro area - much of it sits within walking distance of the Old Town, New Town, and the redeveloped Fountainbridge and Quartermile areas (the latter built on the old Royal Infirmary site, a short walk from the university). Annual events like Turing Fest bring the startup and investor crowd together once a year, but for meeting people regularly rather than once a year, an informal recurring gathering fills a real gap.

What is Edinburgh Tech Network (ETN)?

Edinburgh Tech Network (ETN) is an OkGather gathering for people working in Edinburgh's tech industry - software engineers, data scientists, product managers, UX designers, and founders - to meet each other over drinks in a friendly, informal setting. It's one of OkGather's regularly organised gathering themes, hosted at a bar in Edinburgh.

ETN isn't a pitch night, a conference, or a formal meetup with an agenda and speakers - there's no stage and no name badges. It's simply a relaxed evening at the bar with other people who happen to work in tech, without the pressure of "networking" hanging over the conversation.

How does OkGather's Edinburgh Tech Network work?

OkGather's Edinburgh Tech Network works by hosting gatherings at a bar in Edinburgh exclusively for OkGather members, who join with a single membership rather than booking each gathering individually.

What that actually means for anyone thinking about joining:

• One Membership, Every Gathering: Sign up once and attend as many ETN gatherings - or any other OkGather gathering, in any city - as you like, with no per-event tickets or booking fees.
• 20% Off at the Venue: Show your OkGather member profile at the bar and get 20% off food and drinks at the gathering.
• Friendly, Informal Atmosphere: ETN is built around relaxed conversation over drinks, not pitching or formal networking exercises.
• Edinburgh-Focused: ETN gatherings are specifically for people working in or around Edinburgh's tech industry.

How do I start attending Edinburgh Tech Network gatherings?

You can start attending Edinburgh Tech Network gatherings by creating a free OkGather account, becoming a member for unlimited access, and then finding an upcoming ETN gathering that fits your schedule.

1. Create Your Account: Visit the Edinburgh Tech Network page and sign up in under 60 seconds.
2. Become a Member: Subscribe for unlimited access to every gathering OkGather runs, including ETN.
3. Show Up: Find an upcoming ETN gathering, RSVP, and head to the venue. Show your member profile at the bar for 20% off food and drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Edinburgh Tech Network

What makes Edinburgh's tech scene different from other UK cities?

Edinburgh combines a major university informatics department, a dense startup ecosystem around CodeBase, and a fintech scene rooted in the city's financial services history - all within a compact, walkable city centre rather than spread across a large metro area.

Who is Edinburgh Tech Network for?

ETN is for anyone working in Edinburgh's tech industry - software engineers, data scientists, product managers, UX designers, founders, and everyone in between - who wants to meet other people in tech over drinks in a friendly, informal setting.

Is Edinburgh Tech Network a formal networking event?

No. ETN is a relaxed, informal gathering at a bar - there are no speakers, pitches, or structured networking exercises. It's simply a friendly space to meet other people who work in tech.

Is OkGather free to use for Edinburgh Tech Network?

OkGather isn't free to join, but it's simple: a single membership gives you unlimited access to every gathering OkGather runs, including Edinburgh Tech Network, plus 20% off food and drinks at the venue.

How do I meet other people in tech in Edinburgh if I don't know anyone yet?

Join Edinburgh Tech Network on OkGather. Becoming a member gives you access to every upcoming ETN gathering - just pick one that fits your schedule, show up, and start talking.