Planet DDS: dental software company brings £10 million investment to Glasgow
14 Jul 2023 • 5 minute read
Glasgow will benefit from the creation of 75 new software jobs thanks to Californian dental software company Planet DDS.
Glasgow will benefit from the creation of 75 new software jobs thanks to Californian dental software company Planet DDS which has chosen to locate its technology development and support centre in Scotland. Find out how we're supporting the move.
AI dental firm chooses Glasgow
Planet DDS is a leading provider of cloud-enabled dental software. It serves over 10,000 practices and over 60,000 users in North America. The company’s AI and data management applications allow dental practices to transition to a completely digital approach.
The company's team was welcomed to Scotland by Scottish Government Wellbeing Economy Secretary, Neil Gray, during a visit to the company’s offices at The Garment Factory in the Glasgow City Innovation District.
“This £10 million investment is a vote of confidence in Scotland’s economy and will help create 75 good quality jobs. Inward investment worth £1 billion was supported by the Scottish Government and its enterprise and skills agencies from 2018 to 2021, and today’s announcement shows we are maintaining momentum towards building a more sustainable and prosperous future", said Mr Gray.
“EY’s recent independent Annual Attractiveness Survey highlighted Scotland as the most attractive foreign direct investment location outside of London, a position held for the last eight years. Scotland has huge opportunities and assets.
He added, "Businesses are increasingly making investment decisions based on factors such as our progressive approach to fair work, our net zero ambitions and the skills of our workforce. Our National Strategy for Economic Transformation aims to capitalise on these strengths and create a wellbeing economy.”
Welcoming Planet DDS to Scotland
Scottish Development International (SDI) — the international arm of Scottish Enterprise — worked closely with Invest Glasgow and Team Scotland partners to build a strong and long-term relationship with Planet DDS.
Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive Adrian Gillespie met the team during a US business trip at the start of the year. Likewise, the company’s CTO and CEO visited Scotland and met with a range of important partners and potential employees.
A compelling package of support and funding from Scottish Enterprise has been created for Planet DDS, including a grant of £985,000 as a contribution towards the company’s £10.4 million investment in its Scottish operations.
Reuben Aitken, Scottish Enterprise Managing Director of International Operations, commented:
“Planet DDS opening its technology development centre in Scotland is testament to the vibrant business environment and tech talent we offer inward investors. The company had a choice of three global locations, with Scotland winning due to our skilled workforce, world-class universities, and stimulating innovation districts.
“Companies like Planet DDS are great examples of our continuing success at attracting foreign direct investment. Alongside our partners, we’ll continue to promote the wealth of business benefits our country offers to international companies and investors.”
Glasgow City Innovation
Chief Technology Officer at Planet DDS, Angelina Hendricks, explained why Glasgow's reputation for innovation was a factor in choosing the new location.
“I am thrilled to open our new technology centre and formally welcome our new local team members. We chose Glasgow based on the technical expertise of the people here, as well as the passion for innovation we see in the community.
"We are excited to expand our Glasgow team in support of our company’s growth objectives", says Hendricks, "and to contribute to the local technology community.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, shared in the enthusiasm and is proud that the company has chosen Glasgow for its first UK base.
"This is a real vote of confidence in Glasgow’s talented and skilled workforce and our growing reputation as city of innovation, ambition, and opportunity. Creating dozens of high-quality jobs within such a hi-tech sector will help drive that reputation further. And located within our world class City Innovation District, Planet DDS is perfectly placed to secure the benefits of Glasgow’s energy, ingenuity, and creativity”, said Ms Aitken.
The 75 new high-quality jobs will be created over the next few years, with nine new staff already recruited for the company’s software engineering team.
SDI support boosts investment
Meanwhile, new research shows £1 billion of inward investment was secured with support from the Scottish Government and its enterprise and skills agencies from 2018/19 to 2020/21. An evaluation of the Team Scotland inward investment support published today shows half of new investments definitely, or probably, would not have happened without this assistance.
Approximately nine in ten survey respondents said the support had increased or safeguarded jobs in Scotland.
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