From Scotland to the big leagues: Raven Controls goes global
Raven Controls is a Scottish tech company reshaping safety and security at major events. By winning prestigious US clients, it shows how Scottish innovators can scale globally when ambition meets strong international support.
24 February 2026 | 6 minute read
Scotland’s proud history of scaling innovation is built on the idea that homegrown entrepreneurs can compete and win on the world stage.
Raven Controls is a shining example of this strong business acumen. The Glasgow scale-up now ranks among the world’s most complex event and venue operators. It's backed by international support to open doors for it to achieve global impact.
Founded in 2017 by Ian Mcleod Kerr, CEO, Raven Controls specialises in cutting‑edge digital incident‑management software. It now turns over several million pounds in annual revenues, and the firm's financials and headcount are expected to double by the end of the year.
The firm’s cloud‑based platform enables event operators to log, track and respond to real‑time safety and security issues across arenas, sports stadiums, festivals and major global events. With mobile reporting, artificial intelligence (AI) powered insights and public-facing features like Raven Eye, the system gives event managers and major spots leagues real time oversight of everything happening in their venue. This enables them to better protect even the largest crowds.
Scoring for success in the FIFA World Cup
Raven’s technology has rapidly proved itself effective in high‑pressure environments. This is not surprising given the technology was developed from emergency planning principles based on the founders' experience in emergency and counter terrorist planning at Police Scotland,
The technology has been used across major events, including COP26, Glasgow’s European Championships, and the UCI Cycling World Championships
This bold approach is paying off. Most significantly, Raven is partnering with Booz Allen, a global technology and consulting firm that specialises in analytics and digital solutions, to present a joint security solution ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Ian Mcleod Kerr, CEO of Raven Controls.
Entering the North American market with confidence
Raven Controls’ move into the US market in early 2025 represented a boost in its trajectory. Faced with a huge sports and entertainment market, the company quickly realised the market presented both a challenge and an extraordinary opportunity.
It developed a clear internationalisation strategy that focused on building credibility, accelerating network access, and positioning itself close to major decision‑makers.
To refine its market entry, Raven Controls worked closely with Scottish Enterprise’s international arm which helped with market research. This identified a large concentration of major professional sports leagues, venue operators, and national security organisations across the US.
The innovator now employs five people in North America, giving it better access to customers, partners and strategic opportunities.
Support to power rapid growth
Breaking into the US market required speed, credibility and deep networks. Through Scottish Enterprise's international support, Raven has benefitted from:
- Specialist market research on US sporting and security venues to inform its market selection and customer targeting.
- International grant support to help it attend high‑value events such as the 2023 MLB Security and Operations Conference.
- Participation in New York City Tartan Week tech cohort in 2023, which expanded its investor and partner visibility.
- Introductions through Scottish Enterprise USA and Canada field teams that enabled it to set influential meetings.
- GlobalScots guidance around market setup and legal considerations.
- Participation in a International Strategy Workshop, helping Raven refine its export roadmap.
How Scottish Enterprise can help your business thrive internationally
Raven Controls’ rise across the Atlantic shows what’s possible when Scottish ambition meets the right international backing. If your company is exploring new markets, building global partnerships or preparing for international expansion, the support is here to help you take the next step.
The firm is a flagship example of Scotland’s internationalisation in action. It’s winning high‑value contracts, which proves how technology developed in Scotland can help protect millions of people worldwide.
Scottish Enterprise offers tailored support to help you identify the right markets, build your exporting capability, and take your next steps with confidence.
Whether you're new to exporting or looking to expand into new territories, you can access expert advice, market intelligence, training programmes, and a personalised export progress report.
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Learn about the support we offer to explore new markets and export opportunities.
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Learn more about the support we offer to explore new markets and export opportunities.
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