Two weeks of events inspiring youngsters to get into digital industries in Dundee has been launched in the city today.
The Dundee Digital Fortnight is being organised by the city council with the aim of inspiring switched-on kids to turn their handiness with tech into promising careers in tech.
The message from city bosses is that Dundee is open for tech business - whether that is in the city's acclaimed gaming scene or in other areas like app development.
Local gaming mogul Chris van der Kuyl, chairman of Minecraft console developers 4J Studios, says the event aims to encourage more local children and teens to think about a career in tech in Dundee.
Van der Kuyl is an investor in local tech firms through his firm Chroma Ventures, and is also behind the Water's Edge digital business hub at City Quay.
"The number one item on the agenda for digital companies is getting talent," he told Dundee Live.
"As an investor in companies, the one thing we're saying to companies looking for investment is: 'where are you getting the people?'
"Making sure the general population realises Dundee is a place you want to be, that you don't want to just study here then look for the next train out, is important."
The Digital Fortnight programme is made up of a series of school programmes and external events to get youngsters interested in the technology sector.
One of the key goals is to show kids that working in the digital sector doesn't just mean programming - but can include other roles in writing, project management and cybersecurity.
Meg Brough, a Dundee City Council digital learning support officer, is testament to how unconventional skills can prove useful in tech.
As a holder of an English degree, she didn't know she could work in tech until she was offered a job doing writing and research for a games firm in Dundee.
"A lot of kids don't realise that things like an English degree could take them into working in a games company," she said.
"People have started to realise Dundee is an exciting place to be - look at the gaming companies and tech start-ups we have.
"I would hope that the group of partners we've assembled for the Digital Fortnight will lead to bigger and better things."
Cheryl Torano, of Abertay University's cyberQuarter cybersecurity research centre, said: "Graduates coming out of courses like our Ethical Hacking programme will quickly progress into jobs that are both highly skilled and personally rewarding."
The Digital Fortnight initiative has been organised by Dundee City Council alongside universities, D&A College, Amazon Web Services, and other skills development bodies like Showcase the Street, DYW Dundee and Skills Development Scotland.
Amazon's events include an opportunity for kids to get to grips with its Deep Racer cars - sensor-packed model vehicles that 'learn' how to drive themselves on mini racetracks using artificial intelligence - and a showcase targeted at teen girls on women in tech.
The event, running from November 8 to 21 is also running alongside a highly anticipated e-sports gaming tournament at the DCA. The arts venue will also host a Dundee and Angus college showcase of computing and esports courses, along with its own gaming contests.
Dundee is becoming a recognised hub of technology companies, but hopes to encourage people who study at the likes of Abertay University to not just learn in the city but to stay and build businesses here too.
Among the city's recent tech tenants are gaming firm Hutch, known for mobile racing games like Rebel Racing, F1 Clash and Top Drives.
Grand Theft Auto maker Rockstar Games has also recently returned to its spiritual home in Scotland with the acquisition of Ruffian Games. It has rebranded the company as Rockstar Dundee.
Cllr Mark Flynn, Dundee City Council's city development convener, said: "If you get people into digital courses at university the hope is they stay and develop small businesses that then grow into bigger businesses in the city.
"There's much more to the digital sector than just playing with a phone but it shows kids have the potential to develop their skills to move up to the next level."
Van der Kuyl added: "Dundee is the perfect sized city to work in - you're never more than 15, 20 minutes away from where you need to be whatever mode of transport.
"And the last few years have taught us that the physical barriers of business are dropping all the time.
"What we're trying to show is that you don't need to go to Glasgow, Edinburgh or even Silicon Valley to do business - and Water's Edge shows that's possible. We've fired the starting pistol."
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