In short: The Scottish GovTech Cluster’s logo is a unicorn, Scotland’s national animal since the 12th century, drawn in the style of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh stained glass window and set in Saltire blue. It also nods to the start-up meaning of unicorn: a privately held company valued at over $1 billion.
Key takeaways
- The Cluster chose the unicorn for its logo; the post says it has been Scotland’s national animal since the 12th century and features on the Royal Coat of Arms.
- In technology, a unicorn is a privately held start-up valued at over $1 billion, a term coined in 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee.
- The unicorn is drawn in the style of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh stained glass window, honouring the Glaswegian architect and Art Nouveau pioneer.
- The font colour is a hue close to Saltire blue, a nod to the Scottish flag and a symbol of steadfastness, loyalty and truth.
Our choice of the ‘Unicorn’ for the Scottish GovTech Cluster is not a decision made lightly, but a deliberate alignment with powerful symbolism, heritage and a commitment to innovation.
Why did the Cluster choose a unicorn?
The unicorn, a mythical creature of grace, purity and power, is not just a fancy of fantasy, but a potent symbol deeply rooted in Scottish history. It has been the national animal of Scotland since the 12th century and has graced the Royal Coat of Arms for centuries, representing strength, freedom and transformation. Just as the unicorn breaks the bounds of reality with its captivating allure and impossibility, our technology venture aims to transcend the conventional and explore the uncharted frontiers of technological possibilities.
What does ‘unicorn’ mean in start-up terms?
Notably, in the contemporary world of technology start-ups, the term “unicorn” has taken on a new significance. It’s used to describe a privately held start-up company valued at over $1 billion. The term was coined in 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee, choosing the mythical animal to represent the statistical rarity of such successful ventures. Our aspiration is to become a ‘unicorn’ in this sense, embodying the spirit of innovation, agility and remarkable growth that characterises these rare and successful enterprises.
Why a Charles Rennie Mackintosh style?
To honour the Scottish heritage and infuse it into the Cluster’s identity, we chose to depict the unicorn in the style of a Charles Rennie Mackintosh stained glass window. Mackintosh, the iconic Glaswegian architect, designer and artist, was a pioneer of the Art Nouveau movement and a beacon of innovative thought. His work, particularly in stained glass, embodied a unique blend of function and form, intricacy and simplicity, tradition and modernity. It exemplifies a revolutionary spirit that dares to redefine aesthetics, just as we strive to redefine technology.
The unicorn, rendered in Mackintosh’s distinctive style, showcases not only our respect for tradition and heritage, but also our commitment to innovation and avant-garde thinking. It brings together the ethereal beauty of the mythical beast and the exquisite complexity of Mackintosh’s artistry. The intricate linework, the interplay of light and colour and the stunning visual harmony reflect our pursuit of technological excellence, innovative design and user experience.
What does Saltire blue represent?
The chosen font colour, a hue close to Saltire blue, is a nod to the Scottish national flag, the Saltire or St Andrew’s Cross. This shade of blue, while representative of the Scottish skies and seas, is also symbolic of steadfastness, loyalty and truth. It anchors the Cluster’s identity in Scottish roots while conveying our core values and commitment to our users.
In essence, the unicorn rendered in the style of a Mackintosh stained glass window, set amongst the Saltire blue, is not just a logo, but a powerful visual narrative. It encapsulates our journey, our vision and our roots. It is a symbol of our ambition to lead, innovate and inspire, just like the unicorn that dares to dream and the artist who dared to redefine. It is a testament to our commitment to honouring our heritage while pioneering the future, bridging the past and the present, the mystical and the practical, the artistic and the technological. It is our badge of honour and our promise to you – our Cluster membership.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the Scottish GovTech Cluster use a unicorn as its logo?
The unicorn is a symbol of grace, purity and power rooted in Scottish history. The post says it has been Scotland’s national animal since the 12th century and appears on the Royal Coat of Arms. It also reflects the Cluster’s aim to transcend the conventional and explore new technological possibilities.
What is a unicorn in technology and start-ups?
A unicorn is a privately held start-up company valued at over $1 billion. The term was coined in 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee, who chose the mythical animal to represent the statistical rarity of such successful ventures. The Cluster says its aspiration is to embody the innovation, agility and growth of such companies.
Why is the Scottish GovTech Cluster logo in a Charles Rennie Mackintosh style?
The Cluster depicts the unicorn in the style of a Mackintosh stained glass window to honour Scottish heritage. Mackintosh was a Glaswegian architect, designer and artist and a pioneer of Art Nouveau, whose work blended function and form, tradition and modernity. The post links this to the Cluster’s wish to redefine technology.
What does the Saltire blue colour in the Cluster logo mean?
The font colour is a hue close to Saltire blue, a nod to the Scottish national flag, the Saltire or St Andrew’s Cross. The post says the shade represents the Scottish skies and seas, and symbolises steadfastness, loyalty and truth, anchoring the Cluster’s identity in Scottish roots.