A not-for-profit scheme set up by Sir Richard Branson to provide company start-up loans will open its first Entrepreneur Hub in Aberdeen.
Virgin StartUp said yesterday its new centre in the Granite City – a UK first – would be “a test bed for a possible future roll out”.
A spokesman for the scheme added: “It will act as a networking, communications, strategy and mentorship hub for our entrepreneurs, start-ups and business advisors.”
Key people involved in Virgin StartUp Scotland, including Scottish Enterprise chairman Bob Keiller, the former chief executive of Aberdeen-based Wood Group, will be attending a launch event for the north-east facility next week.
Virgin StartUp, whose loans are backed by UK Government cash through the Start Up Loans Company, has already has allocated £15million in funding to 1,500 businesses across England.
The scheme’s roll-out north of the border was announced earlier this month.
Scottish businesses already benefiting from loans worth a total of more than £50,000 include LoveSweets.com, a Fife-based sweet subscription service, and Banchory wheelie bin-cleaning venture Bin Bath.
Branson’s start-up centre roll-out takes off in Aberdeen
