A £4million scheme to support entrepreneurs has been launched by the first minister.
The initiative will see established and successful entrepreneurs link up with up to 40 people each year who demonstrate the potential to launch their own venture.
Entrepreneurial mentors who will select the candidates include James Watt, co-founder of BrewDog, Leah Hutcheon, founder of online scheduling business Appointedd, and Chris van der Kuyl, co-founder of video game developer 4J Studios.
Open for entry early in the new year, the programme will recruit candidates from anywhere in the world, on the basis they relocate or establish their business in Scotland.
The successful cohort will be mentored and funded as they develop their ideas, receiving “incubation” with one of the scheme’s partner organisations.
Launching the scheme at the Start-up Summit in Edinburgh, an annual event to help new businesses, Nicola Sturgeon said: “We want to ensure the most talented entrepreneurs, from Scotland and elsewhere, have the best opportunities to develop their ideas here, bring them to market and create the successful new companies we need for our economy to continue to grow. The Unlocking Ambition Challenge is a fresh and innovative approach to how we can make this a reality. By tapping into the experience of Scotland’s most successful business people, as well as the great companies and institutions based here, we can unlock the potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
Elevator delivers Business Gateway support for start up firms in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Tayside, and has been invited to be a delivery partner for the scheme.
Graham Morgan, deputy chief executive said: “We are especially delighted to have been invited to be a delivery partner of Unlocking Ambition and look forward to participating in its success across our region. The north-east is a thriving hub of entrepreneurship and innovation. This exciting initiative providing further mentorship, support and funding to future business leaders, and will ensure our economy and the creation of jobs and opportunities continues to be driven forward.”