More than two dozen fledgling businesses in the north-east have been offered a helping hand through a first-of-its-kind university programme.
The Robert Gordon University Startup Accelerator has been designed to help entrepreneurs set up their business models, manufacture products and create local jobs.
A total of 28 teams have been awarded funding of up to £10,000 each and will have access to training and mentorship from other students, staff and alumni from RGU and North East Scotland College.
The finalists were whittled down from 160 applicants by a panel of 40 judges including several industry experts.
John Harper, RGU principal and vice chancellor, said: “The new startup accelerator is just one of the many ways in which RGU is offering students a way to develop their careers while still in university.
“By opening access for staff and alumni from both RGU and NESCol, the university is building an open and inclusive innovation ecosystem that will have long lasting impact on the wider regional economy.”
The accelerator is being funded by Sir Ian Wood’s organisation The Wood Foundation, and will have homes at RGU’s Garthdee campus and the Opportunity North East Digital Entrepreneurship Hub.
Gordon McConnell, RGU vice-principal of commercial and regional innovation, said: “The teams have been chosen through a rigorous judging process.
“Now the real hard work begins as the teams go into an intensive mentor-led accelerator process designed to help them develop their value proposition and lead to the establishment of operational companies.”