A pair of Aberdeen entrepreneurs have been given an unexpected boost with the backing of some of Scotland’s sporting heavyweights.
With the support of Robert Gordon University’s start-up accelerator, Ross McLean and David Porteous, have been building their own coffee business Poco.
The duo have been working to link bean roasters from across the country with potential customers to offer a subscription service.
Their team has also opened up a coffee bar in the university’s Sir Ian Wood Building, where students can sample drinks from some of the bean blends on offer.
And while the company is new, it has already had interest from big names including several members of the Scotland rugby squad.
The team were sent close to 50lb of beans to tide them through the gruelling World Cup in Japan this summer, with many members praising the wares.
Zander Fagerson, Greig Laidlaw and Stuart Hogg all took to social media to show their appreciation for the gift.
Mr Porteous said: “It was cool to work with these rugby guys.
“They all really love coffee so it was good to know it wasn’t wasted on them”
Mr McLean said the news has helped the company build even more momentum.
“RGU and their accelerator have been great,” he added.
“The people make it what it is, and there’s so much mentorship to help you turn the crazy ideas in your head into something that’s commercially viable.
“We’re surrounded by people wanting to do the same thing as us, so we’re being motivated to grow and develop even further.”