Scotland has much support to offer for entrepreneurs and other would-be entrepreneurs. Here’s a selection:
- SIE (Scottish Institute for Enterprise) – http://www.sie.ac.uk/
- EPIS (Edinburgh Pre-Incubation Scheme) – http://www.epis.org.uk/
- Launch.Ed – http://www.launch.ed.ac.uk/
- Business Gateway – http://www.bgateway.com/
- PSYBT (Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust) – http://www.psybt.org.uk/
- ICASS (Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland) – http://www.icass.co.uk/
- EDTC (ED Technology Support Centre) – http://www.e-design-scotland.org.uk/
- Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce – http://www.edinburghchamber.co.uk/
- Saltire Foundation – http://www.saltirefoundation.com/
Some of these organisations target a specific kind of entrepreneurs. PSYBT for example is able to help young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 25. Once their requirements are fulfilled, they have financial grants available. SIE helps higher education students, and recent graduates. EPIS and Launch are focused on Edinburgh University staff and students, whilst Business Gateway is a UK broad organisation open to pretty much anyone.
There are also other groups and societies where entrepreneurs and other inspired people can be found: the Edinburgh Entrepreneurs Club (E-Club) run by the Edinburgh Business School is one of those. About twice a month, they have talks given by entrepreneurs, either local or somehow connected to the Silicon Valley. People such as Bill Juice, Alison Van Diggelen, and Randy Haykin.
Update: As Doug Richard one day said: “In Scotland, you can pick a stone and throw it in any direction, you will hit somebody trying to help you start a business”. Thanks to Ian for his help, added ICASS, EDTC, the chambers of Commerce, and the Saltire Foundation.
StartupCafe 
Great post! I wonder if the community can come up with some more?
I know that some of the Chambers of Commerce are often able to help fledgling businesses – does anyone have any practical experience or contacts?
If your business involves intellectual property you may also be interested in ICASS, whom I have found to be extremely helpful: http://www.icass.co.uk/
If your product idea strays into the electronics space the Electronics Design Support Center are another great place to look: http://www.e-design-scotland.org.uk/
Best regards,
Ian
P.S. Not quite a support organisation, but the Saltire Foundation (http://www.saltirefoundation.com/) is at the forefront of entrepreneurial programs in Scotland. There is an undergrad program, and a Fellowship which I am currently participating in. At the moment I’m doing an Executive Internship with Sun, and learning about entrepreneurship Silicon Valley style.
Do you know if any of these organisations provide grants? I know the BG has a £1000 thing but stopped it.
Cheers!
So there are two grants being thrown around at the moment. One is with Launch.ed and another is with Prospekt,
details below:I’ve decided to put all the info in a separate blog post. You can find it here.Some other links for entrepreneurs:
ICASS – free advice on intellectual property issues, I’ve found them very helpful: http://www.icass.co.uk/
Electronics Design Support Center: If your product has electronics in it, you can get help from these guys: http://www.e-design-scotland.org.uk/
Local Chambers of Commerce often have support, advice and grants availble too – it’s always worth contacing them and seeing if they can help.
I have also heard some good things about http://www.venturenavigator.co.uk/, especially their resource library.
Ian
P.S. It’s not exactly a source of support, but the Saltire Foundation http://www.saltirefoundation.com are providing fellowships and undergraduate internships for prospective entrepreneurs. I’m on their fellowship program, and I’m currently in Palo Alto learning about entrepreneurship Silicon Valley style!
Thanks Ian for all the add-ons!! Have a fabulous time in California – there’s a big artsy/music night in Sacramento today (‘Second Saturday’) so if you find yourself out that way, you may see my parents dancing on the streets =)