That is why one of my messages to the entrepreneurs of tomorrow taking part in the Converge Challenge is, use all the networks and opportunities available at the start of your journey. In fact it has never been a better time for young Scottish entrepreneurs to build those connections and to seek out the knowledge and support of veteran entrepreneurs, in their goal to bring to the market the products and ideas that they know the rest of the world wants and needs.
Obviously Scottish entrepreneurs are both young and old and from a diverse background of industries and specialisms, but it is when you are young that you have an abundance of ambition, time, energy and enthusiasm as well as passion for your product and ideas.
Scotland has long been a world leader in creating, shaping and nurturing new and innovative ideas, products and industries, something which is often overlooked or undervalued. Perhaps one area which has been lacking, until relatively recently, is the establishment of a sustained entrepreneurial network in Scotland, despite the efforts of Scottish Enterprise and the banking sector, like minded initiatives are changing that.
Today Scotland is truly networked both within Scotland and worldwide, with groups and individuals on our doorstep who can say, ‘I’ve been there. I have done it!’. So alongside Converge, with its pool of the most ambitious and creative thinkers from academia, research and business, we can now claim to have a Scottish entrepreneurial culture ripe to support new enterprising individuals and ideas.
Scottish entrepreneurs helped to build the new industries which have replaced Scotland’s long gone old industries. Many of the people that Converge Challenge seek to help come from student projects and an academic base, so with Scotland’s array of world class Universities, Research Institutes and post-doctoral projects now, more than ever, is the time for entrepreneurs to exploit and use this platform to stimulate enterprise in Scotland.
With the Converge Challenge commitment to provide students and staff of Scottish Universities and research institutes the practical commercial skills which can enable them to bring their innovative products and services to the market, you have a perfect vehicle to stimulate entrepreneurial growth and create jobs, something which I am particularly passionate about.
I used to teach undergraduate engineers that they were studying their subject not just to get a job, but to create more jobs, the most fulfilling way to do that is to set up your own business. That’s where Converge Challenge 2016 comes in.
Converge has a brilliant track record for enterprise development and has seen 120 entrepreneurs go through its training programme in just 4 years. It’s also a scheme that has a track record for starting successful companies (over 50 and counting) and creating jobs across Scotland. This is only possible because we have enthusiastic people who have great ideas but who don’t really know how to start up a business, and that’s what Converge Challenge is all about.
Successful applicants will not only learn from established entrepreneurs, they’ll have access to a growing community of entrepreneurs who have seen their business dreams become a reality because they were part of the Converge Challenge.
And as for myself, I still remember the fantastic thrill of setting up a business, when as a post-doctoral member in Glasgow we made instruments for the semi-conductor industry. Sold all around the world, we started to see our product on an equipment rack in lab in Japan, with ‘made in Scotland’ on the back and our logo on the front.
What a boost to my morale and one of the many joys of being a Scottish entrepreneur. So to all staff and students at our Scottish Universities and Research Institutes I’d say, take a look at the opportunities that the Converge Challenge 2016 could provide. You could soon be joining one of the most vibrant and stimulating entrepreneurial networks in the world.
Professor Steve Beaumont OBE CEng FREng FRSE Vice Principal Emeritus at the University of Glasgow
The Converge Challenge 2016 closes on Monday 18th April at 5pm - www.convergechallenge.com
