Entrepreneurial Scotland offers one membership with three tiers; emerging for ambitious individuals with an entrepreneurial mind-set who share an appetite for career and leadership development; growing for owners of growth companies and senior and director-level organisation leaders, delivering a tailored peer-level programme to those who are turning over up to £1m; and leading for founders, owners and Chief Executive Officers or Managing Directors of leading and scale-up organisations.
As a member of Entrepreneurial Scotland you have access to our mentoring programme, and a wide range of opportunities including jobs and events as well as a brand new online learning resource in association with GoodPractice
Why are you involved with Converge Challenge?
Entrepreneurial Scotland strives to join the dots and actively supports entrepreneurial activities within Scotland. Converge Challenge brings together the most ambitious and creative thinkers from academia, research & business. We recognise that there are other organisations making a significant impact in this area by doing different things, which is why we support Converge Challenge in their focus on students and staff of all Scottish universities and research institutes to help them to bring to market novel products and services.
By offering membership of ES we extend the network of support available to Converge Challenge participants, shortlisted candidates and in fact all entrants, during each stage of their entrepreneurial journey. It also increases their access to successful entrepreneurs who they can learn from to support their development as Converge Alumni.
How have you supported the Converge Challenge to date?
Entrepreneurial Scotland has supported Converge Challenge since the introduction of the Entrepreneurial Spirit award in 2015. In 2016, Sandy Kennedy, Chief Executive of Entrepreneurial Scotland presented the prize to Anna Renouf for Orrin Equestrian, designers of award winning, innovative saddles and an alumna of the University of the Highlands & Islands.
As part of Anna’s prize she will be joining us at the Entrepreneurial Scotland Summit that takes place on 4th May this year at The Gleneagles Hotel. In 2017, Entrepreneurial Scotland will extend our support to all winners of the main Converge Challenge who will all receive 12 months’ ES Growing membership and opportunities to attend key ES events throughout the year to hear and learn from Bill Gammell, Mark Beaumount and Ann Budge to name a few!
Describe some industry developments, trends or ways Entrepreneurial Scotland can support the Converge Challenge Class as well as alumni in 2017?
Entrepreneurial Scotland has a network for you, whatever stage you are in your career. We exist to help our members to thrive, providing the support and connections that they need to grow. Being part of the Entrepreneurial Scotland network allows you to access amazing people and exciting opportunities.
We are delighted that past Converage Challenge Alumni such as Chris Hughes, Estendio; Rebecca Pick, Pick Protection; James McIlroy, Eurobiotix and this year’s Converge Challenge joint winner Susanne Mitchske, MindMate have become members of our fast growing network. By surrounding yourself with great people, diversifying your network, and putting yourself in different environments you can engage with the people who can help to inspire you, develop your skills and connect you with others who can help you succeed. At Entrepreneurial Scotland we know just who they are!
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give an academic entrepreneur or new start up?
Never underestimate the power of networks! An important lesson to learn as a business leader is that you simply cannot know everything. It’s vital that you remain curious about how others work and that you keep learning. Being innovative means that you will have to learn from others and be able to adapt, identifying those able to share their skills and knowledge; those who keep coming up with new ideas, efficiencies, and solutions. This collective learning is extremely powerful. There is a growing body of research that suggests it is found in dynamic organisations which connect inspiring and innovative people such as Converge Challenge participants or alumni.
Why is attending events important?
We often hear people say “I’d love to go to that event but I have no time!” But each time you turn down an invitation you are missing out on opportunities you may not even have known you were looking for. The Entrepreneurial Scotland network is vibrant and energetic, creating more chances for serendipitous collisions to occur. So make the time to put yourself in environments that are different and ignite your entrepreneurial mindset.
Entrepreneurial Scotland is proud to be ecosystem partners of Converge Challenge and support them in many ways. For more information on Entrepreneurial Scotland or how to join our network please contact us on 0141 444 7159 or email info@entrepreneurialscotland.com
