Entrepreneurs launch east coast ‘hatchery’

By DOMINIC JEFF
Published on 23/02/2013 13:47

SOME of Scotland’s top entrepreneurs gathered in Edinburgh yesterday to open a third “hatchery” for the ESpark business incubator scheme.

Stagecoach co-founder Ann Gloag, who will be the “entrepreneur in residence” at the South Gyle incubator, was joined by Sir Tom Hunter and Sir Willie Haughey, who are mentors at ESpark’s already established hatcheries in Ayrshire and Glasgow respectively.

ESpark has already helped 130 start-up businesses and will have space for up to 35 further “chiclets” at the new centre, which will be run in partnership with Edinburgh’s Napier University and the city council.

Gloag said: “In these challenging economic times, it is important we encourage would-be entrepreneurs to make a success of their fledgling businesses and the hatchery provides the right kind of environment to achieve this.”

The incubator is supported by Royal Bank of Scotland and accountancy firm PwC, and all the space, infrastructure and equipment is provided for free to fledgling businesses.