Entrepreneurial Scotland launches crowdfunder to tap into business talent

A crowdfunding initiative to make Scotland the most entrepreneurial society in the world within ten years has been launched.
From left: Entrepreneurial Scotland boss Sandy Kennedy with veteran business leader John Watson. Picture: contributed.From left: Entrepreneurial Scotland boss Sandy Kennedy with veteran business leader John Watson. Picture: contributed.
From left: Entrepreneurial Scotland boss Sandy Kennedy with veteran business leader John Watson. Picture: contributed.

Charity Entrepreneurial Scotland has unveiled the bid – known as #FundTheFuture – to help entrepreneurs fund their business goals.

The scheme aims to harness the “talent, drive and ambition” of future Scots entrepreneurs – considered even more vital to boost business growth in the aftermath of the pandemic.

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The crowdfunding campaign, which will run until April 23, aims to pull in cash to fund university students who will work with businesses in Scotland and abroad under the organisation’s Saltire Scholars programme. Particular attention will be paid to helping prospective entrepreneurs from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

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The money will also create a Bursary Scheme – a first for Entrepreneurial Scotland – to financially help budding business leaders with a firm emphasis on social entrepreneurs whose ideas can benefit society.

Entrepreneurial Scotland boss Sandy Kennedy sees the benefits of entrepreneurship to the economy and the creation of jobs in the future as “colossal” and vital to help kick start-the post-pandemic economy.

He said: “We know more entrepreneurs are out there – we just need to harness their potential and vision and help turn their ideas into a success, which will help the economy, create jobs and ensure Scotland is a global leader when it comes to entrepreneurship.

“With #FundTheFuture Entrepreneurial Scotland can create thousands of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to deliver on their potential. And it’s worth remembering we are building on hundreds of years of endeavour as a nation whose story has in so many ways been defined by entrepreneurs.”

The campaign has won the backing of key Scottish entrepreneur John Watson, who chaired the eponymous printing giant until his retirement in 2015. He said: “I applaud this effort to raise money to help not just young people but seasoned entrepreneurs. It is also about helping our country and building on that traditionally-strong Scottish entrepreneurial flair, which is synonymous with our nation.”

Entrepreneurial Scotland describes itself as a “community of current and future entrepreneurial leaders worldwide, who are ambitious, globally minded and have the potential to be the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders who will contribute to Scotland’s success”.

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