Farmer to launch iVenture talks

SIR Tom Farmer will this week kick off the latest attempt at encouraging start-up companies in Scotland with the launch of iVenture Tuesdays.

The Kwik-Fit founder is the first of a number of high achievers lined up to address a monthly series of networking sessions designed to stimulate interest in starting a business among students, researchers and anyone seeking inspiration.

The seminars are free and open to anyone who registers in advance, they will take place on the last Tuesday of every month and will be hosted in various locations around the country.

Farmer, who launched Kwik-Fit in the early 1970s and sold it to Ford, will address several hundred guests at his lecture this Tuesday entitled People Make the Business.

Others expected to address future iVenture Tuesday meetings include Jim McColl, who built the engineering group Clyde Blowers, and Richard and Douglas Hare, the founders of gaming company Outplay Entertainment.

Informatics Ventures, which is behind the motivational programme, was set up to connect, educate and support high-technology entrepreneurs in Scotland.

Colin Adams, programme director at Informatics Ventures, said: “Our work to date continues to reinforce the wealth of entrepreneurial talent across Scottish universities and we aim to support these individuals and their companies in becoming successful global businesses. The iVenture Tuesday series invites Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs to take SMEs through a motivational journey. Who better to lead these sessions than those that have already achieved it?”

Farmer said: “Now is an important time for the Scottish economy, and it is crucial for its future growth and success that we help, support and inspire tomorrow’s entrepreneurs to take the leap and start their own businesses.”

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