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Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Visit: Connecting Scotland’s Innovators

Global Inspiration, Scottish Innovation

The Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Visit aimed to strengthen connections within Scotland’s vibrant entrepreneurial community. This event, the first in a proposed series, builds on the foundation laid by the Global Inspiration, Local Action: Scaling Up Enterprise Education conference hosted by the University of Edinburgh earlier this year. The goal of these events is to facilitate collaboration between enterprise educators, practitioners, and support networks to serve Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem more effectively. With each institution bringing unique insights and resources, this initiative aims to harness that collective expertise to further support emerging entrepreneurs.

A Strong Scottish Ecosystem: Building from Collaboration

Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is known for its dynamism, with universities, incubators, and enterprise centres playing pivotal roles. The country’s institutions are active in promoting entrepreneurial education both inside and outside formal curricula. The event aimed to share best practices and explore ways to enhance entrepreneurial education throughout Scotland.

This initiative aims to continue momentum by inviting stakeholders from across the ecosystem to share their experiences and resources, with a focus on developing stronger connections between institutions.

Attendees in discussion following one of three key areas: entrepreneurial education in the curriculum, co- and extra-curricular education, and student engagement

The Event: A Day of Learning and Sharing

Hosted by the University of St Andrews’ Entrepreneurship Centre, the Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Visit provided a platform for meaningful discussion and networking. The event was opened by Derek Watson MBE, FCCA, Quaestor and Factor, Chief Executive St Andrews Innovation, Keith Millican, Director of Enterprise, Martin Shanahan, Policy Manager at the Scottish Government, and Emilee Simmons, President Elect, EEUK, who set the tone for an afternoon of collaborative learning.

The program was structured around three key areas: entrepreneurial education in the curriculum, co- and extra-curricular education, and student engagement. Dr. Shruti Narayanswami, Head of Entrepreneurial Education, and Dr. Gosia Mitka, Vice-Dean of Engagement, led the first session on embedding entrepreneurial thinking into university courses. This was followed by a presentation from Bonnie Hacking, Programme Manager for the University of St Andrews Entrepreneurship Centre, who discussed extracurricular initiatives that complement academic learning. The third session, led by student intern Aurelie Coop, focused on strategies for engaging students with entrepreneurial opportunities.

Between each presentation, attendees participated in roundtable discussions, sharing insights and experiences from their own institutions. The event concluded with a round robin session where attendees while invited to share experiences and learning.

  • Susan Walker from the University of Dundee’ Centre for Entrepreneurship showcased their various offerings, including but not limited to, workshops, competitions and masterclasses
  • Richard Corrigan from Converge highlighted their impact in business support and the upcoming 2024 Converge Awards
  • Christina Starko from Edinburgh Innovations introduced their new Enterprise Portal – a home for all online resources, external funding opportunities and more
  • David Cunningham from the University of Stirling shared details on their GreenLaunch ideas building bootcamp
  • Emilee Simmons, from Enterprise Educators UK talked about the ways in which EEUK could support various institutions with their aim to enable excellence in enterprise education

Next Steps: Expanding the Ecosystem

The Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Visit is just the beginning of an ongoing effort to strengthen collaboration within Scotland’s entrepreneurial community. The next event will be hosted by the University of Glasgow in January 2025, continuing the momentum of sharing and learning.

These events play a crucial role in fostering innovation across Scotland, providing a platform for stakeholders to connect, share resources, and build a stronger support system for entrepreneurs. By continuing to host these gatherings, Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem can remain both resilient and forward-looking, ensuring its institutions can serve their communities effectively.