As part of the University of St Andrews Alumni Weekend 2026, the Entrepreneurship Centre welcomed alumni entrepreneurs back to St Andrews for An Afternoon with Founders – a relaxed and reflective gathering designed to reconnect founders, spark conversation and celebrate the entrepreneurial journeys that have emerged from the University community.
Held in Lower College Hall, the event brought together alumni from a wide range of industries, sectors and stages of venture creation. Centred around the theme ‘From St Andrews to Startup Life’, the afternoon created space for honest discussion about the realities of building a business after graduation.
Rather than focusing on polished success stories, the event encouraged founders to share the lessons, turning points and challenges that shaped their journeys. The result was an open, engaging conversation that resonated strongly with attendees and reflected the collaborative spirit of the growing Alumni Founders Community.
Honest Founder Stories and Shared Experiences
Following networking and afternoon tea, guests heard from three alumni founders who have taken very different paths into entrepreneurship:
Oliver Clem, co-founder of Solas Healthcare, reflected on his transition from a two-decade career in pharmaceutical manufacturing into founding a healthcare venture focused on improving patient access to medicinal cannabis in the UK. He shared insights into navigating regulation, overcoming industry stigma and building a business with a strong social purpose.
Dr Arianne Ross, founder of Jumelé, spoke about identifying opportunities at the intersection of healthcare and innovation. Drawing on her experiences in medicine and venture capital, she discussed the realities of building a company as a solo founder, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and what she has learned while creating a platform that connects healthcare companies with practising clinicians.
Charlie Aitken, founder of Rum Cay Rum, shared the story behind launching a premium spirits brand inspired by his family’s connections to The Bahamas. He spoke about the value of research, persistence and staying to true to a clear mission, value and set of values while building a business in a highly competitive market.
While each founder’s journey was unique, common themes emerged throughout the discussion: resilience, adaptability, learning from setbacks and the importance of community.
A Founder-to-Founder Conversation
One of the defining features of the afternoon was its conversational format. Guided by questions exploring how St Andrews had influenced each founder’s journey, what had surprised them after graduation and what advice they would offer their younger selves, the panel felt less like a formal presentation and more like a discussion among peers.
This approach continued during the audience Q&A and table discussions, where attendees explored their own entrepreneurial questions and exchanged experiences with fellow alumni. The informal format created opportunities for meaningful connections and thoughtful conversations that continued long after the panel concluded.
Building the Alumni Founders Community
The event also marked an important milestone in the continued development of the University of St Andrews Alumni Founders Community.
Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Centre, the gathering highlighted the growing network of alumni who are founding ventures, investing, mentoring and contributing to entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world. As the community evolves, the aim is to create more opportunities for founders to connect, share expertise and support one another across industries, geographies and stages of growth.
The enthusiasm and engagement throughout the afternoon demonstrated the value of creating dedicated spaces for alumni entrepreneurs to reconnect and learn from one another.
Looking Ahead
Following the success of An Afternoon with Founders, the Entrepreneurship Centre looks forward to building on this momentum through future Alumni Founders Community events, mentoring opportunities and collaborations.
A special thank you to Oliver Clem, Dr Arianne Ross and Charlie Aitken for their openness, generosity and willingness to share their experiences and to everyone who joined us for the event.
The conversations may have started in St Andrews, but they are only just beginning.
Reconnect. Reflect. Build what’s next – together.