THE HUNTER FOUNDATION SEEKS WANT-TO-BE UNICORNS FOR NEW SCALE UP SCOTLAND PROGRAMME

Ambitious entrepreneurs looking to scale their business are being invited to apply for Scale Up Scotland, a programme founded by The Hunter Foundation and Entrepreneurial Scotland which is designed to support unlocking the scale up economy. 

Free to successful applicants, the programme is recruiting its third cohort, having supported 36 businesses to date. An 18-month programme, it supports businesses with the potential and desire to grow sales beyond £20 – £30 million. In the last year total revenue for businesses in the second cohort grew by over 100% to £54 million and job creation was up 80%, despite the impacts of Covid-19.

The programme offers a blend of experiential, business and peer-to-peer learning, taking entrepreneurs through the critical components of business scale-up. Those taking part will learn from domestic and international business leaders. 

Grant Fraser, CEO at Digitonic Ltd, who attended the first Scale Up Scotland programme, commented: “I knew instantly that this initiative could significantly help accelerate growth within my company by the quality of speakers and training that was planned. 

“What impressed me most is the collaboration and bond that Scale Up Scotland helped to facilitate amongst the highly respected business leaders of the great companies that were involved. It was fantastic to be around like-minded people that were going through the same growth pains and to work as a team to come up with solutions based on sharing experiences. The course also significantly improved my business network. 

“Since joining Scale Up Scotland, Digitonic’s revenue has increased by 332%, our net profit has seen double digit increases and our head count has more than trebled. Whilst our HQ is in Scotland, our revenue is 100% international and we have ambition to extend our reach in to even more global markets.  

“This initiative has definitely encouraged me to be more ambitious, be a better leader and a more successful entrepreneur. I could not recommend it more highly to business owners looking to really scale their businesses.”

Scale Up Scotland further supports the findings of a report published by Oxford Economics earlier this year which indicated radical change was needed to significantly boost Scotland’s economic growth, including fostering more scale-ups.

Sir Tom Hunter, founder of The Hunter Foundation, said: “The need for scale-ups as we emerge from this crisis has never been greater; start-ups are great but scale-ups are where the real economic growth will come from for Scotland.

“It is vital that businesses across Scotland which have ambition to grow are given the opportunity and support to scale. And to scale effectively.

“Designed to deliver high, dynamic growth, Scale Up Scotland was created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Through sharing experience, access and networks, the programme supports business leaders to build world-class scalable businesses in 18 months. We’ve seen remarkable results from businesses who have gone through the Scale Up Scotland programme to date and look forward to watching the next cohort drive their business forward and achieve their growth aspirations.”

Scale Up Scotland will support up to 20 businesses during this programme. The cost of the programme is funded by The Hunter Foundation and Scottish Enterprise, however participants are required to meet their own travel and accommodation costs. The formal delivery of the programme takes place on Thursdays and Fridays with an approximate eight-week gap between each event. 

For more information on the programme visit scaleupscotland.co.uk. To request an application form email scaleup@thehunterfoundation.co.uk. The closing date for applications is Friday 16 July, with shortlisted applicants invited for interview during July and August.