Latest news with #AnaStewart
STV News
2 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Scottish Government backing ‘engines of innovation' at colleges and universities
The Scottish Government is 'fostering and supporting' entrepreneurial talent at colleges and universities, the Deputy First Minister has said, with £4.4m of funding announced for schemes to help convert research projects into new businesses. Kate Forbes said Scotland's universities and colleges were 'the engines of innovation' as she revealed details of three new projects which aim to turn their research into 'high-growth businesses' that will create jobs and boost the economy. Scotland's chief entrepreneur Ana Stewart welcomed the move, saying: 'This is an ambitious package which positions Scottish institutions as drivers of start-up creation and growth.' As part of the work, £2.9m will go to a proof of concept fund, which will explore the commercial potential of research projects. There will also be £800,000 for a spinout pipeline project, to be led by the University of Strathclyde, which will share expertise across universities, culminating in a summit where innovators will pitch to investors. The Scottish Government is also providing £700,000 for an entrepreneurial campus blueprint initiative to help college students develop business skills and link up with investors. Ms Forbes said: 'The Scottish Government is fostering and supporting entrepreneurial talent as part of strategic investment to capitalise on Scotland's reputation as a start-up nation.' She added: 'The economic opportunities presented by this are enormous. 'Our universities and colleges are the engines of innovation. They are known the world over as the home of some of the greatest ideas and inventions ever made, and can present real solutions to the challenges we face. 'This new investment underlines our commitment to realising the economic potential of the incredible work taking place across Scottish universities and colleges.' Ms Stewart said: 'The world's leading entrepreneurial economies are often powered by universities with strong entrepreneurial cultures.' She added: 'I look forward to collaborating with universities to maximise the impact of this funding.' Professor Sir Jim McDonald, the principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, said the new proof of concept fund would 'help to translate academic innovation into real-world economic and social impact'. He added: 'As the lead institution for the spinout pipeline project, and a leading entrepreneurial campus, the University of Strathclyde is also pleased to continue to play a central role in strengthening Scotland's entrepreneurial ecosystem. 'By harnessing the collective expertise of our universities, we aim to accelerate the journey from breakthrough ideas to market-ready ventures – creating high-value jobs, attracting investment, and supporting the next generation of innovators.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
23-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Government appoints new Chief Entrepreneur
The Scottish Government has appointed businesswoman Ana Stewart as its new Chief Entrepreneur until July 2026. Ms Stewart, who has chosen to take up the role on an unpaid basis, will be expected to act as the chief adviser to Government on growing the start-up and scale-up economy. This role includes key priorities such as implementing the Pathways report which Ms Stewart authored with the first Chief Entrepreneur, Mark Logan. The 2023 paper sets out ways of supporting women in entrepreneurship and began with the brief to 'address the root causes of female under-participation in entrepreneurship'. The Chief Entrepreneur will work on optimising the existing programmes and initiatives, growing Scotland's risk capital market and working with universities to increase the number of spinout companies who reach scale. She will collaborate closely with investors and entrepreneurs, ensuring that Government policy and delivery is shaped by business, and making sure entrepreneurship is instilled in the education and skills systems, with clear routes established to setting up a business. L-R Ana Stewart, Chief Entrepreneur and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes PHOTO The Scottish Government The appointment was announced as Ms Stewart accompanied Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes on a visit to Inspirent, a social enterprise based in Hamilton. The body will help the government deliver the new £700,000 round of The Scottish Government's Ecosystem Fund. This pot of money will help to strengthen Scotland's start-ups. The application process for the fund is to be fully digitised this year with a bespoke online portal. This will enable faster decisions and expanding opportunities for community led projects in Scotland. Since the launch of the fund in 2021-22 the Ecosystem Fund has awarded £2.6 million to 75 projects. The Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, said: 'It is vital to Scotland's economic resilience that we support our business community – particularly those taking their first steps. Ana Stewart is an exceptional talent with deep experience of starting, scaling and investing in some of Scotland's best companies, and will ensure we are well-placed to deliver this support. 'Scotland is home to some of the world's brightest business minds, ideas and innovators. The Scottish Government is committed to helping deliver an end-to-end support network that nurtures this talent and helps this and future generations of business founders to thrive. 'To deliver truly meaningful, strategic support, it is vital we continue to listen to and learn from entrepreneurs and the wider business community. Ana Stewart brings the insight, lived experience and connections needed to shape and accelerate our policies and deliver for Scotland's start-up talent.' Ms Stewart's decision to take up the £130,000 role on an unpaid basis is linked to the resignation of the first Chief Entrepreneur Mark Logan amid criticism surrounding his pay packet. Ms Stewart said: 'Leveraging my own lived experience as an entrepreneur and investor, I am looking forward to contributing to the development and optimisation of the Scottish Government's entrepreneurship strategy. 'Entrepreneurship is the engine room for economic growth and it's essential that we provide more pathways, increased access and accelerated funding to current and future founders, whilst ensuring private and public sector are aligned in making that happen.' Founder of Ecosystem Builders Network, a previous Ecosystem Fund recipient, Bruce Walker said:'The Ecosystem Fund has been a vital catalyst for Scotland's entrepreneurial community, enabling grassroots organisations to provide meaningful support to founders. It has allowed us to deliver targeted programmes to help entrepreneurs build resilient businesses, scale their impact and connect with global networks, as well as strengthen ecosystem builders across Scotland. 'For many early-stage founders, this support comes at a critical time, bridging the gap between ambition and action. Beyond individual ventures, the fund has helped strengthen the connective tissue of the wider ecosystem, empowering local leaders to foster inclusive, sustainable growth across sectors. Its impact continues to ripple through the community, creating a more collaborative, vibrant entrepreneurial landscape in Scotland.' The application portal and further information can be found on a new dedicated Ecosystem Fund website: Ms Stewart set up a non-profit Pathways Forward and The Scottish Government will award a grant of £50,000 to the body to support the organisation while the Chief Entrepreneur takes up her new position. Ana Stewart in discussion on a visit to Inspirent with the Deputy First Minister PHOTO The Scottish Government Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes at the National Robotarium announcing funding for start up businesses with Mark Logan right and Ana Stewart his successor in the red jacket behind May 2024 PHOTO ©The Edinburgh Reporter Like this: Like Related
The National
22-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Kate Forbes announces Scottish Government chief entrepreneur
Businesswoman and investor Ana Stewart has been appointed the Scottish Government's new chief entrepreneur. The Deputy First Minister made the announcement on Tuesday while on a visit to Inspirent, a social enterprise in Hamilton. She was joined by Stewart (below), who said she was "looking forward" to contribution to developing the Scottish Government's entrepreneurship strategy. Ana Stewart (Image: .) Stewart will be Scotland's second chief entrepreneur following the departure of ex-Skyscanner chief Mark Logan, who left the role in October after amid "draining" attacks from right-wing politicians and the media. She will take up the role until July 2026. READ MORE: Supermarkets urged to stock more Scottish produce as new figures revealed Stewart is a tech entrepreneur and investment partner, sitting on a number of boards including pet wellness company Bella & Duke and identity authenticaton software start-up Condatis. In 2017, she became the first female board member of the Scottish Football Association in its 145 year history. In 2022, she was appointed chair of an independent review into female entrepreneurship, and co-authored the "Pathways: A new approach for women in entrepreneurship" report with Logan in 2023, which found that just one in five of Scotland's businesses are led by women. Forbes and Stewart visited the Inspirent offices in Hamilton to mark the appointment and launch a new round of the Scottish Government's Ecoysystem Fund. Inspirent is the delivery partner of this year's £700,000 fund, which is focused on developing the strength and impact of Scotland's start-up community by funding organisations and programmes that support new companies to start and grow. The application process is being fully digitised from this year through an online portal, enabling faster funding decisions and expanding opportunities for grassroots initiatives and community-led projects across Scotland. Since the fund launched in 2021-22, £2.6 million has been awarded to 75 different projects. Commenting, Forbes said: 'It is vital to Scotland's economic resilience that we support our business community – particularly those taking their first steps. Kate Forbes'Ana Stewart is an exceptional talent with deep experience of starting, scaling, and investing in some of Scotland's best companies and will ensure we are well-placed to deliver this support 'Scotland is home to some of the world's brightest business minds, and innovators. The Scottish Government is committed to helping deliver an end-to-end support network that nurtures this talent and helps this and future generations of business founders to thrive. READ MORE: Former SNP MP in call for independence meeting ahead of national strategy gathering 'To deliver a truly meaningful, strategic support, it is vital we continue to listen to learn from entrepreneurs and the wider business community. 'Ana Stewart beings the insight, lived experience, and connections needed to shape and accelerate our policies and deliver for Scotland's start-up talent.' Stewart said: 'Leveraging my own lived experience as an entrepreneur and investor, I am looking forward to contributing to the development and optimisation of the Scottish Government's entrepreneurship strategy. 'Entrepreneurship is the engine room for economic growth and it's essential that we provide more pathways, increased access and accelerated funding to current and future founders, whilst ensuring private and public sector are aligned in making that happen.'
