13-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Home of the Year judge in plea for START programme help
He took part in the Glasgow-founded education initiative and it was so successful that two students from the programme have secured internships at his growing architecture firm, HOKO.
Now the 33-year-old is hoping others follow suit and begin helping out in the START programme too.
START is a project-based learning programme for final year school students that attempts to harness the tools and mindsets of design, entrepreneurship and storytelling to bring the experience of participating in a startup to Scottish schools.
It was launched by the High School of Glasgow and it is set to expand to more than 12 schools later this year.
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Mr Campbell said: 'Going back to school has been one of the most energising experiences of my career. The ideas, energy and ambition these young people brought to the table were incredible.
'A lot of people think you're there to teach – but I learned just as much. Seeing business through their eyes reminded me why I started in the first place. It's a two-way street: you help them, and they absolutely help you. It's access to a younger perspective, a new mindset, fresh energy and the chance to play a role in someone's first steps towards building a business.'
START Founder, Phil Ford, said: 'START is all about inspiring the next generation of business leaders and innovators. It encourages young people to draw on their own experiences and passions to identify real-world problems and to then solve them by creating new products or services which they pitch in a 'pre-seed investment round' to industry experts.
'We've witnessed the programme igniting entrepreneurial ambition in school leavers with 98% of this year's cohort saying that participating in START has encouraged them to consider starting a business in the future.
'A huge part of the confidence instilled in pupils is thanks to exposure to founders via the mentoring aspect of the programme. There's no better way to feel equipped with the necessary skills and mindsets to be an entrepreneur than by spending time with one: getting under the bonnet of a startup and learning what it takes to build a business first-hand. The pupils at John Paul Academy were helped immensely by Danny's insight, knowledge and enthusiasm and I watched them flourish under his counsel.'
Mr Campbell added: 'The team at John Paul Academy completely threw themselves into the challenge. I'm excited to have one of them join HOKO this summer — they really earned it.
'They were sharp, motivated, full of ideas, and I've no doubt they'll bring something new to the team
''We often talk about building future talent pipelines — this is how you do it. You open the door earlier. You build relationships that last. You give people a chance.
'This isn't about criticising the system, it's about creating more routes in.
'As a dad of three young boys, their futures and education is something I think about a lot, and I am actively encouraging an entrepreneurial mindset already.
'Not everyone's path will be university. And that's OK. We need a landscape where young people see multiple routes to success — whether that's higher education, apprenticeships, starting their own thing or joining a growing business to get real world experience.
'As business leaders, we have something to offer. We have something to gain too. A half-day spent mentoring could change someone's life. But it could also spark something in you.'
START is growing and is due to be offered to at least 12 schools in Scotland from August. There are still some mentorship opportunities available, get in touch to find out more:
