Around 100 entrepreneurs and organisations across the Highlands and Islands are expected to benefit from a new programme designed to turn promising digital and technology ideas into growing businesses.
The one year Digital and Technology Entrepreneurship programme has been launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in collaboration with BT, combining grant funding with specialist advice, mentoring, events and networking opportunities.
Known as DaTE, the programme is aimed at start ups and smaller organisations developing new digital and technology products, services and processes across the region.
The thinking behind it is straightforward, because a good idea developed in North Uist, Caithness or Wester Ross should have the same opportunity to become a successful business as one developed in Edinburgh, Glasgow or London.
Entrepreneurs in rural and island communities can face very different obstacles when trying to find specialist technical knowledge, investment, mentors and the networks which often help young businesses grow.
DaTE has been designed specifically to help close some of those gaps.
Support will include entrepreneurial mentoring and advice alongside Technology Kickstart Grants, Technology Development Grants and Digital and Technology Start Up Advice Grants.
The programme will also work with Techscaler, the Scottish Government initiative delivered by CodeBase, on a series of events across the Highlands and Islands.
Those events will connect local entrepreneurs with wider networks offering founder education, mentoring, investor connections and support from other people building businesses.
HIE’s Digital Economy Team Leader Theresa Swayne said:
“Digital and technology business founders, and creators of new tech ideas and products, have a vital role to play in the future prosperity of the Highlands and Islands economy.
“We want to ensure that great ideas can flourish wherever they emerge, from our towns to our most rural and island locations.
“This programme will give entrepreneurs access to the skills, expertise and funding they need to innovate, grow and bring new products and services to market.
“We’re delighted to be working with BT to help unlock the region’s entrepreneurial potential.”
The programme arrives alongside continuing investment in faster broadband infrastructure across harder to reach communities through Project Gigabit.
BT Responsible Business Director Richard Marsh said:
“Digital technology is creating new opportunities for people and businesses across the UK, but talent and ambition exist in every community, not just our largest cities.
“This programme will help entrepreneurs across the Highlands and Islands access the skills, networks and support they need to grow.”
Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn said geography should not prevent an idea becoming a successful business.
“Geography should never be a barrier to turning ideas and invention into economic success.
“Scotland’s future prosperity depends on us unlocking innovation in every part of the country and The Highlands and Islands has entrepreneurial talent and ambition in abundance.
“By supporting entrepreneurs to develop new products, attract investment and build businesses rooted in their communities, this programme is an important step in unlocking even more of the region’s economic potential.”
That ability to build businesses without having to leave the Highlands and Islands matters.
Digital businesses do not need a factory beside a motorway or an office in a major city to reach customers around the world, but their founders still need access to expertise, investment and people who can help turn an idea into something commercially viable.
DaTE is an attempt to bring more of that support to where the entrepreneurs already are.
For a region separated by mountains, sea and considerable distances, digital technology has the potential to make geography less of a disadvantage and increasingly part of the opportunity.
For more information on the DaTE programme, eligibility and to apply please visit:
- Technology Kickstart Grant
- Technology Development Grant
- Digital and Technology Start-up Advice Grant
For more information about digital support for your business please visit Digital support | HIE
