The Scottish EDGE, an organisation which supports entrepreneurs, is delighted to have found a business base at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship. The team had moved in on a temporary basis in November and the Hunter Centre has now offered ongoing accommodation until the team move permanently to RBS in Gogarburn in late summer.
CEO Evelyn McDonald said "We are delighted to be based in the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde Business School for the next few months. Not only is Strathclyde a triple accredited business school, but Strathclyde is also the only Business School in Scotland to have been awarded the Association of Business School's Small Business Charter (Silver) which recognises business schools with an exceptional level of proven commitment to the small business sector and with a track record of ‘actively supporting the growth of small firms, actively engaging with other stakeholders in the growth agenda and providing their students with relevant start-up support'.
"Given this, it is a fitting place for us to be. With thirteen research and teaching staff and almost 30 doctoral researchers, we have access to cutting edge research on entrepreneurship in Scotland. The team at the Hunter Centre will benefit from looking at the case studies of the business we support and are looking to assist us to track the progress of the winners as they develop, grow and, hopefully, internationalise. We will continue to work together with the Hunter Centre for mutual benefit after our move to Gogarburn."
The Scottish EDGE is led by a Board of seasoned entrepreneurs, bankers and public sector supporters. In essence Scottish EDGE is a £5m+ fund endowed by serial entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, the Royal Bank of Scotland PLC and the Scottish Government. The majority of its funding is from the private sector.
Historically the Scottish EDGE was run by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise alongside various partners; however in August 2014 Sir Tom and RBS agreed to extend the success of the fund and lead in its delivery going forward.