Highland business leaders of the future latest to join entrepreneurial programme led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
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RISING business stars of the future have received a boost after more than 20 young entrepreneurs were accepted onto a programme aimed at moulding the next generation of talent.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise's (HIE) IMPACT30 scheme has welcomed 21 new entrepreneurs on board its year-long development programme.
Delivered in partnership with business skills training consultancy, Skillfluence, the fully-funded business growth programme is targeted at people aged 35 and under who are in key decision-making roles, and offers bespoke support from industry specialists.
This is the eighth group to start the programme since it launched in 2018, and so far 138 different enterprises have benefited from it.
IMPACT30 provides relevant and innovative training designed to challenge, support and inspire participants to refine their creative thinking and build successful businesses.
Dog-loving trail runner, Don Campbell, from Inverness, is just one of the new faces to join the programme. He combined his two passions to start his company, Speedy Dogzales in 2021 and now takes up to five dogs each day out for runs.
He said: “I’ve invested a lot of energy and money into the company but I love it. I’d like to take things to the next level by learning about things such as behaviour, training, nutrition and first aid and be able to offer my expertise and advice to customers.
"I hope I can accelerate my progress through the programme and become more financially secure while gaining more knowledge and also inspiring others to do the same and chase their dreams.”
Other new participants include business figures from Fort William, Elgin and Orkney, among others.
Claire Munro, senior project manager with HIE’s Northern Innovation Hub team, said: “IMPACT30 is about expanding and strengthening the growing network of young entrepreneurs in the Highlands and Islands, by fuelling their ambition, confidence and commitment and helping them to succeed.
“Since the programme began in 2018, it has proved extremely popular and we would urge any young entrepreneurs who have not yet taken part to explore how IMPACT30 could benefit them.”
IMPACT30 forms part of the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH), which is funded with £11 million from the UK Government, £1.2 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and £2 million from HIE.
The hub is also part of the Inverness and Highland City Region deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315 million in investment from the UK and Scottish governments, Highland Council, HIE and the University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
UK government minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, said: "It's great to hear the positive benefit the IMPACT30 programme is already having on young business owners.
These talented entrepreneurs are the future of our economy and I cannot wait to see how the programme's support will help them further their innovative businesses. The UK government is investing £11 million in the Northern Innovation Hub and levelling up communities across Scotland with more than £2.2 billion."
The IMPACT30 programme was originally offered to enterprises in the Highland Council area. HIE has provided additional funding to ensure that the programme is now offered to organisations across the Highlands and Islands.
Eighteen people from enterprises taking part in the latest IMPACT30 programme gathered at Eden Court, on Thursday, March 16 for a day-long workshop.
More information is available on the IMPACT30 page of HIE’s website.
