Elevator to open Centre for Entrepreneurship in Dundee
Published On Tue 1 Aug 2017 by Grant Hill
In a unique collaboration with the University of Dundee, Elevator is set to open the doors of its latest Centre for Entrepreneurship and is calling for applicants to take part in a new business Accelerator programme.
Designed to promote and support creative, innovation-driven companies from across Dundee, Tayside and beyond, the centre – located within the University of Dundee campus – represents a £250,000 investment by Elevator, the University and other key partners.
The new centre will aim to drive innovation within businesses and commercialise new and existing technologies across many sectors including life sciences, digital media, gaming and other creative sectors.
Companies will be able to take part in Elevator’s intensive 12-week Accelerator Programme, gain access to funding opportunities, build an extensive network and take advantage of local Business Gateway assistance.
Inspired by Elevator’s headquarters in Aberdeen, the centre will be located in the University’s Heathfield Building. Aiming to foster a culture of entrepreneurship, the centre will be open to all aspiring entrepreneurs and innovation driven companies across Tayside and beyond. The centre is the result of a unique partnership with the University and its operation is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Designed to be used by early stage, existing companies and creative innovators, the centre will act as a hub for free advice on starting or scaling your company, design led practice, commercialisation and funding or investment opportunities, positioning Dundee as the regional powerhouse for entrepreneurship as the city continues its own £1bn redevelopment.
Elevator, a social enterprise, is committed to supporting the entrepreneurs and companies of today and the future.
By providing world-class business support and advice, nurturing enterprising behaviour and providing affordable office space, Elevator has helped support more than 2,000 companies start up or scale up over the last year, exceeding its target by 30%.
It is hoped the opening of the new Centre for Entrepreneurship will provide a catalyst for further success and allow Elevator to support more enterprises than ever before.
Professor Gary McEwan, chief executive of Elevator and honorary professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Dundee, said: “The renaissance vision created by the people of Dundee demonstrates a high level of progression and ambition for the city and the region. This dynamic outlook is partly driven by the recognition being achieved by the University of Dundee.
“The time is now right for this powerful alliance to begin the work of supporting more start-up and scale-up businesses, to provide the city with significant enterprises that will flourish, creating jobs and wealth for the area. This new centre will support the entrepreneurs who will drive the future economy.
“The dynamic design aesthetic on display in our headquarters in Aberdeen is being recreated here in Dundee. Our teams are looking forward to seeing it come alive with entrepreneurial spirit in September, when we open the doors to our first Cohort.”
Brian McNicoll, manager of enterprise and entrepreneurship at the University of Dundee, added: “Dundee is already renowned for its digital and computing success and as the city continues its £1bn development, this exciting new Centre for Entrepreneurship will help capitalise and drive our aims further to make Dundee a hub of entrepreneurship and the regional destination for enterprising start-ups.”
Councillor Lynne Short, Dundee City Council city development convener said: "This is a fantastic move that will help to inspire people with design ideas to transform them into business propositions.
"Along with depute convener Mark Flynn, I recently visited Elevator 's operation in Aberdeen and we were extremely impressed by the enthusiasm and skill that they are focusing on this new venture in Dundee.
"I am thrilled to see yet another positive partnership emerges in the city to help drive our economy forward."
The new Centre for Entrepreneurship is due to open in late August, with an official launch event taking place in September.
Applications for a place to take part in Elevator’s 12 week flagship Accelerator programme are open now. Places will be limited and competition is expected to be high.
Notes to editors:
About Elevator:
Elevator works across Scotland to help facilitate the start-up and growth of new and existing businesses. Delivering Business Gateway services, Elevator currently engages with 2,500 start-up businesses and assists around 1,000 organisations to growth annually with advisory support. With the launch of the centre for entrepreneurship, Elevator aims to support an additional 200 start-ups per year through stimulating interests in launching and growing businesses, as well as welcoming global talent onto the Elevator Programme accelerating businesses. Elevator supports the entrepreneurs, business leaders and employees of today and tomorrow by providing expert business advice, teaching entrepreneurship and enterprising behaviour.
About ERDF:
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is one of two European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs) that are provided by the European Union to invest in ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive’ growth in its member states. The ERDF aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion by correcting imbalances between regions. For the period from 2014 to 2020, the Scottish Government has received €476 million from the ERDF.
ESIFs are distributed to lead partners through Strategic Interventions (SIs): large-scale allocations of more than €15 million, structured around specific themes and with specific aims. Lead partners are policy directorates, agencies and local authorities with the capacity and capability to manage the funds and provide match funding of their own to increase the overall levels of investment.
The Scottish Government is the Managing Authority for the European Structural Funds 2014-20 Programme. For further information visit our webpages or follow @scotgovESIF.
About Dundee’s Centre for Entrepreneurship:
The Elevator Centre for Entrepreneurship in Dundee is the collaborative result of a partnership with the University of Dundee to foster entrepreneurship amongst the university faculty, student body and wider region and populace.
The operational costs of the Centre has been funded in part thanks to ERDF and Business Gateway – a publicly funded service contributing to the economic wellbeing of Scotland by providing access to free business support services.
Full of resources designed to be utilised by business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, the Centre will act as a hub for free advice, enterprise and network building, as well as position Dundee as the regional powerhouse for entrepreneurialism as the city continues its own £1bn redevelopment.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
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Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk