Prime Highlights
- Programme to provide entrepreneurial mentoring, project funding, networking and Kickstart grants over one year.
- BT aims to support 30 million people, businesses and families with digital skills by 2030.
Key Facts
- HIE and BT launch DaTE programme to support around 100 Highlands and Islands entrepreneurs.
- HIE partners with Techscaler to host roadshow events across the region.
Background
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched a new programme with BT to support around 100 entrepreneurs and organisations across the Highlands and Islands.
The Digital and Technology Entrepreneurship (DaTE) programme will run for one year, offering funding, mentoring and support for digital innovation, business growth and skills development.
The initiative targets start-ups and small organisations working to develop new digital and technology-based products, services and processes. Participants will gain access to expert advice, mentoring and grant funding aimed at turning innovative ideas into commercial opportunities, alongside entrepreneurial mentoring, project funding, networking opportunities and Kickstart grants.
Theresa Swayne, team leader for digital economy at HIE, said digital and technology founders play a vital role in the region’s future prosperity and that the programme would help great ideas flourish across both urban and rural areas. She added that the partnership with BT would help unlock the region’s entrepreneurial potential.
The programme forms part of BT’s Connect for Good initiative and complements Openreach’s ongoing rollout of gigabit-capable broadband under Project Gigabit.
Richard Marsh, responsible business director at BT, said the initiative would help entrepreneurs access the skills, networks and support needed to grow, supporting BT’s ambition to reach 30 million people, businesses and families with digital skills by 2030.
Scotland’s economy secretary Stephen Flynn welcomed the programme, saying it would help unlock entrepreneurial talent across the Highlands and Islands. HIE is also working with Techscaler to host a series of roadshow events, connecting entrepreneurs with wider mentoring, education and investor networks.