Pioneer start-up accelerators | ONE

Aspiring entrepreneurs, business founders and pioneers of the region’s future economy will benefit from ONE's most extensive ever programme of start-up support in the new year, backed by the Scottish Government’s North East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund.

If you have a digital, food and drink, or life sciences business idea that you need help getting off the ground, signing up for the sector-specific accelerators can help you take your next steps.

The fully-funded start-up programmes are for entrepreneurs and founders based in north east Scotland. They each provide advice and support from industry experts, introduce tools and insights to understand customers and markets and allow you to learn from experienced business people and successful start-ups. There is even the potential for follow-on grant funding for your next steps on your start-up journey.

Are you a coder with a great tech idea but no business experience? Perhaps you are an engineer with a med-tech idea that could change healthcare delivery but have no experience in the sector? Or have you perfected a favourite recipe in lockdown and dream of manufacturing it as a food or drink product?

ONE’s start-up accelerators are for you and anyone with the ambition and drive to turn their digital, food and drink or life sciences business dream into reality.

ONE is a private sector leader and catalyst for entrepreneurial growth and economic diversification in north east Scotland. It has supported more than 100 start-ups across the region’s key sectors to date. And more than 400 businesses are currently engaged in ONE-led growth, innovation, leadership and market development programmes in digital; food, drink and agriculture; life sciences and tourism to transform the region as it transitions to a low-carbon economy.

Now ONE is set to work with the region’s next generation of ambitious and innovative start-ups, helping them pioneer new ideas, go further faster, grow and create new jobs.

Those interested in joining the digital or food and drink accelerators need to sign up by 31 December, and for life sciences, the deadline is 7 January 2022.

Apply now and get involved to test and refine your business idea using proven tools, industry insights, advice, and support from sector experts with real start-up, product, sales, and market development experience. You will explore customers and markets and create a practical plan for successful start-up and growth.

Jennifer Craw, chief executive of ONE, said: “This is a unique opportunity to be a pioneer. Our fully-funded accelerators can help you turn an idea into a successful start-up. You will get advice and support from industry experts, develop a deeper understanding of customers and markets, learn from people who have led start-ups, and plan for success. Most importantly, these are sector-specific practical programmes. You'll discover things that can really make a difference to your start-up. And there's even potential for follow-on grant funding for your next steps. Be a pioneer in 2022 and accelerate your start-up journey.”

To find out more and apply for an Opportunity North East start-up accelerator visit opportunitynortheast.com/pioneer.