Network at a glance
- Supporting Ignition and Accelerator portfolio companies
- Expertise tailored to company needs and stage
- Connections to specialist organisations and existing programmes
- Part of the Scottish Universities Fund
Network overview
Turning innovation into a successful business takes more than capital alone. Founders and leadership teams also need access to expertise and connections that help them develop their products, reach customers and manage growth.
The Business Growth Support Partner Network is being developed to bring these capabilities together around companies supported by the Scottish Universities Fund.
The Network aims to connect portfolio companies with specialist organisations, drawing on existing programmes and resources to provide support suited to their needs. It should complement investment through the Ignition and Accelerator Strategies, strengthening the pathway from early commercialisation through to scale.
By coordinating support alongside investment, the Fund aims to help more university-linked businesses build the capabilities needed for long-term growth in Scotland.
Why develop the Network?
Scotland has a strong ecosystem of organisations supporting innovation and business growth. However, navigating the support available and identifying the right expertise can be challenging for founders.
The needs of businesses also change as they develop. An early-stage company may need help validating its product or finding its first customers, while a growing business may require experienced leadership, operational expertise or support to enter international markets.
The Network aims to bring together complementary partners to help companies access relevant support at the right time.
Building on existing capabilities, this approach aims to improve coordination across the support landscape and help businesses translate investment into sustainable growth.
Who the Network is for
The Network is being designed to support university-linked businesses receiving investment through the Fund’s Ignition and Accelerator Strategies.
It aims to support founders and leadership teams at different stages of development, from early commercialisation through to growth and scale. Engagement should reflect each company’s sector, capabilities and ambitions.
Business growth support approach
The Network aims to bring together organisations able to provide specialist support, refer suitable businesses to the Fund, or contribute in both ways. The Fund will act as a convening hub, identifying portfolio companies’ needs and connecting them with partners that have relevant expertise and experience.
Support will draw on partners’ existing programmes, resources and networks across key areas, including:
- Leadership and talent: Founder development, leadership capability, talent strategy and board development.
- Commercial growth: Product and market fit, business model development, sales and marketing.
- Product and operations: Product development, regulatory planning, supply chains and operational scaling.
International growth: Export opportunities, market entry and international partnerships.
Related Programmes
Important information
The Scottish Universities Fund is interested in hearing from businesses who may be eligible to receive capital funding. Please note that the Fund vehicle itself is not yet available for inward investment by third party institutional investors. The material on this page is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute a financial promotion of the Fund or a solicitation or recommendation in relation to the Fund