A new dedicated entrepreneurial hub will open its doors in Dundee within months.
The move comes after Dundee University and Elevator, a social enterprise dedicated to creating the business leaders of tomorrow, agreed a deal to establish a new Centre of Entrepreneurship on campus.
The centre, which will follow a similar role to Elevator’s Aberdeen base, will bring together commercially-focused educational activity with a practical programme designed to fast-track business growth.
The centre will be open to the student body and members of the public.
Elevator chief executive Gary McEwan, who is also professor of entrepreneurship at the university, said Dundee was on the threshold of an entrepreneurial renaissance.
“This new centre in Dundee will follow our best practice and focus on creating an inspiring environment in which budding entrepreneurs, students and supporters of enterprise, can come together to get free advice, generate ideas, receive support, mentoring and network,” he said.
“The city of Dundee is in a very strong position to embrace innovation and diversity.
“With the £1 billion master plan to regenerate and reconnect the waterfront to the city centre there are real opportunities across all sectors technology, food and drink, tourism and biotechnology which entrepreneurs can utilise.
“We are committed to helping support and realise the ambitions of the city.”
The new centre will be created within a renovated retail space on campus and will feature a flexible open-plan creative space, breakout meeting rooms, hot-desks and a mini auditorium.
It is hoped it will lead to a more joined-up approach to business creation and development in the city.
Graham Nicholson, director of student services at Dundee University, said: “This agreement with Elevator will create a dedicated enterprise space on campus which will be a centre of graduate entrepreneurship for the city, available for the use of students, graduates and others and giving them access to a wide range of services and support.
“The university community generates a vast amount of knowledge, much of which can be turned to enterprise and innovation.
“This new agreement will help our potential entrepreneurs realise their vision.”
Dundee-based Entrepreneurial Scotland chairman Chris van der Kuyl welcomed the development.
“As a beacon for entrepreneurial activity I know the centre will play a key role in helping Dundee realise its potential and play its role in Scotland becoming the most entrepreneurial society in the world,” he said.
“We look forward to working with the team in the months and years ahead.”