Young Entrepreneurs in the Highlands and Islands Complete Innovative Business Support Programme

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Thirteen youthful entrepreneurs hailing from the Highlands and Islands have successfully completed the IMPACT30 business support programme. This year-long initiative, led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and executed by business skills training consultancy Skillfluence, is designed to nurture and cultivate the next generation of business leaders. The programme offers fully funded bespoke support from industry specialists to individuals aged 35 and under in key decision-making roles.

Seven out of the 13 entrepreneurs who recently completed the programme gathered at the Glen Mhor Hotel in Inverness to commemorate their accomplishment. Among them is Jana Drongova, the proprietor of The Upholstery Project in Inverness, who enrolled in IMPACT30 in December 2022. Jana’s involvement in the programme has significantly elevated her business. She lauds the programme as an invaluable resource for budding entrepreneurs, offering a combination of workshops, coaching sessions, and networking events that have assisted her in navigating the business landscape.

Another IMPACT30 graduate, Tyler MacKenzie, founder of TJM (Scotland) Ltd, expressed his appreciation for the mentorship and the network of like-minded entrepreneurs that he was able to access. His Inverness-based company specializes in providing manned security services across Scotland, and he attributes the knowledge acquired through IMPACT30 as indispensable to the expansion of his business.

As the seventh group concludes the programme, a fresh cohort of 22 young entrepreneurs is gearing up to embark on their year-long journey. The UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, commended the accomplished entrepreneurs who completed the programme and underscored the significance of innovative businesses to the economy.

Deborah Tait, project manager with HIE’s Northern Innovation Hub team, underscored the triumph of IMPACT30 in broadening and fortifying the network of young entrepreneurs in the region. She encouraged other youthful entrepreneurs to explore the advantages of the programme and contemplate participation.

The IMPACT30 programme constitutes a crucial initiative that supports and fosters the talent of young entrepreneurs in the Highlands and Islands, bolstering their ambition, confidence, and dedication, and propelling them towards success. Backed by the UK Government’s substantial investment in the Northern Innovation Hub, the programme is poised to continue delivering a positive impact on the region’s business landscape.

The completion of the IMPACT30 programme by these thirteen young entrepreneurs is a testament to the success and effectiveness of the initiative. Their unwavering dedication and commitment will undoubtedly make significant contributions to the economic development and advancement of the Highlands and Islands.

As a reputable and influential programme for young entrepreneurs, IMPACT30 continues to shape and drive the entrepreneurial sector in the region, furnishing invaluable opportunities for growth and development.

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