Highland science and tech mentoring programme opens for business
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A free programme to help Highland life science and technology businesses grow faster has opened for new applications.
Developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the six month Pathfinder Accelerator programme provides fast-track training and mentoring, which will be delivered completely online.
Virtual taster sessions are arranged for June 24 and July 28 to offer an introduction to the programme and provide= an opportunity to meet the coaches and ask questions.
Pathfinder Accelerator will start on September 9 and is now open for applications from existing and start-up companies from across the Highland Council region.
It will be delivered by training specialist Skillfluence with additional support and investment advice from Investing Women Angels.
Sodi Kakouris of Let’s Get On With it Together (LGOWIT), which helps people with a long-term health condition to self-manage, took part in a previous Pathfinder Accelerator programme.
This led to LGOWIT developing e-learning modules based on their face to face support programmes and toolkits, for use by public sector and corporate organisations, enabling support to continue through the pandemic.
Mr Kakouris said: “The Pathfinder programme provided the right advice at the right time for our project and it was a great experience. The programme really helped us hone our pitch, do our research and find the right price point. It helped us build up our confidence in promoting our business commercially. It’s great to know that we have made a difference to people’s lives during difficult times.”
Andrea McColl, senior development manager life sciences at HIE, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming another group of businesses to our Pathfinder Accelerator soon. Together with our new partners Skillfluence and Investing Women Angels, we are excited to continue the successful programme and support more businesses to move forward with their ideas and succeed.”
Skillfluence director Alison Gray added: “We’re delighted to be leading the Pathfinder Accelerator programme alongside Investing Women Angels. The programme helps existing life science or technology businesses fast track their growth aspirations and also supports early stage businesses to develop and commercialise innovative ideas.
“Commercial success of any new product or service depends on developing a strong business model and reaching the right market. With the support of our partners Investing Women, we are confident we can successfully guide Pathfinder Accelerator participants through this process by providing expert insight.”
To register for the June 24 taster session, please visit:
www.hie.co.uk/events-and-training/pathfinder-accelerator-programme-taster-session-june/
For the July 28 taster session, go to:
www.hie.co.uk/events-and-training/pathfinder-accelerator-taster-session-july/
