Moray businesses on fast track

TWELVE "on the up" Moray firms are the first to benefit from a business accelerator scheme.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Business Gateway have appointed entrepreneurial support organisation Elevator to deliver the 13-week programme at Horizon Enterprise Park in Forres.

The intensive "Moray Accelerator powered by Elevator" kicked off on September 18 and will see the companies immersed in an educational and business development environment.

The businesses range from pre-start to early stage and cover a diverse mix of sectors, from hospitality and tourism to construction and third sector.

Local companies taking part include IT Central, a technology centre designed to ease IT struggles which also offers technology clubs for children; R-evolution Scotland from Moray School Bank, a social enterprise with ambitions to end child poverty; Mini Footprint, a sustainable clothing company with a goal to minimise the global carbon footprint and reduce waste; Stephen Elton, the founder behind a sock manufacturer; Heavenly Favour Ltd which creates made-to-order vegan, sulphates and parabens-free hair and body products; AVVA Scottish Gin, Tony Weir Fencing Contractor Ltd; Recruitment Bee; Dogrobes; Manga Hair Extensions; candle maker Gorse and Still; and Creative Retreats Scotland.

Throughout the fully funded programme, the firms will have the guidance of seasoned entrepreneurs, access to a national and international network of mentors and dedicated one-to-one business advice.

Donna Chisholm, Moray HIE area manager, said: "Following a successful bootcamp, I am delighted to see our first cohort established for the Moray Business Accelerator. We have a cross-section of Moray businesses participating and our focus now is to ensure the programme is tailored to make the experience as engaging and valuable as we possibly can for our founders."

Richard Cormack Corrigan, Elevator’s Moray accelerator manager, said: "This is the first time we have operated an accelerator in Moray and, with the support from HIE and Business Gateway, we expect this programme to strengthen Scotland’s entrepreneurial offering.

"Having met with the cohort and delivered the programme’s first weeks, I have witnessed first-hand the drive and determination of each. I am excited to see what success lies at the end of each individual’s accelerator journey."

Each firm's journey can be tracked on Elevator’s Facebook page. For further information visit www.elevatoruk.com.

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