Impact
The project delivered several significant outcomes:
- Created connections with ScottishEDGE resulting in automatic entry to competition finals for participants
- Shared learning resources between Borders College, University of Edinburgh and RBS
- Built entrepreneurial capacity in a region outside the central belt
- Established an entrepreneur-in-residence to drive up the profile of entrepreneurship in the region
- Facilitated upskilling of college staff and students in data and AI technologies
- Connected students and local businesses through scaleup pitching events, building networks and fostering knowledge exchange
This initiative demonstrated how educational institutions can play a pivotal role in building regional entrepreneurial ecosystems, particularly in areas outside major cities, creating pathways between rural communities and established innovation hubs.
View the Borders College Start Up Case Study 2023-24 video
Long-term impact
Following the success of the initial project, Borders College launched a second "Start-Up" initiative, funded by an alternate source due to the impact of the first phase of this project. This new phase aimed to broaden the scope across all college sectors, embedding entrepreneurial skills in both staff and students. The focus includes high self-employment areas such as hair, beauty, and construction, while also introducing students to innovative approaches in health and social care, computing, and agritech. Additionally, the project extended its engagement to regional schools, extending the original corridor across secondary, further, and higher education.
Key Achievements to Date:
Student Engagement: In the first half of the project, 140 students have participated in various events so far. 29 students have signed up for a start-up competition, supported by bespoke workshops designed to help launch business ideas and connect them to support mechanisms originally established like ScottishEDGE, South of Scotland Enterprise and Business Gateway. This competition has also been offered to students from Dumfries and Galloway College.
Staff Involvement: 21 college staff members and 6 secondary school staff have engaged in the Start-Up Project activities, which included 4 sector-specific Q&A sessions, 3 workshops, 2 internal networking events, and 2 national conferences to date. This has been led by an Entrepreneurial Lead employed by the college on a project-term basis.
Start-Up Hub: A key component of the project is the creation of an identifiable space at the front of the college where students can network, collaborate, and work together. This has been achieved and will be launched after Easter.
Long-Term Vision: The funding received for both iterations of the project has been crucial in enabling these activities, which would not have been possible otherwise. Borders College aims to establish itself as a leading Entrepreneurial Campus, embedding entrepreneurial activities across all sectors. This initiative provides a pathway for regional students to explore opportunities both nationally and internationally, supporting regional growth and development.
By fostering an entrepreneurial spirit and providing robust support mechanisms, Borders College is aiming to pave the way for long-term success and innovation in education.