Open Tech Calendar

Entrepreneurial Spark and The Royal Bank of Scotland would like to invite you to our #TechTalks event to showcase startup and entrepreneurialism in 36 St Andrews Sq Branch, Edinburgh and to give you the details of the Edinburgh Hatchery.

The session, specifically designed for Edinburgh tech startups and entrepreneurs, will:

- Explore what it takes to make your tech business successful
- Look at typical pain points and challenges for tech startups and entrepreneurs
- Explain how Entrepreneurial Spark works and how it supports businesses
- Hear from Richard Peers, Director Financial Services Industry, Microsoft on technology innovation within Financial Services

Working on mindsets and behaviours, with a focus on an action orientated #GoDo mentality, Entrepreneurial Spark has an enviable record in making start-ups a success with 82% of the businesses they work with still trading a year later, compared to the usual 40% rate. Since 2012 they have supported 350 businesses with a combined turnover of £41m – creating over 1,000 jobs.

RBS recently announced a commitment to support the country’s entrepreneurs and pro-actively help them grown and develop. A key part of this announcement was a pledge to set up a network of eight business accelerator hubs in partnership with Entrepreneurial Spark, the world’s largest free business accelerator - located in cities across the UK known for their entrepreneurial dynamism.

The unique accelerator and partnership with Entrepreneurial Spark will provide office space, mentoring and access to fundamental startup support in bank premises. We’re looking for up to 80 companies or budding entrepreneurs to join this 6-18 month programme of hands-on coaching and mentoring, an initial #GoDoBootcamp and regular workshop events. Thanks to RBS this support is completely free of charge to entrepreneurs, regardless of whether they bank with RBS or not – and taking no equity.

From February, the Edinburgh Hatchery is being relocated into RBS’s HQ Gogarburn to move into a state of the art and purpose built location. Also housed here will be the wider Scottish ecosystem, including Scottish Edge Fund, We are the Future, Informatic Ventures, Princes Trust, Business Gateway, Entrepreneurial Scotland and many more. Crucially, the Hatchery will also be seated alongside the RBS Technology Team, giving businesses access to their expertise, insight and network – an invaluable resource for all tech startups.

Tickets for this free event are available on the eventbite link below: