The University of Strathclyde welcomed Neil Gray, Scottish Government Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Secretary to campus to experience first-hand the support offered to entrepreneurs.
The University has a long tradition of investing in early-stage growth companies, spin-outs, scale-ups and – more recently – spin-ins with strong Strathclyde connections and in 2020 launched its inaugural Strathclyde Inspire entrepreneurship programme, which offers every student, staff member and alumnus training and commercial opportunities.
Flagship programme
During his visit to the Technology & Innovation Centre in the Glasgow City Innovation District, Cabinet Secretary, Mr Gray, met entrepreneurs supported by the flagship programme, including Scott Black, founder & CEO, of PhD start-up company, Claymore Surgical.
The firm is developing a centralised med-tech software platform to support doctors to quickly and accurately diagnose paediatric sleep disorders and prioritise treatment to those who urgently need it.
Scott, a Strathclyde doctoral student in Biomedical Engineering, received extensive support from Strathclyde Inspire, which helps entrepreneurs from the initial idea to market and early-stage investment.
He said: “Thanks to the unwavering support, connections, and belief provided by Strathclyde Inspire, my start-up has grown from a concept to a reality. We've grown the team significantly and are now working alongside the NHS to advance clinical diagnostics.”
Strategic support
Dr Holly Butler, Head of Product Development of Strathclyde staff spin-out, cancer diagnostics firm Dxcover, which is developing a pioneering blood test for earlier diagnosis, and Daniel Brown, co-founder of student start-up Neurodapt, also outlined the strategic support they receive.
Other Strathclyde entrepreneurs at the event included Javier Gutiérrez Abril, founder of graduate tea and coffee company Caribbean Goods.
In June 2023 the Scottish Government published a report which highlights the important role Higher and Further Education institutions play in catalysing entrepreneurship and regional economic growth and sets out a blueprint for a network of entrepreneurial campuses.
University innovators
Gillian Docherty, Chief Commercial Officer at Strathclyde, said:
Strathclyde is already a living, breathing example of an entrepreneurial campus and we were delighted to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to see first-hand the work that’s taking place at Strathclyde.
“Strathclyde has a proud history of supporting innovators and our entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in the University’s strategy, priorities and values, ensuring long-term commitment to our entrepreneurial culture.
“We are proud to help our University community innovators realise their potential and to support them to develop impactful solutions to a range of local and global challenges.”
Cutting-edge
Scottish Government Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy Secretary Neil Gray said: “Scotland’s universities have a key role to play in driving innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting businesses and transforming the economy.
We want to see the cutting-edge work taking place at the University of Strathclyde become widespread across the country.
“That is why we continue to support high-quality research and innovation across Scotland, including increasing investment in higher education capital funding to more than £350 million for 2024/25.”
The University is the leading entrepreneurial campus in Scotland and the event also celebrated Strathclyde being named European Entrepreneurial University of the year at the Triple E awards in Barcelona last June for its sector-leading ‘entrepreneurship for all’ approach.