Applications are now open for the ‘Unlocking Ambition Challenge’ — a £4 million support scheme delivered by “key stakeholders from Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem” as part of the Scotland Can Do initiative.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) will lead the academic side of the programme with support from Scottish
Enterprise, based on the highly successful Enterprise Fellowship Programme that the RSE has been running for 20 years.

Together, they will invest in 20 early-stage high-potential entrepreneurs with innovative projects, with the aim of forming start-up businesses in Scotland.

The successful applicants will receive a one-year Fellowship that includes various grants, plus a dedicated mentor and access to professional, financial and entrepreneurial networks.

Entrepreneurs from Scotland, the rest of the UK and around the world are invited to submit ideas that have the potential to be transformative.

The only condition is that the successful applicants must agree to relocate or establish their enterprise in Scotland.

The Business and Innovation Minister, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “Unlocking Ambition is a fresh and innovative approach to maximising opportunities for the wealth of talent that exists in Scotland — or that could be attracted by the opportunities here.

"This programme is a high priority or the Scottish government, because by tapping into the experience of Scotland’s most successful business people, as well as the great companies and institutions based here, we can unlock the tremendous potential of the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 2 May. For further details, visit the Web site: (www.rse.org.uk).