Aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners in Scotland have been given the opportunity to apply for an intensive 13-week accelerator programme designed to fast-track their business growth and success (applications closed on 14 August).

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) (www.hie.co.uk) and Business Gateway have appointed Elevator (a business support organisation) to run the first fully funded business accelerator in Moray.

The latter will help start-up, early-stage and growing companies that are ready to transform their innovative business, product or service in order to greater success — both nationally and internationally.

Following an in-depth one-day ‘boot camp’, up to 20 of the most promising applicants will secure a place on the programme, which will be run from a number of locations, including Horizon Scotland in Forres.

The participants will have access to support for product development and testing, customer acquisition, financial planning, intellectual property and more.

They will also be assisted by Business Gateway services, sector experts, seasoned entrepreneurs and Elevator’s national and international network of mentors.

Andy Campbell, head of accelerators at Elevator, said: “Staying competitive in the evolving business landscape isn’t easy, but the opportunity to drive prosperity has never been greater.

"With this exciting new accelerator, our aim is to stimulate Moray’s entrepreneurial mind-set and demonstrate the potential for local, national and international growth.

"We offer an immersive dynamic programme aimed at supporting, challenging and driving businesses forward to reach their full potential.”