Entrepreneurship | Services for Business and Industry

At QMU we actively encourage our staff, students and alumni to develop entrepreneurial skills. We believe that promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurialism will help build an economy for the 21st Century that benefits all. It is how we can support Scotland's ambition to become a world-class entrepreneurial and innovative nation.

Our aim is to create an ecosystem that nurtures the creative, innovative and entrepreneurial ideas and ambitions of QMU’s community. A focus on health innovation, creative entrepreneurship and social enterprise reflects QMU’s reputation for excellence in these fields.

We foster innovation and enterprise by offering a range of activities and opportunities delivered through The Business Innovation Zone, a unique service run in partnership with The Business Gateway.

Most recently, we have collaborated with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow School of Art to form SHIFT, a partnership which aims to produce specialist events and resources to help budding creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists, designers, producers and performers SHIFT from higher education to their professional careers. Applications are now open for the SHIFT Summer School.

The Business Innovation Zone

The Business Innovation Zone is a unique partnership with The Business Gateway. It is currently home to over 40 start up businesses in the food and drink, health and creative sectors.

SHIFT

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Queen Margaret University and Glasgow School of Art are delighted to announce a new partnership, SHIFT.

Recognising the importance of collaborating across institutions and disciplines, the partnership will result in specialist events and resources for budding creative entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists, designers, producers and performers. The landmark programme of the partnership will be SHIFT Summer School.

We are particularly pleased that this collaboration forms part of Scotland CAN DO. The vision of CAN DO is for Scotland to become a world-leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation, leading to wider benefits for all. The Creative Industries will be a key factor in achieving sustainable economic growth to allow Scotland to flourish. SHIFT recognises higher education's important role in creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, especially amongst our students and graduates.

SHIFT is supported by the Universities Innovation Fund and the Scottish Funding Council.

Strategic Partners

We work closely with the external organisations below to encourage and promote entrepreneurship opportunities, competitions and funding to members of The BIZ as well as the rest of the organisation.

Merchant Company of Edinburgh

QMU are delighted to be partnering with Edinburgh Merchant Company who have recently launched an Entrepreneurship fund to encourage entrepreneurship and business start-ups. The fund, which will open twice a year, will provide grants of between £500- £5000 to successful candidates .

Converge Challenge

Converge Challenge is Scotland's largest entrepreneurial training programme and competition, with a total cash fund of over £160,000. There are 3 categories in Converge Challenge, Converge, KickStart, Impact and Creative. These are open to all staff and students at any Scottish University or Scottish Research Institution, and graduates up to 24 months after graduation from the initial application date if supported by a University.

Scottish Institute for Enterprise

Fresh Ideas runs from October to January, and each month participants have the chance to win a cash prize to turn your idea into a business venture. The process is designed to help participants develop their business skills, and show them how to turn their idea into a successful new business.

Scottish Edge

Scottish Edge is aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs. There are 3 categories, ScotEdge, Wild Card Edge and Young Edge. If you have an innovative high growth potential business then you can win up to £100,00 in the main competition and up to £15,000 in each of the other 2 categories

University Innovation Fellowships

This year we awarded our first University Innovation Fellowships to develop projects that have the potential for significant health, cultural and economic impact.