RGU: Start-up accelerator programme supporting new businesses in the northeast

A programme by one of the UK’s leading universities for entrepreneurship has celebrated its sixth year.

Robert Gordon University’s start-up accelerator programme supports and inspires businesses across the north east of Scotland.

The initiative supports early-stage innovators to develop their business ventures, providing structured skills sessions and one-to-one support.

Start-up manager Aishia Kasim told STV News: “We have established a structure for them that can provide support with questions like ‘I want to start a business, what does that involve?’ ‘What are the legal aspects of starting a business?’ ‘What is marketing about? ‘What is a business plan?’

“It is also within an academic space which is really important especially when you are dealing with innovation and with the research and development piece.’’

Carnie Bee is one of the 15 businesses across the north east to participate in RGU’s start up programme.

After discovering the benefits honey had for her fibromyalgia, Anna and her daughter Kaya wanted to help anyone else in pain.

Jan Stander demonstrates new software to help coach sports players

Now, the family-run beekeeping business is on a mission to offer natural products made from the source.

“We want to tell them about the benefits they can get from all of the products, because we do different infusions next to the bee products,” co-founder Rebeka Szaboova said.

“For example, lemon and ginger can help with inflammation and high antioxidants, so we want to tell people if you take this infusion it can help with something else.

‘‘We want to educate people about the benefits they can get and give them value for their purchase.’’

Another organisation who benefited from the programme is InnoSport, launched by former Scotland international cricket player Jan Stander.

He hopes the skills obtained on the start-up course will help to get their AI-driven coaching platform off the ground and on the market in the very near future.

Jan wanted to bring his knowledge of sport together with his co-founder Luis Toral’s skills in AI to create a new way of coaching.

He said: “It’s trying to identify all key body parts that we wanted to pick out.

“In this particular instance it’s the ankles, knees, hips, wrists and most importantly the eyes and picking up the eyes. So, regardless of what angle we are looking at this video those same points are being identified.

“We can then give feedback whether it’s a two or a five, based on my coaching philosophy of how I want that athlete to perform.”