Youth STEM 2030 Backed by Scottish Ecosystem Fund 2023-24
We’re thrilled to announce that Youth STEM 2030 is one of 42 recipients sharing £1.6 million through the Ecosystem Fund, announced today by Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.
The funding backs a new Youth STEM Changemakers: Entrepreneurs for Impact programme to empower youth - especially youth from marginalised backgrounds currently underrepresented in entrepreneurship - in Scotland as entrepreneurial STEM changemakers. Through a 10 week accelerator programme of learning about building an impact-driven business, sustainability challenges, and personal development, up to 30 16-24 year olds from across Scotland will develop ambitious and innovative STEM-based projects, which provide entrepreneurial solutions to real-world challenges. Ultimately, the programme will create the next generation of impact-driven entrepreneurs, who use STEM-based business for the good of both people and planet.
The Ecosystem Fund, delivered by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of Scottish Government, is designed to fund organisations that support Scotland’s entrepreneurs to access the resources, knowledge, connections, and capital to thrive. Selected from over 200 applicants, Youth STEM 2030 joins a cohort of inspiring projects, which have each demonstrated their ability to strengthen networks, accelerate growth, inspire new start-ups, and drive economic impact.
On being selected as recipients of the Ecosystem Fund, Youth STEM 2030 Founder & CEO Mhairi McCann said:
“We’re thrilled to receive this funding to create and deliver our new Youth STEM Changemakers: Entrepreneurs for Impact programme, and that Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government recognise the immense potential young people have as entrepreneurial STEM changemakers, and value our approach towards authentic and inclusive youth leadership. We’ve worked proactively to ensure this programme is accessible to the widest diversity of young people across Scotland, and are excited to be part of an inspiring cohort of 42 organisations creating a stronger, more inclusive, entrepreneurial ecosystem in Scotland.”
Announcing the successful recipients of both the Ecosystem Fund and the new Pre-Start Pathways Fund today at the Scottish Black Talent Summit in Edinburgh, Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said:
“These two funds provide key support to unlock the potential in underrepresented communities, realising their talent and widening pathways for them to start thriving businesses. Funding grassroots organisations is crucial. But we must also address systemic gaps preventing equal entrepreneurial participation. That's why the Pre-Start Fund complements the Ecosystem Fund in extending support more widely. Between established business community support and expanding community inclusion programmes, I believe Scotland is building an entrepreneurial climate that lives up to our guiding missions of equality, opportunity and community.”
Read the full Scottish Government announcement.
