Enterprising role models
We champion the work of Scotland's most inspiring sustainable entrepreneurs as we seek to encourage our students, educators and researchers in forging their own entrepreneurial paths.
Building an impactful, sustainable business takes more than just a good idea, although that is always an important place to start! That’s where our enterprising role models come in.
Seeing how others are taking action to help tackle the most difficult problems facing society and the natural world through building sustainable business model is very inspiring and motivating for our students.
At the Enterprise Academy we highlight the work of inspiring sustainable entrepreneurs and changemakers working across Scotland. We learn from the unique journeys they’ve taken and challenges they’ve overcome into building sustainable solutions for the rural and natural economy.
Are you an entrepreneur working in Scotland who is making a positive impact in the rural and natural economy? If so, we’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch with us using the link below.
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Scotland's inspiring enterprising role models
Our enterprising role models celebrate the actions and impacts of innovators, practitioners and leaders of Scotland's rural and natural economy. They offer insight and inspiration to our students as they make the next steps in their journeys.
The Scottish Bee Company
The Scottish Bee Company produce Scottish Heather and Blossom Honey and other products. They focus on regenerative agriculture, slow food, and products that are responsibly and ethically made and recognise the reciprocal relationship between the land and the food that we eat.
Watch their story
Sisaltech
Sisaltech produces sustainable building insulation made from sisal and wool. They are a small but growing company that is passionate a low-carbon future and how their technical insulation can help to make a better world.
Watch their story
Two Raccoons
Two Raccoons is a fruit winery based in Scotland that makes wine from rescued fruits that would otherwise end up in the bin. They help foster greater levels of circularity within Scotland's food system.
Watch their story
Invisible Cities
Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that empowers people who have experienced homelessness by training them to become walking tour guides of their own city.
Watch their story
Forth Resource Management
Forth Resource Management began life as a college project however it has since emerged as a leading organic waste recycling provider, transforming much of Scotland’s garden waste into new horticultural products.
Watch their story
Inspiring SRUC alumni
Our enterprising students also take inspiration and learn from the real life experiences from SRUC alumni who have trodden a similar path.
Whether it is setting up a new venture or supporting a family business to find ways to diversify, our alumni provide leadership in our growing rural and natural economy as innovators and changemakers.
The stories that they share are packed full of courage, commitment, and entrepreneurial spirit that has enabled them to make a difference in their industries and their careers by helping to tackle some of the major challenges affecting our world.
Donald Fraser
Founder of Farm Ness and 2023 Winner of the SRUC Alumni Entrepreneur Network New Entrant Award.
Read more
Jenny McKerr
Founder of the The Wee Farm Distillery and 2023 Winner of the SRUC Alumni Entrepreneur Network Award for Diversification.
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Reuben Chesters
Founder and Managing Director of Locavore and 2023 Winner of the SRUC Alumni Entrepreneur Network Award for Environmental Sustainability.
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Laura Young
Climate activist, environmental scientist, ethical influencer and 2022 Winner of the SRUC Alumni Entrepreneur Network Alumni Champion Award
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Tommy Dale
Co-founder of Forth Resource Management (FRM) and 2022 Winner of the SRUC Alumni Entrepreneur Network Award for Sustainability.
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Sally Williams
Dairy Farmer at Clackmae in the Scottish Borders and 2023 Joint Winner of the SRUC Alumni Entrepreneur Network Alumni Champion Award.
Read more
For more information:
Contact the Enterprise Academy
Contact us
Other ways we inspire enterprise:
Entrepreneurs in residence
Our esteemed Entrepreneurs in Residence play a crucial role in supporting our drive to become an enterprising university at the heart of the rural and natural economy.
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Enterprise across our campuses
We deliver enterprise events and workshops across Scotland to inspire our students and educators into developing a mindset for sustainable enterprise.
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Explore more at SRUC
Study With Us
With hundreds of courses across more than 20 disciplines, we provide the skills, experience and confidence you need to create a successful career.
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Business Services
Our business services work across food supply chains and the natural economy to help clients rise to the challenge of climate change and scientific and technological transformation.
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Research
Working with industry and policy makers, our staff and students design, develop and deliver real-world change to benefit the global natural economy.
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You might also be interested in:
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SEEDABLE
SEEDABLE is our award-winning four-year strategic curriculum project that embeds vital enterprise competencies across all our teaching programmes.
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Enterprising Changemakers
Our institution-wide Enterprising Changemaker programme provides all our students the opportunity to develop their sustainable entrepreneurial thinking and knowledge.
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Enterprise Challenge
Our enterprise competition – The Enterprise Challenge - is an entry-level competition open to all SRUC students and provides an opportunity to test, validate and fund new ideas.
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The Sustainability Start-up School
The Sustainability Start-up School is a training programme which allows students to develop ideas and discover what it takes to build a business focused on delivering economic, environmental and social outcomes.
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Working with others
We partner with Scotland's enterprise support organisations which allow us to bring further expertise and guidance to our budding entrepreneurs and allows them to establish and enhance their own business networks.
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