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Helping entrepreneurs find the right path.
Pathfinder is a fully funded opportunity for entrepreneurs to accelerate their new product or business in only six months. Participants will be taught practical tools and techniques to interrogate their idea, plan for opportunities and optimise for marketplace success. To help you execute your idea, Pathfinder delegates are coached directly by experts across a range of disciplines including new product development, innovation, business strategy, finance, investment and more. The programme includes a “Dragon’s Den” style pitching session in front of real investors in a safe environment to help to you prepare for just about anything in the commercial world.
Pathfinder Accelerator supports businesses, social enterprises, entrepreneurs and start-ups in the Highland region looking to develop a product, service or business model that relates to technology, life sciences, IT, healthcare, engineering, or aquaculture. This includes businesses using technology to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’re not sure if your business is eligible, sign up to our taster session to find out more or get in touch with us to discuss further.
Get in touch with the team now to apply for our animal health and aquaculture cohort.
Meet the highly skilled team delivering Pathfinder. During the course programme, they'll share their knowledge and guide you through the programme.
Jamie has over 10 years’ experience in the design and delivery of business innovation and growth. As a former tech CEO and as a business owner, he knows the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship but with his knowledge of business strategy, innovation and commercialisation he is excited to lead participants through the Pathfinder Programme.
Elizabeth is a qualified accountant with over 20 years of experience, who has been using her skills and passion to support start-up businesses since 2012. As Chief Operating Officer at AccelerateHER she is privileged to work with female founders across many sectors enabling them to grow and scale their businesses.
Victoria oversees the operational and project management of the Pathfinder Accelerator. Victoria was formerly Head of Marketing for Europe in a biotech multi-national where she led the team responsible for all marketing and communication across all of their European territories.
Evelyn is a highly experienced business coach, trainer, mentor, and NXD. She is a self-confessed start-up geek and has worked extensively with high growth companies throughout the UK ecosystem. Evelyn has worked with start-ups and their founders on leadership, strategy and funding, advocating a disciplined and practical approach, and has a particular passion for supporting female founders.
Julia Shalet, Product Doctor, is an award-winning innovator, product consultant, qualitative researcher & trainer with more than 20 years experience. Her work has been recognised by the BBC, Guardian, Observer & Independent & her book, The Really Good Idea Test, was published by Pearson & won an Axiom Book Award in 2021.
Zach is the Head of Innovation and Product Development at Skillfluence. He’s been working at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship and skills development for over 20 years.His experiences range from supporting innovation with corporate teams to co-founder of a tech startup to startup sales coach. He believes in the power of storytelling, the transformative potential of great questions and approaches most challenges with systems mindset.
If you are thinking about it – do it!Sodi Kakouris, Pathfinder Alumni, LGOWIT
For our Pathfinder programme starting in March 2022 we invite applications from businesses connected to animals or animal health. We will help you accelerate your ideas for new products, services or start-up ventures.
This programme is supported by SRUC’s centre of excellence for research and knowledge exchange in the rural and veterinary sector.
If you're interested in applying for our March 2022 programme, or want to discuss your idea: we offer a fully funded one-to-one business strategy session with one of the Pathfinder team to discuss your business goals, challenges and potential solutions. Please e-mail pathfinder@skillfluence.co.uk to book.
Apply by 18 February 2022.
The advice we received was invaluable and our business has gone from strength to strength thanks to the programme.Jason and Yvonne Lancaster, Co-founders , Welan
Discover how one Highland business owner faced the challenges brought about by COVID-19 and, by taking part in HIE’s Pathfinder Accelerator, was able to turn them into opportunities to innovate and grow.
A childhood spent in Papua New Guinea, combined with expertise in micro renewable energy systems, led Terry Stebbings and his brother Neil to develop HydroTrailer, a cost-effective mobile hydropower system designed for developing countries.
LGOWIT (Let’s Get On With It Together) was established in 2011 to provide ongoing support for people living with long-term health conditions.
Discover how technology is helping one Highland business owner increase the profitability of small scale renewables projects for his clients, helping Scotland meet its net zero targets.
Do you have a question about our Pathfinder programme? Find the answers to some of our frequently asked questions below
Two things. Speed and Action! By bringing together a highly experienced team of expert trainers, coaches and investors, Pathfinder Accelerator will help you to rapidly execute your venture in the shortest possible time. It will help you avoid costly pitfalls and rapidly increase your confidence as you evolve your ideas based on real-world action-orientated validation of your product, service, marketing, business model and more. You will have access to a network of experts and resources that you can tap into to bring your ideas to life. Plus, it's all designed so you can fit the programme around your busy schedule without the need to travel. You will be pushed to reach your goals and ensure your business is reaching its full potential.
The programme is open to small-medium size businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs related to the following industries: Life sciences, healthcare, animal health, aquaculture, technology, IT, or engineering.
This business should be based in the Highland region and looking to launch a new product or service or changing your business model. This includes businesses using technology to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this.
Through a series of workshops, led by highly experienced trainers, the programme covers a range of business skills. These aim to help you boost your business and fast track the development, implementation and growth of new products, services, or business models. Topics covered in the programme include:
As part of the programme, you will have access to coaching, mentoring and the opportunity to work with experienced investors and roundtable events with subject experts.
We are now recruiting for our next programme that will begin on 14 January 2022.
Applications will usually close 2 weeks before the programme start date. The closing date for applications is 14 December 2021. If you have any questions, please contact the Pathfinder team.
The programme runs for six months. After this you will be invited to join our alumni events.
This programme is not additional work to squeeze into your already busy diary. It's designed to accelerate your existing commercialisation journey, helping you hit your goals sooner without wasting time going down rabbit-holes that you may have otherwise. It does this by taking you on a logical journey, with training and coaching from experts at every stage, giving you the confidence and accountability to encourage you to more rapidly set and execute key activities until you achieve your goals.
In practical terms, the programme is split into two three-month stages. In the first stage you will be required to attend one live online workshop for half a day per week. In the second stage you will be required to attend around one hour per week. Additional time will be required for 1-2-1 coaching and online learning activities throughout the programme.
The programme is free to attend. Funding will be provided by State Subsidy and you will receive a letter to notify you of the aid received.
After the programme you will have access to alumni resources including a news bulletin, roundtable events with industry and business experts.
Here's other support you might be interested in
HIE's Impact30 programme supports young business leaders make an impact on their industry. We can help you develop skills, knowledge and tools to grow your business.
NEXUS is a life sciences and technology business hub based on Inverness Campus. It can support new and established businesses to grow and develop.
HIE’s technology placement programme offers SMEs in the Highland Council area funding of up to 50% of salary costs towards employing a graduate
Meeting the needs of local businesses.
Pathfinder is a support programme delivered through the Northern Innovation Hub, designed to build on and accelerate business innovation.
It is funded through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal - a joint initiative supported by £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and University of the Highlands and Islands. This programme also receives financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Innovation strategic intervention.
