Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation: summary

1. Entrepreneurial People and Culture

Entrepreneurs and an entrepreneurial mindset are vital at a time of change. It is people who make the difference. We will create a culture in which entrepreneurship is encouraged, supported and celebrated, and where Scotland is recognised as one of the best countries in the world to start and to grow a business.

Through our four new projects we will:

• embed first rate entrepreneurial learning across the education and skills systems;
• create a world class entrepreneurial infrastructure of institutions and programmes providing a high intensity pathway for high growth companies;
• attract and retain the very best entrepreneurial talent from at home and abroad; and
• build an entrepreneurial mindset in every sector of our economy.

Key actions we will implement:

• Promote project-based entrepreneurial learning in school and post-16 education.
• Embed entrepreneurship in the Young Person's Guarantee to cultivate the business leaders of tomorrow.
• Expand the scope of the current tech-scaler programme to become 'start-up scalers' – world-class incubation and developmental environments for all high growth start-ups.
• Create a national system of 'pre-scaler hubs' to help new businesses with high growth prospects access world class support and advice.
• Provide access to support programmes from amongst the most under-represented groups, particularly women, those on low incomes and those without qualifications at further or higher education.
• Appoint a Chief Entrepreneurship Officer in the Scottish Government to work in partnership with industry and investors to drive forward our ambitions on entrepreneurship.
• Attract international entrepreneurs to Scotland by rolling out an international marketing and engagement platform for Scotland's start up scene.
• Attract entrepreneurial students from around the world by supporting Scotland's universities to provide post education pathways.
• Expand the application of entrepreneurial thinking and approaches to public service reform.
• Launch a new National Challenge Competition for Economic Transformation.