START is an SCQF Level 6 accredited entrepreneurship programme that brings the experience of launching a startup business to S6 pupils in schools across Scotland.
According to the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs” report, 39% of current skills will be outdated by 2030. To succeed in an ever-changing economy, young people need to be taught skills that will help them solve real-world problems.
START combines the principles of design thinking and entrepreneurship and inspiration mentoring to prepare school leavers for a thriving career in the workplace of the future, by teaching five core competencies:
According to the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs” report, 39% of current skills will be outdated by 2030. To succeed in an ever-changing economy, young people need to be taught skills that will help them solve real-world problems.
START combines the principles of design thinking and entrepreneurship and inspiration mentoring to prepare school leavers for a thriving career in the workplace of the future, by teaching five core competencies:
START was created in collaboration between leading design academics, key business voices, and the High School of Glasgow.
One of the key priorities of Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation is to “create a culture of entrepreneurship that makes our country one of the best in the world for starting and growing businesses.”
Connecting the world of startup enterprises with Scottish schools is a critical aspect of this work.
As a result, START is supported by the Scottish Government’s Entrepreneurial Education Pathways Fund to create funded opportunities to ignite entrepreneurial ambition in school leavers.
A prototype version of the programme ran in the High School of Glasgow in 2022/23, with 25 pupils participating.
START has been successfully piloted in four schools in 2024/25, with 55 pupils participating.
During the 2024/25 session, we began a strategic partnership with Scottish EDGE – Scotland’s largest startup funding competition – to connect volunteer mentors from their alumni community with our pupil startup teams.
This mentorship gave pupils access to invaluable support and encouragement from those with a wealth of lived experience in navigating the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial journey.
We have also started a strategic partnership with the University of Strathclyde. This partnership will help connect our participants with the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem in Scotland, alongside access to additional resources from Strathclyde’s Inspire Hub to deepen learning opportunities and ignite entrepreneurial passion.
START is proving to be transformative for participating pupils. Many former participants use their START experiences in UCAS Personal Statements or job applications with great success.
In response to demand and following SCQF accreditation, we are preparing to extend our current pilot to around 10 participating schools for the 2025/26 session.
Our long-term goal is to provide every school leaver in Scotland with the opportunity to participate in START.
Engagement with the START programme can broadly be split into three groups:
Build student confidence and open new career pathways through experiential learning.
Use your real-world business experience to inspire the young entrepreneurs of the future.
Become a corporate partner to help us identify and support the next generation of talent.
Discover the impact START is having on school leavers.
