The collaboration, delivered through the Scottish Asian Business Chambers’ dedicated platform, Asian Business Academy, and the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Accelerator Programme, aims to provide Scotland’s diverse university talent with high-impact entrepreneurial networks, drive stronger engagement among underrepresented student groups and accelerate the success of university spin-outs.

The partnership will see the two organisations coming together to deliver a dozen flagship events annually across four Scottish universities – University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University and University of the West of Scotland – to engage 2,400 students per year.

Each session will connect students with Scotland’s most successful diverse founders and internal university spin-outs, developing their interest in and sense of belonging to the entrepreneurial community.

It will also deliver a structured mastermind programme that will transform technical researcher into business leaders. This will support 20 founders from minority backgrounds to build the tools, community and entrepreneurial mindset to take their products to market and succeed.

These efforts will encourage more Scottish Asian students to set up their own business and have access to the tools and support required to succeed.

The Scottish Asian Business Chamber is Scotland’s largest diverse business organisation, with a trusted ecosystem of over 2,000 participants and a membership base of over 800 established business owners and high-net-worth individuals.

The Royal Bank of Scotland operates two Accelerator Hubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh which have collectively supported over 1,000 entrepreneurs to develop and grow their business to create over 900 jobs. The Accelerator Programme gives entrepreneurs access to expert advice and support networks from the across the Bank and shared working spaces at no expense. They also host a regular programme of events to grow Scotland’s entrepreneurial community.

Heidi Simpson, regional accelerator director, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The Royal Bank Accelerator has been really impressed with the work of the Scottish Asian Business Chamber. We are excited to deepen our collaboration to formally partner with the team on programmes that will give specialist support to the Scottish Asian business community and encourage more people to follow the path of entrepreneurship.”

Darren Pirie, head of accelerator and partnerships, Royal Bank of Scotland, added: “I’m delighted to be partnering with the Asian Business Chamber as we look to extend the reach of the Royal Bank of Scotland Accelerator community. Bringing our networks together will help bring more opportunities for collaboration and ultimately help more Scottish businesses achieve their goals.”

Junaid Ashraf, co-founder, Scottish Asian Business Chamber, commented: “At the Scottish Asian Business Chamber, we’re really proud to be helping Scotland’s diverse entrepreneurs succeed and inspiring the next generation to follow that same path, with the support of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

“We’ve seen incredible interest from diverse and international students who want to start their own businesses in Scotland, and our goal is to create the right environment to help them turn those ambitions into real success stories that drive Scotland’s growth.”