Renfrewshire’s first business incubator is about to open as a base for as many as 20 start up and young enterprises. The council’s Invest in Renfrewshire programme has launched a competition to find businesses with the potential to grow, create jobs and add new value to the local economy.

Renfrewshire’s first business incubator is about to open as a base for as many as 20 start up and young enterprises. The council’s Invest in Renfrewshire programme has launched a competition to find businesses with the potential to grow, create jobs and add new value to the local economy. And winners will be invited to join a community of creative entrepreneurs working from customised premises on Paisley High Street.

Business who join the InCube will receive intensive support to help them develop their products and reach high street, online and export customers. They will also get broader financial and business skills training from experts and entrepreneurs. An InCube year is rent-free, rates-free and worry- free, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to focus on building their businesses.

Mark Macmillan, Leader of Renfrewshire Council, is enthusiastic about InCube; “This is all about growth. Renfrewshire’s history and heritage are dominated by creative entrepreneurs and today our new businesses still tend to thrive better than the Scottish average. I have every reason to believe that we still have the ideas, acumen and enterprise to build whole a new generation of successful enterprises. InCube will offer excellent support for entrepreneurs and it is also a measure of the council’s commitment to Renfrewshire’s economic future. “

Paisley High Street has already started to benefit from the InCube. Number 27, a red sandstone listed building has been sensitively renovated to open as a business base for competition winners.

The InCube is open to creative businesses, less than three years old, with real growth potential and a commitment to building their success in Renfrewshire. Entrepreneurs are asked to register their interest in the competition at www.investinrenfrewshire.com/incube and then to submit a business plan.

The competition’s judges reflect the economic interests of Renfrewshire and have been recruited from the Chamber of Commerce, Business Gateway, and the council. They are looking for applicants with creativity, energy, the drive to succeed and the potential to add value to the local economy. Winners will be announced in June and invited start working in the InCube immediately.

To find out more about InCube, or Invest in Renfrewshire’s wider business support and employability programmes, please visit investinrenfrewshire.com or call 0300 300 1180.

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Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X