Minister for Enterprise Sees Enterprise in Action

Minister for Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Sees Enterprise in Action Following New Start Up Grant Announcement

Date: 28 July 2004

Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Jim Wallace, yesterday (Wednesday 28th July 2004) announced a new business start-up grant for the 18-30 age group, whilst on a visit to Aberdeen.  The award is targeted at those starting their own business in the North East.  Following his announcement, the Minister visited the Enterprise North East Trust Offices in Thainstone, to see Enterprise in action.

Joyce Duncan, director of operations at Enterprise says, “The new grant awarded by the Scottish Executive will allow start-up businesses in the 18-30 age group the financial support they need to get their business off the ground.  To be eligible for the award, start-up companies must be owned by people in the target age group, be a viable new business, demonstrate a proper development process and have a valid business plan.”

Joyce continues, “We’ho shown Mr Wallace the business support that Enterprise can offer companies, enabling them to realise their potential and make an important contribution to the economy of the north east.  Many developing business’ don’t know where to go to find the professional expertise which will help them to take their business to the next stage. Enterprise is the local company which can give that quality professional advice, through its team of advisers who have a wide range of industry backgrounds, and many of whom have been self employed, and understand the challenges of running a small to medium sized enterprise.”

Enterprise offers business development support for businesses throughout the north east of Scotland.  They can help businesses in the start up stage to devise a business plan, this acts as a blueprint for companies to map out where they envisage their business to be now and in the future.

Jim Wallace met Enterprise clients whilst on his visit, including Graham Duncan of Crew 2 Crew.  Graham's internet based company 'Crew 2 Crew' supply communications databases and information exchanges for crew related industries, from commercial shipping and fishing, on and offshore rigs and relief agencies, to commercial aviation and helicopters.

Graham says, "Enterprise has enabled me to take my business ideas and turn them into reality. They have guided me with one to one adviser support, as well as useful and practical seminars and workshops.  They have also put me in contact with other local businesses and services, and the support Enterprise has given me has been invaluable in turning my ideas into a viable working business."

Mr Wallace also met with David Aitken and Sandy Corrigan of Accura Measurement.  Accura Measurement specialise in the sales, service and rental of test and measurement, process instrumentation and HSE products

David says, “Enterprise helped us to get our business off the ground, by showing confidence in our business plan we managed to gain the financial backing needed to get the business started.  The continued support I have been give during our first three years of trading has helped us to formulate our growth strategy for the next three years.”

The Thainstone office of Enterprise can be contacted on 01467 672500. More information about Enterprise can be found at www.enetrust.com.

For more information contact:
Laura Cox
Account Executive
Tricker PR
Telephone: 01224 646491
Email: lcox@trickerpr.com