New Bright Red Triangle deal to offer business support for more budding entrepreneurs
Edinburgh Napiers enterprise hub is joining forces with Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College.
Bright Red Triangle (BRT), the enterprise hub at Edinburgh Napier University (ENU), has agreed a significant new partnership with Queen Margaret University (QMU) and Edinburgh College (EC) which will offer entrepreneurial support to their students, graduates and staff.
The formal agreement, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, means more budding entrepreneurs will be able to use services such as advice, training, workshops, and opportunities to turn innovative ideas into business ventures.
The collaboration will also offer specialist support across each institutions key areas of expertise including wellbeing, health, food and drink, creative industries, tourism, design, engineering, construction, computing, and AI.
Since its formation in 2005, BRT has supported more than 1,000 start-ups and freelancers from the ENU community. They have access to the BRT Start Up Studio in Edinburgh, one-to-one support from business advisers, online and in-person training opportunities, and a wealth of contacts.
These services will now be extended to students, graduates and staff of QMU and Edinburgh College. In addition, the student and graduate communities will be able to use BRT services at their own institutions, providing those seeking support with more convenience and flexibility, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with entrepreneurs from the other institutions.
Over the last year BRT has appointed two Entrepreneurs-in-Residence tech sector leader, , and serial entrepreneur and chair of Womens Enterprise Scotland (WES), . A new , which supports female-led businesses, has also been set up.
The agreement will aim to create a strong entrepreneurial network across the three institutions, in line with the Scottish Governments National Innovation Strategy 2023-2033 and its Entrepreneurial Campus blueprint.
It is hoped the partnership will help support more people to follow in the footsteps of entrepreneurs like Lauren Leisk. The QMU graduate and founder for , a specialist food company producing the UKs first low FODMAP certified products for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), has made the most of support services at QMU since graduating.
Lauren said: Im inspired by this latest move to partner with Bright Red Triangle, which has an international reputation for entrepreneurial support.
Scotland needs better services which support women to develop as entrepreneurs equipping them to navigate the business environment more quickly when they graduate.
I think that this partnership will only improve support for talented people who harbour ambitions to run their own business. Im certainly looking forward to accessing BRT services which will help me grow Fodilicious by identifying new routes to market.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: We take great pride in the many examples of entrepreneurial spirit which have emerged from the Edinburgh Napier community in recent years.
Bright Red Triangle has an impressive record of helping to transform innovative ideas into viable, difference-making businesses.
We hope this agreement to extend BRTs support to the QMU and Edinburgh College communities will offer a platform to more aspiring entrepreneurs, grow the networks of our enterprise hub and strengthen regional partnerships.
"We recognise the collaborative power that universities have in creating the entrepreneurs of the future and the impact of this on the economy, and we are pleased that the BRT partnership presents a unique interdisciplinary offering that ensures more students, graduates and researchers in Scotland have the opportunity to access an entrepreneurial education. By capitalising on BRT expertise and working collaboratively, we can create a cultural shift which helps more graduates to view entrepreneurship as a viable career path. This exciting partnership allows QMU to build on its long-term collaboration with Business Gateway East Lothian by harnessing BRTs extensive expertise in entrepreneurialsupport and improving graduate skills and employability by stimulating entrepreneurial mindsets."
Michael Jeffrey, Vice Principal of Edinburgh College said: Equipping people with entrepreneurial skills as well as technical and vocational training is essential for preparing them to thrive in todays dynamic economy.
At Edinburgh College, we work collaboratively with a range of partners to ensure we are empowering students to not only excel in their chosen careers but to become the entrepreneurs and innovators of the future.
Were excited to be joining up with our university partners, through Bright Red Triangle, to tap into the wealth of entrepreneurial support available to students, staff and our wider college community, and provide increased opportunities to access business support and advice across the city.
Notes to Editor
For more information on this press release please contact Media & Communications Officer John Callan on 0131 455 6251.
Pictures free to use with credit to Edinburgh Napier University.
17勛圖厙 Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University is proud to be the #1 modern university in Scotland (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025) and the leading university in Edinburgh for student satisfaction for five years in a row (National Student Survey 20202024). We are also recognised as the top Scottish modern university for research power and impact (Research Excellence Framework 2021). As an enterprising and innovative modern university, we are committed to integrating work-based learning, cutting-edge research, and graduate employability into everything we do. With more than 250 undergraduate and postgraduate courses and nearly 20,000 students from over 145 countries, our reach extends from our vibrant campuses in Edinburgh to online platforms and global partner universities. For more information about how were shaping the future, visit .
17勛圖厙 Bright Red Triangle
Bright Red Triangle is Edinburgh Napier University's enterprise hub. It offers a range of programmes, activities, and support for students, staff, and alumni, designed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation. The hub's mission is to help individuals realise their potential and transform innovative ideas into successful ventures.
17勛圖厙 Edinburgh College
Edinburgh College is Scotland's Capital College, providing high-quality education and training to people and businesses across the Edinburgh region and beyond. With four campuses in each corner of the city, we welcome around 27,000 students from over 135 countries worldwide, who choose from hundreds of courses across 17 different subject areas with full-time, part-time, evening and distance-learning options available from access to degree level. We have established relationships with employers and universities, creating a connected community that provides students with strong links to work or further study. For more information visit .
