The Raising Partners Live conference in Glasgow has been hailed as an opportunity to advance Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The May 10 event which will bring together the tech industry’s investors, industry experts and entrepreneurs is designed to empower start-up and scale-up tech businesses to access capital.

The conference is part of Raising Partners’ mission to “level the playing field” and empower entrepreneurs through expert guidance and education to give them clarity, confidence and conviction when it comes to raising investment.

Sean McGrath, CEO of Entrepreneurial Scotland, believes Scottish start-ups have the talent and potential to be significant players on the global tech stage, and that a thriving tech community will act as a catalyst to the nation realising its potential – beginning with the May 10 event.

He said: “Scotland has the talent to punch well above its weight on the world stage in tech – that’s why we’re constantly looking for ways to remove friction and create a clear path for Scottish tech entrepreneurs to succeed.

“This event can light a fire underneath the sector and really accelerate the growth of these ambitious businesses.

“Scotland’s size can be its strength by enabling us to easily bring our best entrepreneurs together to share ideas, learn from others who have been there before, and create a truly supportive tech community. The road to success can be lonely, so coming together for support and validation of your thoughts is important.”

He continued: “The success of Skyscanner and other businesses like it shows there is no glass ceiling for Scottish start-ups – our tech businesses can become world leaders. There are so many businesses on the precipice of huge growth. It’s our duty to create opportunity by providing access to the best advice and mentorship.

“I’ve no doubt this event will be a huge success and expect it to become a staple of the calendar for all ambitious Scottish entrepreneurs.”

The highly anticipated conference has been funded by The Scottish Government’s Technology Ecosystem Fund, which was launched following the 2020 Logan Report, an independent review of the Scottish technology ecosystem.

The Logan Report was authored by start-up and scale-up expert Mark Logan, who during close to five years as chief operating officer at Skyscanner – one of Europe’s most successful start-ups – oversaw huge growth culminating in a £1.5bn acquisition in 2016.

The Logan Report recommended the development of a ‘world-class technology sector’ in Scotland, calling for greater investment in activities that assist entrepreneurs based in Scotland by providing more opportunities for peer learning and networking, something Helena Murphy, the event organiser and founder of Raising Partners, believes Raising Partners Live will provide.

Ms Murphy, a Glasgow-based entrepreneur and investor, commented: “Scotland is showing signs of becoming a fertile entrepreneurial ecosystem, but there’s still a long way to go. Often, businesses have all the ambition but lack the knowledge, guidance and support needed to truly compete on the world stage.

“There are so many incredibly talented people in Scotland’s tech industry – by getting them all in one room to build a supportive community, and by giving them the tools and knowledge to thrive, it could be a game-changer

“The investment landscape and the challenges facing businesses are changing all the time. Whether its recessions, intensive periods of growth, a global pandemic or supply chain challenges, companies need to use every bit of support available.”

The event, which will take place at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology & Innovation Centre (TIC), will feature an investor panel on ‘What we wish start-ups knew about raising investment’ and an entrepreneur panel entitled ‘What I wish I knew before raising money’.

There will also be opportunities for guidance on pitching to investors and a practical guide to closing a Seed Round. Spaces are limited at the event, which will also be streamed live online across the world.