THE Borders could benefit from an entrepreneurial boost thanks to a collaborative partnership.

Techsaler, the Scottish Government's tech start-up support programme, has teamed up with Hometown Hub, a provider of shared workspaces across the south of Scotland, to provide a network of hubs where the two organisations can work together to help local start-ups, students tech professionals.

Hometown Hub operates a number of collaborative workspace hubs - including in Jedburgh, Eyemouth, St Boswells, Lauder, and Stow - when businesses and freelancers can work in a flexible, shared space.

To launch the new partnership a special event will be held at the Station House in Stow tomorrow (Wednesday, January 24).

Techscaler's head of regional engagement for the south of Scotland Sarah-Jane Burns shared her enthusiasm for the partnership.

She said: “I’m thrilled that we’re launching this partnership and starting our engagement across the Borders.

"Techscaler is here to support the skills development of people, whatever their sector or background, to build and develop tech products and companies.

"Working with Hometown Hub means we have amazing spaces from which to build a tech community, deliver our education programmes and create connections across the Borders, and for Techscaler members to have spaces to work from, connect, interact with others and feel part of a welcoming community.

"Setting up a business, freelancing or exploring new avenues like technology for your work can be daunting, isolating and scary and we want people to know that there’s a community and spaces out there to help, support and welcome you to ask questions and be curious.”

The partnership aims to offer a range of benefits to those making use of the hubs in the Borders, including:

  • A collaborative and creative work environment for tech entrepreneurs to network with others in the sector
  • The opportunity to build up the tech community in the Borders
  • Access to tech events and opportunities offered by Techscaler through Hometown Hubs
  • Highlights of the partnership

Commenting on the partnership, Andrew Earnshaw, founder of Hometown Hub said: “This is an exciting partnership for Hometown Hub and it ties in perfectly with our commitment to supporting local businesses, promoting growth and encouraging entrepreneurship across the Borders.

"With five hubs across the region, we’re able to provide office, coworking and meeting spaces in towns across the region, and we can’t wait to see what interesting innovations and ideas come through our doors with the support of the Techscaler programme.”

For more information about the Hometown Hub and Techscaler launch event in Stow tomorrow, and to register your interest in attending, visit the Techscaler website.