Turn your business idea into reality
Find your spark. Build your future.
You've got an idea but you're not sure where to start?
You're curious but don't feel like a 'business person'?
You want practical steps as well as a community of people doing the same?
Spark The Connection is for you!
Our 5 step programme is a free, Scotland wide programme helping people from all walks of life take their first steps into business.
Whether you’ve got an idea, a side hustle or a small early-stage venture, we’ll help you build strength, find collaborators and lay the foundations to grow.
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The Spark Programme
A fully-funded, flexible program to get you working in the way you want to
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In-Person Roadshows
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Start Local, find Your People
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Learn from success stories from people like you
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Leave with a plan
Meet others exploring ideas, hear from people who've been there, and see what's possible. No pressure ,just possibility.
A welcoming half-day session in your area. We'll set goals, create a safe space, and get straight into interactive activities - ideation exercises, group work and practical session to start planning your next steps. You'll hear from role models who shows that entrepreneurship is for people like you.
We'll cover the practical basics - what you actually need to do, demystifying the process. You'll leave feeling inspired and invigorated to make progress.
2
Spark
Planner
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Practical planning in one place
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Expert tips you can actually use
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Templates that save time
A thoughtfully designed planner that grows with you and your business.
Use it to plan, take notes, and track your progress. As you go through the programme, you'll add one-page top tips from expert speakers and ready-to-use templates for key business processes.
It's part planning tool, part contacts book, part knowledge base - helping you build everything in one place as you work things out.
3
Online Masterclasses
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Expert guidance in bite-sized sessions
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Flexible timing
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Skills you'll actually use
Four bite-sized online sessions with expert speakers covering practical topics like storytelling your idea, building your MVP, finance basics, sales approaches, and using AI tools. Each session features people who work with founders like you - not theory, but real experience.
Topics are based on what you actually need to know at this stage, and to help you start moving forward.
4
Curated
Connections
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Matched introductions across Scotland
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Find co-founders or collaborators
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Build relationships that matter
Personalised one-to-one introductions with peers across Scotland.
This isn't random networking - we carefully match you with potential co-founders, collaborators, or early team members who complement your strengths and ambitions.
These conversations happen throughout the programme, giving you time to build genuine relationships with people who could help move your idea forward.
5
Showcase &
Next Steps
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Share your progress
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Meet entrepreneurs and business experts
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Plan for what's next
Join the in-person showcase to share your vision & progress, connect with your cohort, and work out your next steps.
Plus: Travel and childcare bursaries available where they make the difference. We've designed this around real lives, not ideal ones
Whatever your idea, whoever you are, you are welcome
Side hustles, handmade goods, apps, retail stores, food businesses, farms, consulting, creative work, services, social enterprises, AI
Side Hustles
Retail
Tech Start-up
Who is Spark For?
Spark is for people who are curious about starting up but don't yet see themselves as entrepreneurs.
Maybe you've got an idea you're not sure about.
Maybe you've already started but feel stuck.
Maybe you just know there's something missing, but you're not sure what.
You don't need to have it all figured out. You don't need a business plan. You don't need to call yourself an entrepreneur.
You just need to be curious about what's possible.
You'll fit right in if:
You're exploring an idea but don't know where to start
You've started something, but feel isolated
You're balancing work, caring, or other commitments
You want local support and contacts, not always travelling to the city
You're looking for collaborators or co-founders
You want practical help, not just theory
You'd rather try things than just talk about them
About Us
Spark is led by Sam Rhynas and Ceri Shaw - entrepreneurs with long experience in technology, product and delivery. We've designed and delivered inclusive programmes with major Scottish organisations, and we mentor and take fractional roles inside startups and scaleups.
We know what works because we've built it, tested it, and done it ourselves.
Coming to your area
Roadshow sessions across Scotland
5th February: Ayr 1.30 - 5 pm
Mercure Ayr Hotel
6th February: Dumfries 1.00 - 4.30 pm Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries
11th February: Perth 1.30 - 5 pm
The Y Centre, 19 Atholl Street
19th February: Huntly 1.30 - 5 pm
Venue TBC
20th February: Inverness 10am - 2 pm
WASPS Creative Studios
25th February: Fort William
12.30 - 4 pm
West Highland Chamber of Commerce
27th February: Online
1.30 - 5 pm
11th March: Galashiels 1.45 - 5.15 pm
The Great Tapestry of Scotland,
14-20 High St, Galashiels
13th March: Falkirk 1.30 - 5 pm
Falkirk Library, Hope Street
Course Structure
Roadshow Session
This half-day, in-person session includes:
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Set your goals, talk through what's holding you back, and try out your ideas through fun group activities and quick pitching practice
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Structured networking to help you spot potential co-founders, people who could join your early team, or just great people to support you
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Hear from people like you who have built successful businesses
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Get your Spark Planner with practical tools and templates to help you map out your first steps
Online Masterclasses
Our bite-sized online sessions include:
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finance basics, sales approaches, telling your business story, and tech tools for building your MVP
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Each session covers first steps, common mistakes to avoid, and the legal must-dos you can't skip
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Learn from expert speakers who've worked with founders like you - real experience, not just theory
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Get one-page tip sheets and templates to add to your Spark Planner and use straight away
Curated 1 to 1 connections
Personalised introductions with peers across Scotland to help you find co-founders, early team members or just a new person to support and share stories with.
Business Planner Notebook
A practical tool to plan, track progress, gather expert tips, and build your business contacts as you go
Showcase Event
Share your story and progress. Connect with accelerators, funders, and mentors. Receive your certificate of completion and pathways to the right next support.
Spark the Connection is funded by the Scottish Government Ecosystem Pathways Fund.
Led by Sam Rhynas and Ceri Shaw
Places are free for participants
