A new, free investment programme designed for startups and founders seeking their first round of investment has now opened, with just ten spots available for interested firms.

The pre-seed startup programme is being delivered by Ecosystem Builders Network and Sun & Planet, with support from the RBS Accelerator and The Scottish Government Ecosystem Fund.

Round One will deliver its peer-led investment readiness programme to just ten selected startups, with applications open now to ambitious founders.

The eight-week programme will include three hour sessions each week which will explore a different topic like getting prepared, identifying investors, outreach, culminating in a demo day. Participating startups will also be given connections to pre-seed investors across the UK and Europe.

Round One of the new programme will be led by Bruce Walker, founder of Ecosystem Builders, and Alex Rowe, founder of Sun & Planet. Walker has spent over a decade supporting platforms supporting early-stage founders, and Rowe has worked with over 40 startups, bringing deep fundraising expertise.

In order to apply, startups must have raised less than £100,000 to date and be based in Scotland with a minimum viable product, at the post-concept stage, and be aiming to raise at least £250K in the next 12 to 18 months.

“Far too many talented founders in Scotland are missing out on the investment they need, not because their ideas aren’t strong, but because they haven’t had access to the right networks, knowledge and preparation,” said Bruce Walker, founder of Ecosystem Builders. “Round One is here to change that, levelling the playing field and helping founders raise with confidence.”

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Alex Rowe, programme lead and founder of Sun & Planet, added: “Round One is built for founders, by founders.

“We’re taking the lived experiences of people who’ve successfully raised millions and putting them in the room with entrepreneurs who are just starting their funding journey.”

Ecosystem Builders says that their selection process will give priority to underrepresented founders, including women, minority ethnic, disabled, neurodiverse, and rural entrepreneurs.