Shell’s enterprise development programme, Shell LiveWIRE, is being expanded across Scotland.

The programme, which aims to help entrepreneurs overcome hurdles to growing their business, had initially been launched in North-East Scotland.

However, LiveWIRE is now being offered across the country, being made available to businesses with a focus on energy transition-related products and services that benefit society.

The fully-funded programme provides coaching and mentorship to business founders and directors to help drive innovation and growth, as well as new skills, access to resources, and the widening of their networks.

Shell UK appointed business support organisation Elevator UK to deliver LiveWIRE, using its more than 20 years of experience in delivering business and economic support services.

Participating businesses must fit the below criteria, and have a focus on providing energy transition-related products and services that benefit society:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (from two to 149 employees).
• Participants have key decision-making powers.
• Located anywhere in Scotland.
• Clear ambition for growth, but facing an obstacle to that growth.
• Must be two+ years and generating revenue (not a startup).
• Willing to commit to the programme time needs.

After registering their interest for the Scotland-wide initiative, suitable applicants will be invited to complete the full application process by May 27.

In June, there will be an introductory session with workshops, and residential challenge days where participants work with other entrepreneurs in the group. The programme’s onboarding day will then be held at the beginning of July.

Participants who complete the programme are set to benefit from access to the LiveWIRE global alumni network, Shell UK mentors, and the company’s Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators competition.

Nassima Brown is a participant in the current Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire cohort. She co-founded Fennex with her husband Adrian seven years ago. The tech company aims to accelerate digital transformation in the energy sector.

Commenting on her experience with the programme, she said: “From day one we saw Shell’s commitment and passion to the programme. The collaboration with Elevator is giving us the environment and the tools to think big.

“It’s not just giving us basic tools on how to manage our teams and initiate improvements, I’ll be walking out of the programme more driven and with a clearer focus. I’m fired up that we can achieve even bigger things than we thought we could.”

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Professor Gary McEwan, CEO of Elevator UK, said the following on Elevator’s involvement with LiveWIRE: “We are thrilled to be taking Shell LiveWIRE Scotland-wide after such a successful first intake.

“Teaming up with Shell UK to deliver the programme has shown how game-changing and tangible the impact a global organisation can have on SMEs.

“We’re proud to be showcasing the benefits of this kind of collaborative working through our engaged, ambitious cohort of business owners and leaders and look forward to continuing this journey with Cohort 2 and beyond.”