Scotland’s makers, designers and product entrepreneurs are being offered a new route from an idea or side hustle to a sustainable business with the launch of Makerteers, a free six-month venture-building programme.
Launching in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Makerteers is backed by the Scottish Government’s Ecosystem Fund. The first programme will support 40 participants, with all workshops, expert sessions, resources and programme support provided free of charge.
Despite estimates that the country boasts more than 2,500 makers and craft businesses, Craft Scotland’s 2023 Sector Report found that 77% of makers had net income below £19,999 from craft-related activity, while 59% said they needed marketing support and 56% wanted business advice.
Makerteers’ founders believe the programme can help create more product-focused Scottish businesses, but also help them grow and build a stronger community in which makers share contacts, knowledge, suppliers and experience.
Co-founder Ryder Meggitt says the problem is rarely a lack of talent or good ideas. “Scotland doesn’t have a shortage of people who can make brilliant things. What we are missing are enough bridges between making something and building a sustainable business around it.
“You can be an extraordinary designer, maker or problem solver and still have no idea how to price properly, find a manufacturer, build a brand, automate the admin or reach customers outside your immediate network.”
Fellow co-founder Leanne Anderson explains how Makerteers aims to close that gap. “We want to help more people move from ‘maybe I could do something with this’ to actually getting it into the market, and then give them the tools, confidence and
community to keep going.
Applications for the first cohort of 40 Makerteers are now open and close on 1 October. Launch events will take place at The Glasgow Collective on 17 September and ANTA’s flagship Edinburgh store on 24 September, offering potential participants a chance to find out more.
The programme will culminate in a Make Your Mark showcase in March 2027, connecting participants with manufacturers, markets, specialist facilities, further enterprise support and potential routes to finance and investment.
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