Scotland’s next generation tech startups are being offered vital new funding that closes the gap in pre-seed capital provision.
Applications have opened for a free, eight-week programme that aims to get more companies through the earliest stages of venture creation.
The constraint, say the organisers, is not ambition, but access to capital, support and exposure at the point it matters most.
Now in its second year, puts some of Scotland’s startups on the radar of the UK’s most prominent early stage investors.
Round One is delivered by Alex Rowe and Bruce Walker who, together, have more than 25 years experience supporting early stage founders.
They are partnered with Dentons and RBS NatWest Accelerator, and funded by The Ecosystem Fund. This year’s programme welcomes two new partners: PXN Ventures, the largest venture capital fund in the North of the UK with £670m assets under management, and Cooper Parry, a fast-growing accountancy and advisory firm rapidly expanding its presence in Scotland.
The programme is open to Scotland-based founders with a live minimum viable product who have not yet raised equity investment and are preparing to raise within the next 12 months.
Delivered primarily in person across Glasgow and Edinburgh, the curriculum covers fundraising fundamentals, investor decks, financial modelling, investor prospecting, valuation and cap tables, legal mechanics, pitching, due diligence and much more.
The 2025 inaugural cohort saw 10 founders complete the programme, a number of whom have already gone on to secure equity investment. Feedback from the cohort has been unequivocal about the programme’s impact.
Dr Alicja Dzieciol, co-founder and CEO of SilviBio, a biotech startup producing sustainable horticultural products, said: “The quality of speakers they brought in was exceptional. Having founders paired with their actual investors gave us invaluable real-world insights.”
Alan Mathieson, Founder of Fesutibaru, a tech startup building the digital backbone of festivals, said: “I don’t know of anywhere else (and I’ve been in a few programmes) where we would get that insight.
“We were successful in securing £750k. And the support from Bruce & Alex at Round One was excellent. Certainly it helped us get our ducks in a row and be better prepared for due diligence.”
Owen McLennan, partner at Dentons, said: “Scotland has a wealth of up-and-coming talent, but it can be difficult for new founders to access capital and support.”
Alastair Moore, investment director at PXN Ventures, added: “As an investor that writes cheques from pre-seed to Series B, we’re very excited to be partnering with Round One, which bridges the investment readiness and funding gap by providing a platform for investors to actively help pre-seed founders raise their first cheque and future rounds.”
Applications for Round One 2026 are open from 27 July until 21 August 2026. Ten places are available.
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