GCC Launchpad launch makes entrepreneurship accessible to all

Glasgow Clyde College has unveiled Launchpad, a pioneering new initiative designed to help students, staff, and members of the wider community turn their business ideas into reality.

As part of Launchpad, the college is offering a 12 week Entrepreneur Accelerator programme which provides fully funded access to mentoring, workshops and resources that help participants build the confidence, skills and practical knowledge needed to start and sustain a business. Removing barriers to participation, the College is covering childcare and travel costs so that everyone has the opportunity to take part, regardless of personal circumstances.

Each week, participants will dive into a different area of entrepreneurship, from idea generation and branding to finance and marketing, guided by expert mentors and guest speakers who have built their own successful ventures. Local business leaders such as Brian ‘Leo’ McCallum, owner of the Roar group of salons, will be among those sharing real world insights and advice. At the end of the 12 week programme, five participants will be selected to explore further funding opportunities and take the next big step toward launching their business.

Launchpad is led by staff from across the college, with Entrepreneur in Residence, Bayile Adeoti, founder of Dechomai and a former Glasgow Clyde College student Bayile, who was recognised as one of Scotland’s leading entrepreneurial champions and recently won the Brand Scotland Award from the Scottish Women’s Awards, for her work supporting diverse founders, brings a wealth of experience in helping start-ups grow and thrive. She will hold regular drop-in sessions, offering one-to-one advice and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Bayile said: “Launchpad is about taking that first step. We want people to understand that it’s okay to have two or three jobs while developing your own business, entrepreneurship is about flexibility and ambition. Colleges are incredible spaces for hands-on learning, and we want every student, staff member and community member to feel empowered to turn their ideas into something real.”

The overarching goal of Launchpad is to make entrepreneurship accessible for everyone from young people with big ideas to working parents balancing multiple responsibilities. The initiative addresses a gap in the college sector by embedding enterprise directly within further education, and it aligns closely with Glasgow Clyde College’s Entrepreneurial Campus Vision and STEM Manifesto, which focus on developing future ready skills and nurturing innovation across all subject areas.

Participants will receive access to a comprehensive range of support, including weekly workshops, one-to-one mentoring, guest speakers, and online resources through the College’s Canvas platform, where they can find templates, guides, webinars and digital toolkits. The fully funded programme is open to anyone with a business idea, providing the tools and encouragement needed to take their first steps into the world of entrepreneurship.

Funded by the Scottish Government until March 2026, Launchpad aims to support 30 participants directly through the accelerator and engage more than 100 additional students and staff through workshops and drop-in sessions.