THRIVE PROGRAMME 2024

  • Are you a budding food & drink or rural entrepreneur?
  • Do you want to improve your business skills and product development knowledge?
  • Do you want to network with other entrepreneurs in Scotland’s food & drink and rural sector?


The THRIVE programme could benefit you. THRIVE is open to current and future Scottish food and drink entrepreneurs

Eventbrite Registration

Closing Date: Midnight Friday 23rd August 2024

Delivered by Industry Professionals

THRIVE 2024 Programme

04/09/2024

7pm-8:30pm

21/09/2024

9:15am-4pm

02/10/2024

7pm-8:30pm

12/11/2024

7pm-9pm

THRIVE PRogramme 2024

Investment & Funding Opportunities for Scottish Food & Drink Businesses

Wednesday 28th August

7pm - 8:30pm Online

This webinar will provide a user-friendly guide of how to approach lenders or investors and provide information on where to find funding opportunities

start up business people shake hands with investor before negotiating and planning to invest company together

THRIVE PRogramme 2024

Crafting Your Perfect Pitch

Wednesday 4th September

7pm - 8:30pm Online

This webinar will help you to create a perfectly crafted pitch - essential for a successful business. It will cover the eight parts to a perfect pitch and help you create the pitch that is right for your audience – whether you are pitching to a customer, an investor, or a partner

THRIVE PRogramme 2024

Co-Packing vs Self-manufacturing

Wednesday 11th September

7pm - 8:30pm Online

This webinar will cover important advice to consider when self-manufacturing products, as well as what to consider when using a co-manufacturer

Worker at the Cheese Manufacturing

THRIVE PRogramme 2024

Smartphone Food Photography

Day 1: Business Skills

Saturday 21st September

9:15am - 4pm Online

Day 1 of THRIVE will focus on key business skills – whether you’re looking to refresh your skills and refocus, or if you want to develop skills where you have little experience. The day comprises eight key interactive sessions including your ‘pitch & position’, key market trends, brand & proposition, pricing for profit, creating evidence, validation, trust & traction for your business, marketing, and considering different routes to market

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Sustainable Marketing Strategies

Wednesday 25th September 7pm - 8:30pm Online

Net Zero or reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero. low carbon emission concept Climate neutral strategy limits global warming, green icon on wooden block

This webinar will inspire businesses to think about their sustainability message and adopt the right ways to communicate their sustainability efforts. Businesses will be provided with the baseline knowledge and tools to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices into their business operations. and help them understand key terms such as carbon footprint, carbon neutral, and net zero, and provide insights into sustainable packaging solutions and strategies for their business.

THRIVE PRogramme 2024

Food and Drink Craft Packaging Set on Kitchen Background

Practical Packaging Solutions

Wednesday 2nd October

7pm - 8:30pm Online

This webinar will follow-on from the sustainable marketing strategies webinar and will provide practical everyday considerations when choosing packaging. A guide of current packaging suppliers will also be provided.

THRIVE PRogramme 2024

Legislation for Food Manufacturing and Food Service in Scotland

Wednesday 9th October

7pm - 8:30pm Online

This webinar will provide guidance on how to keep your business compliant with legislation, where to find legislation, what to consider when establishing a business, and on-pack labelling regulations.

Woman checking the food labels in the supermarket

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Day 2: Product Development

Saturday 2nd November

9am - 4pm In-Person at Queen Margaret University

This interactive face-to-face day at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is ideally suited to those looking to launch a food and drink product. Subjects covered include new product development do's and don'ts, nutrition (including guidance through nutrition and health claims for your products) and an introduction to sensory analysis. You will get the opportunity to network with other like-minded entrepreneurs

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Practice Pitching Session Drop-In

Wednesday 6th November

6pm - 8pm Online

This session provides an opportunity for you to practice your pitch and get feedback from the THRIVE team. You will have the chance to test ideas and ask specific questions about your pitch, its structure, details, and tone to help you to really perfect your pitch.

Man Talking In Front of People

THRIVE PRogramme 2024

Business presentation

Pitching Opportunity

Tuesday 12th November

7pm - 9pm Online

This session provides an opportunity for up to 6 THRIVE participants to pitch their product or concept idea to our panel of expert judges. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable feedback on your pitch and there is a chance to win a free half day consultancy with one of the THRIVE team.