Heriot-Watt University launches lecture series designed to nurture entrepreneurial thinking 

A series of lectures designed to cultivate and develop entrepreneurial thinking in university students has launched at Heriot-Watt University.

The ‘Entrepreneurial Minds’ series has been created by leading academic and entrepreneur Professor Gabriela Medero, the university’s Associate Principal for Enterprise and co-founder of cleantech company Kenoteq, manufacturers of the K-BRIQ®, a brick made from nearly 100% local recycled waste.

 The programme, which will consist of three lectures for first year students and three for final year graduates, will be led by Professor Medero and will feature lectures by leading entrepreneurs and business executives from across industry and academia.

Inspired by her own passion for entrepreneurialism and sustainability, Professor Medero believes everyone is capable of innovative thinking which is crucial to tackle some of the greatest challenges facing modern society – from fighting climate change and caring for an ageing population, to harnessing the enormous potential of emerging technologies like AI and robotics.

A recent report by YFM Equity Partners found that Scotland stands out as the most entrepreneurial of the UK’s devolved nations, with a high number of well-established entrepreneurs. Despite constituting only 7% of the nation’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the research found that Scottish founders contribute £52bn in revenue and forecast 8.4% growth in the value generated by the production of goods and services in Scotland by 2028.

However, a separate study by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) published in July, found that a fear of failure remains a significant barrier to entrepreneurial activity in Scotland, with more than 60% saying that fear would prevent them from establishing a business. The experts canvassed by the GEM survey rated 12 out of 13 conditions for entrepreneurialism in Scotland as ‘barely satisfactory’, including entrepreneurial education in school. 

Professor Gabriela Medero, who is also a professor of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering at Heriot-Watt University, said:

“I believe that everyone has an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ and my mission is to unlock it for our students, whatever their career ambitions for the future may be. Entrepreneurship is all about seeing the world a little differently – spotting gaps in the market, making unexpected connections, and channelling creativity to bring bold ideas to life. As a nation, we need the innovators, the problem-solvers, the visionaries.

“These skills will allow our students to analyse risk through a unique lens, often finding opportunities where others see only obstacles. And that kind of entrepreneurial spark – that willingness to take calculated chances and blaze new trails – is exactly what today’s employers and investors are looking for.

“During this new lecture series, Heriot-Watt students will get to fan their entrepreneurial flame – regardless of the subject they are studying. We will be equipping them with the tools and the connections to unlock that inbuilt entrepreneurial capability and teach them to turn their ideas into reality, no matter their chosen career path. 

“Even students who have their sights set on a career in the private sector or a not-for-profit role will need an agile, innovative mindset to set them apart in today’s competitive job market.”

Professor Gill Murray, deputy principal of business and enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, said: 

“We’ve built a vibrant global entrepreneurial community that inspires both our students and academics to pursue the commercial potential of their creative ideas and research. We are proud to be adding a new strand to that ecosystem, nurturing our students throughout their undergraduate studies to unlock their entrepreneurial potential. 

“Regardless of the career ambitions of our students, we want to nurture their ability to think outside of the box, drive economic growth and build social opportunity by creating entrepreneurial minds of the future.

“Professor Medero has an impressive personal track record of driving enterprise through research, commercialising her innovative circular-economy innovation and bringing the K-Briq to market. She is a fantastic exemplar of the fruits of our Enterprising Research Culture which is embedded within our strategy. She will provide inspiration and guidance to our students, alongside other expert speakers. Her extensive experience, strong management skills and ability to foster productive partnerships will be key to the successful delivery of our new Entrepreneurial Minds series.”