Rachel Ross, the newly-appointed CEO of Elevator, has promised to steer the Scottish startup accelerator to “new heights,” championing entrepreneurship across Scotland’s urban centres and fragile rural communities amid mounting economic headwinds.
Ross, who took up the post earlier this month, says she is focused on expanding Elevator’s reach through co-designed programmes and new partnerships — potentially extending the organisation’s impact beyond Scotland into the wider UK.
“Whether you’re in a major city, on the urban fringe or in a remote community, we’re committed to supporting founders and startups on their growth journeys,” said Ross. “Entrepreneurship should be accessible, impactful, and transformational — and that’s the trajectory we’re committed to.”
Entrepreneurial DNA Meets Economic Challenge
Elevator has supported over 9,000 startups and 3,500 SMEs in the past five years through accelerators, leadership programmes, and tailored business support. While operating primarily across Scotland, Ross hinted that the organisation may now look southwards.
Her strategy is built on a collaborative, private-sector-led approach that connects universities, governments, corporates, and communities. With the economic climate tightening, Ross emphasised the importance of unlocking resilience and opportunity.
“Access to finance, digital transformation, AI integration, and market expansion are major concerns for founders right now,” she said. “Our role is to address those pressure points through agile, customised programming.”
Collaboration Over Competition
Elevator’s current network includes Scottish Enterprise, Business Gateway, Scottish Development International, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Shell, and multiple universities including the University of Dundee, where it runs the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Academic Accelerator.
The organisation has also delivered:
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Digital Skills Tayside
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IMPACT! programmes in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Dundee
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E3f, a pre-start female entrepreneurship initiative funded by Pathways Forward
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Digital Skills for Tourism in partnership with HIE
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SDI Amazon Accelerator
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Regional EDGE events in Dundee and Angus
Ross now aims to double down on higher education and private-sector involvement, moving beyond public funding dependency.
“We’re seeing excellent outcomes when we co-design initiatives with industry and academia. Going forward, we want to deepen those relationships to catalyse more innovation and growth.”
Sector-Agnostic, But Eyes on Clean Energy and Agri-Tech
Though Elevator doesn’t target specific sectors, Ross noted an uptick in activity around clean energy, agri-innovation, and e-commerce, areas where Scotland is seeing strong founder interest and global opportunity.
The CEO believes that rural and regional economies can become innovation hubs, not just satellites of major city growth.
“With the right support and connectivity, entrepreneurs in remote areas can build scalable ventures — not just lifestyle businesses, but high-growth companies with export potential,” she said.
A ‘Tipping Point’ for Scotland’s Startup Ecosystem?
Ross’s appointment comes as Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem reaches a critical juncture. While government funding pressures and inflation squeeze small business margins, the number of startup incubators, accelerators, and innovation centres has grown in recent years.
But according to Ross, the path forward requires fewer silos and more integration.
“We’re not here to compete with Business Gateway or other players — we’re here to collaborate. And we’re showing that this kind of joined-up approach delivers tangible results.”
As economic headwinds gather strength, Ross believes supporting early-stage founders — particularly women, rural entrepreneurs, and underrepresented groups — will be key to safeguarding Scotland’s innovation economy in the years ahead.
“We know 2025 will be tough,” she said. “But if we can help businesses build resilience and adapt fast, we can still create something vibrant and sustainable.”
