Jim Duffy, co-founder of Scottish-based business incubator network Entrepreneurial Spark, announced he will leave the company in the summer of 2017.
Duffy said Entrepreneurial Spark will soon announce some key changes to its model “which will enable the company to help more entrepreneurs, more often and at the right place in their journey.”
Since its launch in 2011, Entrepreneurial Spark has launch 12 “hatcheries” around the UK with a 13th launching soon and has forged partnerships with Royal Bank of Scotland, KPMG, Dell EMC and Harper Macleod.
The network calls itself the world’s largest free business accelerator for early stage and growing ventures.
Entrepreneurial Spark’s locations include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and London.
Duffy said: “When we started Entrepreneurial Spark in 2011 we knew there was a great opportunity ahead.
“Scotland has been shaped by great inventions, entrepreneurship is in our blood.
“But in a global and digital marketplace, cutting through the noise takes more than a good idea and commitment, it needs the right support across a range of areas to help entrepreneurs thrive and grow.
“Five years later, thanks to Royal Bank of Scotland and all our amazing partners we have launched 12 Hatcheries with a 13th launching soon.
“We’ve supported over 660 businesses to turnover more than £85 million.
“It’s been an incredible journey and one I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and been changed by. I have to say a massive thanks to Lord Haughey, of course, without whom all of this would have just been an idea.
“Entrepreneurial Spark is about to announce some key changes to its model which will enable the company to help more entrepreneurs, more often and at the right place in their journey.
“The whole team is committed to taking this evolved model forward and I’ve no doubt that under Lucy-Rose Walker’s stewardship it will take Entrepreneurial Spark stratospheric.
“So I can leave with a big smile on my face. I guess in a way you could say that I’ve fired myself.”
Entrepreneurial Spark co-founder Lucy-Rose Walker will continue in her role as Chief Entrepreneuring Officer to lead the expansion plans for the business.