Scotland is known for business innovation and ideation, but there's a challenge we can't ignore: a scarcity of entrepreneurially-minded people who can propel businesses, and subsequently, our economy and society forward.
These are people who embody growth, resilience, confidence, ambition, humility, empathy and curiosity - they recognise opportunities and execute them. It's a style of leadership - not just about creating companies.
As a charitable foundation, our mission is to identify people with the potential of thinking this way. We nurture their belief and connect them to opportunities and other leaders who can help them succeed.


Impacting the growth of a business can take an entire career. To accelerate this journey, we concentrate on two pivotal stages that create the most impact: empowering young people in the very early stages of their careers, and accelerating leaders already on the journey.
Our flagship Saltire Scholar Programme seeks out high-potential students from all universities in Scotland, putting them on a transformational development journey that includes a fully funded internship. By working on real commercial projects, students are empowered to realise their capability to impact growth in the future. The programme marks them out as the future leaders of business in Scotland.
If you lie awake at night thinking about the growth of the business you are in, then the membership is for you. It is designed for business leaders at the helm, actively driving their businesses forward.
Leaders learn best from other leaders, but where do you go to find them? Our curated cohorts foster deep and meaningful connections with like-minded peers and more senior leaders, creating opportunities for sharing, support and mentorship, all whilst opening a world of connections to accelerate growth.
As Saltire Scholars and Members evolve into transformational leaders, they give back by becoming hosts, donors, volunteers, and mentors. This fosters a movement of entrepreneurially-minded leaders committed to driving positive change in Scotland. It's a virtuous cycle. Our job is to keep that cycle moving.

Host a Saltire Scholar Intern through our structured summer internship programme for employers. Access high-potential undergraduate talent, support meaningful projects and build a sustainable graduate recruitment pathway.
Join The Exchange, a peer advisory group designed for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders. Gain actionable insights, tackle business challenges, and build meaningful connections with a curated group of like-minded leaders.

Apply for 8–12 week paid summer internships through the Saltire Scholars Programme. Open to penultimate and final-year students, our internships combine meaningful work experience with leadership and personal development.

As a charity, to deliver on our bold ambition, we rely on the generosity of remarkable people like you especially our donors, sponsors, hosts and speakers. You can play a vital role in building Scotland's entrepreneurial future.

From real-time dashboards to cost-saving automation - structured internship programmes deliver commercial results. Here's how to make them work.

Young entrepreneurs will be supported to turn their ideas into successful businesses through a new Scottish Government programme.

An internship through the Saltire Scholars Programme helped Donaldson Group create Spec3D, a new 3D visualisation business now used by house builders across the UK.



