12½ Minutes...

12½ minutes...sponsored by broadcaster STV, is our live streaming interview series set to inspire Scotland's entrepreneurial and business community.

Every second Friday at 3pm, we spend time talking will some of the world's leading entrepreneurs, pioneers, explorers and champions in their respective fields. Each has their own story of optimism to tell, sharing business and life lessons. 

Whilst short, our interviews pack a whole host of insightful information, hope, inspiration and aspiration into just 12½ minutes! 

Catch-up with our past raw and honest interviews below, or visit our YouTube channel to set a reminder for our live broadcasts. 

Sponsored by:

End of Year Special with Bill Aulet

We ended 2020 with a 12½ minutes extravaganza! Back by popular demand, Bill Aulet joined us for a Q&A episode on Friday 4th December. Find out what he had to say about the future of entrepreneurship...

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Etienne Kubwabo, Filmmaker and Comic Author

On Friday 20th November the mastermind behind Scotland’s first-ever Black superhero - Etienne Kubwabo, spoke to us about how his passion for storytelling got him to where he is today. We will also be welcoming our new sponsors, media giant STV to chat about our partnership and STV's Growth Fund.

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Deborah Masson, Award-Winning Author,

On Friday 6th November Aberdeen Award-Winning Author, Deborah Masson, spoke to us about her joy for writing, why she uses it as a voice to broach sensitive subjects and her latest novel.

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Craig Wilson, The Kilted Chef and Restaurateur

On Friday 23rd October local chef with big ideas, Craig Wilson - aka the Kilted Chef, spoke to us about his successful journey to date, and his grit and determination to succeed.

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David Pratt, Foreign Editor, Journalist and War Photographer

On Friday 9th October one of Scotland’s most highly regarded journalists and war photographers, David Pratt joined us to speak about thinking on your feet and why he believes life is fraught with risk.

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Stuart Cosgrove, Journalist, Broadcaster and Author

On Friday 25th September journalist, broadcaster and author Stuart Cosgrove joined us to discuss all things media, his love affair with Scotland, naturally inquisitive mind and the inspiration for his new book, Cassius X.

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Yvette Hopkins, Executive at Shetland Space Centre, GlobalScot and US Army Veteran

On Friday 11th September, we interviewed a woman who's 30 year career in military intelligence gave her a global outlook, and eventually led her to work on the groundbreaking Shetland Space centre.

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Neil Gordon & Dr Andrew Jaffrey, Sentinel Subsea Co-Founders & Grey Matters Alumni

On Friday 4th September we spoke with Neil Gordon & Dr Andrew Jaffrey, Sentinel Subsea Co-Founders & Grey Matters Alumni on how the accelerator acted as a catalyst for the company's success.

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Jolene Guthrie, JoAmi Knitwear Founder & Elevator Alumna

On Friday 28th August we chatted with Jolene Guthrie, JoAmi Knitwear Founder & Elevator Alumna about her creative journey to date, as she spoke exclusively to us about her new brand name.  

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Caroline Laurenson, TL Tech Managing Director & Digital Accelerator Alumna

On Friday 21st August we caught up with  Caroline Laurenson, TL Tech Managing Director and Digital Accelerator Alumna, to find out how more about her business - a smart home solution provider with a difference.

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Michael Carr, GoRoadie Co-Founder & Accelerator Alumnus

On Friday 14th August we caught up with Michael Carr, Co-Founder of GoRoadie and Dundee Accelerator Alumnus, to find out how he kept his business on the right track to secure significant investment. 

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Lee Midlane, IT Central & Moray Accelerator Alumna

On Friday 7th August we kicked-off our new Founder Series, interviewing Elevator Alumni for the month of August. First in the hot-seat, Lee Midlane, Founder of IT Central and Moray Accelerator Alumna.

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Ian Houston, Global Connector & Director of Clydebuilt International

On Friday 31st July we interviewed one man who knows all about global connectivity....Scottish Business Network ambassador, Ian Houston

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Dr. Cor Hutton, Quadruple Amputee & World Record Holder

On Friday 24th July we spoke to the phenomenal Dr. Cor Hutton about her incredible story that has changed not only her life, but the life of others.

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Bob Keiller, Storytelling Mastermind

On Friday 17th July we spoke to renowned businessman and storytelling mastermind, Bob Keiller about his belief in the need to experiment quickly: fail fast.

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Rob Lawson, Gym Owner, Athlete and Mentor

On Friday 10th July we spoke to Gym Owner, Athlete and Mentor, Rob Lawson about his own experiences and how he transfers his skills and knowledge to the people he works with, in all aspects of life.

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Peter May, Award-Winning Scottish Journalist

On Friday 3rd July we spoke to Peter May about the power of research and just how he felt when his pandemic thriller went from desk drawer to bestseller more than a decade after it was written.

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Brian Williamson, Award-Winning Entrepreneur

On Friday 26th June we dug into award-winning entrepreneur Brian Williamson's entrepreneurial journey, touching on the highs, the lows and why he believes his experiences have shaped him.

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Mark Beaumount, Athlete, Broadcaster & Ambassador

On Friday 19th June we spoke with Athlete, Broadcaster and Ambassador, Mark Beaumount about why he believes we all need to fear failure.

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Dr. Deborah O'Neil, Biotechnology Entrepreneur, Immunologist & CEO of NovaBiotics

On Friday 12th June we spoke with Dr. Deborah O'Neil, Biotechnology Entrepreneur, Immunologist & CEO of NovaBiotics, to gain insight into the role her and her team are playing in the battle against COVID-19.

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Poonam Gupta, OBE, Scottish-Indian Entrepreneur and Philanthropist 

On Friday 5th June we spoke with Poonam Gupta, OBE, Scottish-Indian Entrepreneur and Philanthropist, a women who embodies drive, determination and vision.

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Gavin Oattes, Best-Selling Author, Comedian and Entrepreneur

On Friday 29th May Author, Comedian and Entrepreneur, Gavin Oattes lifted our spirits as we spoke to him about his new book and top tips for keeping his positivity alive.

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Dr Poonam Malik, Angel Investor & Social Entrepreneur

On Friday 22nd May we interviewed Dr Poonam Malik BSc, MSc, MBA, PhD, FRSB, who - with a wealth of experience in the MedTech and BioTech sectors, spoke about COVID-19 and the opportunities it could have on the healthcare sector.

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Rachel Corsie, Captain of the Scotland National Team

On Friday 15th May we interviewed Captain of the Scotland National Team, Rachel Corsie to discuss the tactics needed to deliver that killer injection of leadership.

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General Major Martin Smith CB OBE

On Friday 8th May we interviewed Major General Martin Martin who - with vast experience in overcoming the challenges faced during major deployments, spoke openly about the importance of leadership.

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Myrtle Dawes, Solution Centre Director at The Oil & Gas Technology Centre

On Friday 1st May, we delved into the energy sector to discuss the technology and innovation needed for driving our industries forward, while touching on the support available for innovative companies.

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Professor Gary McEwan, Elevator CEO

On Friday 24th April we spoke with Elevator's very own CEO, Professor Gary McEwan, to discuss all things business resilience, while gaining insight into Gary's thinking for Scotland's future.

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Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship

On Friday 17th April we interviewed the man who is changing the way entrepreneurship is understood, taught, and practiced...award-winning educator and author, Bill Aulet.

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