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Three Years of Partnership: LaunchMe and The Edinburgh Royal Merchants Guild

As the Guild welcomes their seventh cohort of mentees, it feels like the right moment to celebrate what this partnership has achieved and the impact it continues to have on Scotland’s social enterprise sector. Mentees and mentors alike, along with the Guild’s senior members, chair, and Renae from Firstport, gathered recently for a drinks and networking evening to kick off the new cohort. 

A partnership that works 

The relationship between LaunchMe and The Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh has grown naturally over three years. The Guild’s comprehensive mentoring programme pairs experienced business professionals with entrepreneurs looking for guidance, support, and connections. For our LaunchMe participants, this has opened doors to expertise and networks that might otherwise have been out of reach. 

What makes this partnership particularly meaningful is that half of the businesses The Royal Company of Merchants now works with are social enterprises. This isn’t just good for our participants – it’s helping shift perceptions about what business looks like in Edinburgh and beyond. 

Beyond mentoring: enterprise grants 

The Guild also administers enterprise grants of up to £5,000, designed to help new and growing businesses with specific projects or equipment. Several of our LaunchMe participants have benefited from this funding, with one organisation receiving support twice. These grants are awarded based on business merit and need, with a focus on preventing poverty, advancing education, and developing citizenship or community. 

Real impact: success stories 

Hal Prescott from the Granton Project CIC, participated in LaunchMe and then in the Guild’s mentoring programme. Hal is a brilliant example of what this partnership can achieve. Hal connected well with his mentor, went on to secure a significant Catalyst Fund investment, and the Granton Project is now up and running. The combination of mentoring support and access to funding opportunities helped turn ambition into reality. 

Rachel Green from The Ripple Project has received two enterprise grants through the Guild, providing crucial support at different stages of her social enterprise’s development. These aren’t just numbers – they represent real organisations creating real impact in communities across Scotland. 

Looking forward 

Both Firstport and The Edinburgh Royal Merchants Guild are hoping to expand our work together. The feedback from participants has been incredibly positive, with mentees consistently highlighting the value of having lived-experience guidance alongside their LaunchMe support. 

The mentoring programme continues to evolve, with several mentees from previous cohorts now becoming mentors. The Guild will continue their rigorous matchmaking and induction process, which is key to the success of the programme. 

It was wonderful to catch up with so many LaunchMe participants at the recent Guild social event and to see firsthand the relationships they’ve built through the programme. Kenny from Power Circle, Cathy from Father’s Network Scotland, Liam from Tempo Community, Laura from Aberdeen Blueberry Wellness, and many others are all benefiting from this partnership. 

Thank you

The Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh has been enriching Scotland’s capital for over 340 years. Their commitment to supporting ambitious social enterprises is helping to shape a more inclusive and impactful business landscape. 

Thank you to Alan and the team for your partnership, your belief in social enterprise, and your ongoing support of our LaunchMe participants. Here’s to many more years of collaboration. 

If you’re a LaunchMe participant interested in the mentoring programme, please get in touch with renae@firstport.org.uk.