SCOTLAND’S leading entrepreneurship event, Startup Summit, has announced James Watt, co-founder of multinational brewery and pub chain BrewDog, as the headline speaker at this year’s edition, where he will be interviewed by Scottish business legend Sir Tom Hunter.
The event, which is being held online this year, brings together entrepreneurs from Scotland and beyond to hear from leading figures in the business world and is expected to attract over 1000 delegates across October 28 and 29.
Amali de Alwis, managing director of Microsoft for Startups, was also announced as a speaker at this year’s event, joining a lineup already containing experts from globally recognised companies such as Twitter, GoDaddy and 1Password.
Watt said: “At BrewDog, we are fiercely independent and have always strived to build a completely new type of business. Our approach has been non-conformative and anti-authoritarian from the start and I look forward to discussing this as part of SUS20.
"I have long admired Sir Tom as a businessman and philanthropist. We share the same view that business should be a force for good so I’m looking forward to discussing what start-ups can do to make a positive impact on our planet together.”
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Hunter said: “Startup Summit is a fantastic learning opportunity at a time when we really need to drive new businesses forward. Our economy will sink or swim dependent on our ability to drive growth by fostering more start-ups and scale-ups.
“James Watt typifies the brilliant nature of entrepreneurs who always pivot, jump over hurdles and grow massively whilst caring for their people and our planet. His chat will be, as ever, inspirational.”
Bruce Walker, co-founder of FutureX, said: “It’s critical that we support new businesses more than ever this year. Startup Summit 2020 is bringing together the most successful business leaders and entrepreneurs to inspire, educate and support the next generation of start-ups. The online event enables start-ups, SMEs and high growth founders to get access to the tools, resources and a community of support that they need.”
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