Saturday March 14th 2026
Photo from Queen Margaret University
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Queen Margaret University (QMU) Startup Studio, a vibrant new hub designed to accelerate entrepreneurship and support innovation across the University and the wider East Lothian community is open for business.
The Startup Studio brings together Business Gateway East Lothian, Bright Red Triangle, and QMU’s entrepreneurial services under one roof to create an accessible, collaborative space for new and aspiring business founders.
One of the aims of the Startup Studio is to offer free hotdesking space alongside expert guidance, and access to resources and funding for students, staff, graduates, local residents, and East Lothian’s wider business base. Any local business can make use of the Studio’s excellent location, highquality facilities, and rich collaboration opportunities. Open during the University’s core operational dates, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, the space provides a friendly, supportive environment where users can connect with fellow entrepreneurs and experienced business and social enterprise advisors.
The development of the Startup Studio has been supported through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund funded by UK Government. Its creation reflects QMU’s commitment to building a connected entrepreneurial culture across the University and the East Lothian region, building on its longstanding partnership with East Lothian Council and its commitment to deliver Community Wealth Building as a peoplecentred, placebased approach to enterprise.
The new facility builds on the legacy of QMU’s Business Innovation Zone (BIZ), which for more than 12 years provided a foundation for enterprise activity in conjunction with Business Gateway East Lothian. During this time, over 100 entrepreneurs, startups, sole traders, practitioners, and freelancers received business support, creating a strong and enduring community of innovators.
Now, the Startup Studio will expand and elevate these opportunities—offering workshops, mentoring, events, funding pathways and collaborative programmes to stimulate innovation and deliver meaningful entrepreneurial growth across the region.
Businesses interested in using the hotdesking space should contact the QMU Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Unit at rkedu@qmu.ac.uk
Carolyn Low, Knowledge Exchange Manager at Queen Margaret University, said:
“Universities play a vital role in nurturing the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, and we know the positive impact this has on our local and regional economy. The expansion of our entrepreneurial support services and the launch of the Startup Studio means that even more students, graduates, researchers, and local innovators can access expert guidance, facilities, and the training needed to turn ambitious ideas into viable ventures.
“The development of these enhanced facilities reflects the strength of our longstanding collaboration with East Lothian Council and our university and college partnership, and reinforces our commitment to building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem rooted in community wealth building.”
Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “This new Startup Studio is an exciting new step forward, building on the partnership work between budding entrepreneurs, the council’s Business Gateway service and QMU’s support network for businesses. It absolutely fits in with our joint Community Wealth Building aims, supporting emerging business to grow and thrive right here in East Lothian.”
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