Mark Logan, Scotland’s former Chief Entrepreneur has pledged £15,000 of his own money to support the next generation of creative entrepreneurs through a new award for startups in the creative industries.
The former Skyscanner executive, who led the landmark 2020 Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review, is making the donation to Converge, Scotland’s enterprise programme for university staff, students and recent graduates.
The funding will establish the Creative Fusion Award within the Performing and Production Arts (P&PA) Challenge, developed by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Converge.
Logan, who became Entrepreneur in Residence at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2025, said “Scotland has an outstanding reputation in the performing and production arts and its members are amongst the most innovative and disciplined entrepreneurs I’ve ever met.
“Let’s properly recognise the economic potential of this sector and extend the same level of support to its entrepreneurs as we do in the tech sector.”
The award will provide £5,000 annually over the next three years.
Alongside Logan’s contribution, Converge has doubled the main prize in the Performing and Production Arts Challenge from £5,000 to £10,000, reflecting growing demand following the successful launch of the programme last year.
Deborah Keogh, RCS Head of Engagement, said: “We are extremely grateful to Mark for this generous donation and for his ongoing advocacy in raising awareness of the impact and opportunity within Scotland’s creative economy.
“A sector dominated by individual creative practitioners and micro enterprises has long been misunderstood in terms of its contribution to wider economy and society.”
Dr Lissa Herron, Converge Deputy Director, said: “We’re excited to increase the prize values in the Performing and Production Arts Challenge.
“The creative industries continue to be a growth sector for the Scottish economy, and we were delighted with the strength of interest in the challenge last year. It has proven that there is a real demand for support for creative entrepreneurs looking to take their next step.”
The 17-strong cohort in the P&PA Challenge, drawn from RCS and universities across Scotland, are undergoing intensive entrepreneurial training, delivered by creative and social enterprise leader and RCS advisor Rachael Arnold and guests.
They will create action plans to take their companies and ideas to the next stage, before pitching to a panel of industry experts. Prize winners will be announced at the Converge Awards ceremony in Glasgow on 1 October