Ross Dundas
New Member
Aberdeen based social enterprise, The Wishing Tree has kicked off it’s crowdfunding campaign
in partnership with national crowdfunding firm crowdfunder.co.uk. The firm is seeking to raise
£35,000 to create 2 new jobs to support the creation of Scotland’s first non-profit peer to peer
business support network.
Operating in partnership with local entrepreneurial champion, Andrew Smith of Aberdeen
Business Network and Local Software Development firm, Intellicore Ltd, the firm is building a
revolutionary business support platform which has the potential to transform the business
support mechanics across Scotland via Gift Economics by connecting startups (Known as
Wishers) to established businesses (Known as Granters) willing to fullfil narrow scope projects
and products free of charge to support entrepreneurship and innovation throughout Scotland.
Ross Dundas, Project Lead and Chief Executive of The Wishing Tree, commented: “The project
has already has already helped startups gain access to support with our pilot event that we
successfully ran in October. Our crowdfunding campaign will allow us to take this to the next
level throughout Scotland via a hugely innovative online platform and create 2 new jobs in the
process. A definite win-win for us as a business and the entrepreneurs we aim to support”
Andrew Smith, Director of Aberdeen Business Network, said: "For the startup businesses that
have business wishes, this is a unique opportunity for them to tap into the experience that exists
within the business community."
The campaign has already attracted some high profile rewards all sourced from local Aberdeen
Based businesses including from Northsound 1 DJ John Mellis, who is launching a new firm
Mellis Media, whisky Firm, Peaty Nose and Aberdeen based comedy club, Breakneck Comedy.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Ross Dundas, Project Lead and Chief Executive, The Business Wishing Tree CIC 0333 6000 550
- Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm
07931 503247
Notes to editors
1. The Wishing Tree is the trading name for The Business Wishing Tree CIC. A non-profit
community interest company limited by guarantee. Reg. SC490707. The Wishing Tree is building
Scotland’s first peer-to-peer business support network built on Gift Economics.
2. A gift economy is a mode of exchange where services, products and other resources are not
sold, but rather given without an explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards. It is not
a barter economy where in contrast there is an explicit exchange of goods or services for
money or some other commodity.
Gift economies work on the basis of relationships and an agreement to work for the benefit
of society and our local communities as a whole rather than for personal gain. This creates a
level playing field and equal opportunities for everyone on the basis of their determination to
contribute to society regardless of their socio-economic background or other factors.
3. The Wishing Tree crowdfunding campaign is being operated in partnership with
crowdfunder.co.uk. It can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/thewishingtree
4. For ever pledge to the project of £50 or more The Wishing Tree will donate £5 to either The
Princes Trust or Epilepsy Scotland depending on the pledger’s preference.
in partnership with national crowdfunding firm crowdfunder.co.uk. The firm is seeking to raise
£35,000 to create 2 new jobs to support the creation of Scotland’s first non-profit peer to peer
business support network.
Operating in partnership with local entrepreneurial champion, Andrew Smith of Aberdeen
Business Network and Local Software Development firm, Intellicore Ltd, the firm is building a
revolutionary business support platform which has the potential to transform the business
support mechanics across Scotland via Gift Economics by connecting startups (Known as
Wishers) to established businesses (Known as Granters) willing to fullfil narrow scope projects
and products free of charge to support entrepreneurship and innovation throughout Scotland.
Ross Dundas, Project Lead and Chief Executive of The Wishing Tree, commented: “The project
has already has already helped startups gain access to support with our pilot event that we
successfully ran in October. Our crowdfunding campaign will allow us to take this to the next
level throughout Scotland via a hugely innovative online platform and create 2 new jobs in the
process. A definite win-win for us as a business and the entrepreneurs we aim to support”
Andrew Smith, Director of Aberdeen Business Network, said: "For the startup businesses that
have business wishes, this is a unique opportunity for them to tap into the experience that exists
within the business community."
The campaign has already attracted some high profile rewards all sourced from local Aberdeen
Based businesses including from Northsound 1 DJ John Mellis, who is launching a new firm
Mellis Media, whisky Firm, Peaty Nose and Aberdeen based comedy club, Breakneck Comedy.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Ross Dundas, Project Lead and Chief Executive, The Business Wishing Tree CIC 0333 6000 550
- Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm
07931 503247
Notes to editors
1. The Wishing Tree is the trading name for The Business Wishing Tree CIC. A non-profit
community interest company limited by guarantee. Reg. SC490707. The Wishing Tree is building
Scotland’s first peer-to-peer business support network built on Gift Economics.
2. A gift economy is a mode of exchange where services, products and other resources are not
sold, but rather given without an explicit agreement for immediate or future rewards. It is not
a barter economy where in contrast there is an explicit exchange of goods or services for
money or some other commodity.
Gift economies work on the basis of relationships and an agreement to work for the benefit
of society and our local communities as a whole rather than for personal gain. This creates a
level playing field and equal opportunities for everyone on the basis of their determination to
contribute to society regardless of their socio-economic background or other factors.
3. The Wishing Tree crowdfunding campaign is being operated in partnership with
crowdfunder.co.uk. It can be found at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/thewishingtree
4. For ever pledge to the project of £50 or more The Wishing Tree will donate £5 to either The
Princes Trust or Epilepsy Scotland depending on the pledger’s preference.
