Building Guernsey’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

At the Digital Greenhouse, we believe that great businesses don’t just happen, they’re built through learning, testing, and community. The Startup Academy is one of the ways we bring that belief to life, supporting Guernsey’s emerging founders as they take their first steps. 

Over eight weeks of masterclasses and practical development, the programme helps participants refine their ideas, understand their markets, and gain the confidence to grow something real.

For Nadia Newton, founder of a new marketing consultancy, the Academy has been a vital space to explore her bigger vision. “What I’ve found most valuable is the chance to refine my strategy and build confidence in a supportive environment,” she said. “It’s really challenged us to dig deeper into the why and how behind our ideas, making sure we’re solving real, monetisable problems.” 

Having left full-time employment to build her own business, Nadia saw the Academy as a chance to find structure, accountability and community. “Starting out can feel lonely, but being part of a group learning together changes everything,” she said. Her ambitions are bold, too: “My aim is to help over 100,000 purpose-driven entrepreneurs turn passion into profit. It feels big, but the course is helping make it feel possible.”

For Dave Herschel of Isle Maritime Training Ltd, the motivation to apply was more about bridging gaps. “There were huge holes in my skillset,” he admitted. “I’d spent years working in my sector, but I’d never started a business.” His company is launching Guernsey’s first ultra-low-carbon training centre for sailing and powerboating and through the Academy, he’s been able to focus on what really matters: understanding customers.

Both Nadia and Dave agree that entrepreneurship plays a vital role in Guernsey’s future and that programmes like the Startup Academy are key to strengthening it. “It’s only now, having left employment, that I can see how enterprise underpins our economy,” said Dave. “The support from the Digital Greenhouse has been incredible, and I’d love to see even more investment in helping new founders get started.”

The Startup Academy is proof that innovation begins with opportunity. By helping people take their ideas seriously and giving them the structure to grow. Guernsey continues to nurture the next generation of business leaders who will shape its future. 

First published in The Guernsey Press entrepreneurship supplement November 2025.