Sir Willie Haughey, of City Refrigeration, is part of a panel of top business minds to oversee the distribution of a new £1m Scottish Government fund for entrepreneurs.
Mr Haughey alongside entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, will hear from businesses looking for help with cash to invest in new business ideas.
The panel, also to include representatives from RBS and enterprise agencies, will invest between £20,000 and £50,000 in the successful businesses.
Each firm will be bidding for up to £50,000 from the new Encouraging Dynamic Growth Entrepreneurs, or Edge, fund.
The initiative was being announced today by Finance Secretary John Swinney at the SNP conference in Perth.
Mr Swinney said the scheme developed by the government, RBS and start-up agency Entrepreneurial Spark, would help stimulate growth in the Scottish economy.
Mr Haughey said business people have been waiting for investment of this kind.
He said: "I am absolutely delighted to be involved in Scottish Edge and in assisting Jim Duffy with the E-spark initiative, which has played a key role in developing this fund. The scheme is something that Scotland has been crying out for.
"I have no doubt that this support for start up businesses will increase the success rate."
Mr Swinney revealed the plans which will see promising entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to those whose success they seek to emulate.
Mr Swinney said: "The Scottish Government is looking at new and innovative ways for the private and public sectors to work together to assist business growth in Scotland. That is why we are establishing a £1m fund to unlock investment for entrepreneurs.
"This government and our enterprise agencies are focused on maintaining Scotland's position as the most supportive environment for business in the UK.
"Scottish Edge will target ambitious entrepreneurs wishing to establish or grow their business and will provide real opportunities for them to contribute to Scotland's economic success."
stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk
