A TRIO of East Lothian entrepreneurs have been supported by a £25,000 cash boost received by Musselburgh-based Queen Margaret University.

Amee Ritchie and Jake Elliot Hook, former pupils of Ross High School in Tranent, set up S’wheat after developing the S’wheat bottle – a reusable double-ended water bottle made from a mix of plant materials.

Hannah Gordon, from Ormiston, launched Crossroad Games CIC, which creates bespoke visual novel video games for business clients while co-creating alongside marginalised young people to develop their skills.

They were among 30 student and graduate businesses at the university which received a portion of grant aid as part of a range of support from Santander Universities UK to help them through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hannah said: “Crossroad Games, as a member of Queen Margaret University’s Business Innovation Zone, has been developing as a start-up community interest company that will co-design visual novel video games alongside marginalised young people. During the pandemic, it has become increasingly hard to see how the business would be able to keep developing for launch during a time of lockdown and uncertainty.

“The Santander Universities UK funding given to Crossroad Games has allowed us to take a step forward instead of a hesitant one backwards. The funding will be going towards developing a visual novel game demo that will showcase our product offering. We are grateful to be given that opportunity by Santander and Queen Margaret University.”

Dr Richard Butt, the university’s deputy principal, said: “At Queen Margaret University, we are proud to support student and graduate start-ups through our Business Innovation Zone, and, more broadly to support economic development.

“So we thank Santander Universities for their generous support and commitment during this challenging time.”