Inclusive entrepreneur turns university course into funding windfall
A 10-week online marketing course from The Open University in Scotland has transformed the fortunes of an Edinburgh-based comedy entrepreneur, leading to equity-free funding and her first employee hire.
Katie Palmer, founder of Brass Tacks Comedy, signed up for the course after spotting it in Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert newsletter.
What began as a low-commitment way to boost her marketing skills has since unlocked entrepreneurial support and funding, helping to attract major clients and secure long-term income stretching into 2027.
Brass Tacks Comedy is built on a mission to support underrepresented voices in an industry traditionally centred around London. Katie works with comedians from diverse backgrounds, including those from economically disadvantaged communities and performers with a range of gender identities and sexual orientations.
Despite the famous Scottish sense of humour, Katie noticed that comedy was suffering from a lack of support in Scotland, with many talented acts overlooked or priced out by a London-centric industry.
Katie was awarded funding and entrepreneurial support through The Open University in Scotland after completing the Business management: marketing principles and practice microcredential course. She used the investment to build a professional website, develop marketing resources and create systems that have since attracted bigger clients and multi-date tours.
Katie Palmer, founder of Brass Tacks Comedy said: “I didn’t know any of this support existed. I signed up for a 10-week course because I thought it would be useful. It ended up opening so many doors to me and my business.
“Working with The Open University in Scotland’s Open Enterprise Network has been transformative. The ongoing support has made a huge difference to the business. The team is brilliant at spotting and sending on opportunities to access funding that I would never have known existed otherwise.
“It’s given me the confidence to think bigger and actually go for things. Having someone genuinely invested in your success, who takes the time to understand what you’re building and makes you feel like your business is worth backing is game changing. That validation has been just as valuable as the funding itself.
“Since receiving the funding, I’ve attracted more clients and bigger comedians who want to tour with me. The biggest tour I’ll have worked on is now booked for 2027, which means long-term income and the confidence to hire my first employee. I’ve also had the confidence to apply for follow on funding from other bodies.”
Katie was supported by The Open University in Scotland through its enterprise and startup support schemes, including its microfinance competition which provides equity-free funding to help students take early-stage business ideas forward.
Increasingly supporting entrepreneurs who are building businesses alongside work, caring responsibilities and life commitments, its flexible model enables students of all ages and backgrounds to study and apply learning in real time, while remaining rooted in their own communities.
Offering a strong package of support, students and recent graduates can access a wide programme of events, resources and competitions designed to help turn ideas into viable businesses.
This includes hands-on enterprise bootcamps, funding competitions such as the Open Enterprise Network Converge Microfinance Competition and a rich library of online learning covering entrepreneurship, leadership, finance, marketing and digital skills.
Supported by expert guidance and an active peer community, the Open Enterprise Network gives entrepreneurs the tools, confidence and connections to build and grow businesses wherever they are based across Scotland.
For example, The Open University has supported four Edinburgh-based start-ups thus far: Katie’s Brass Tacks Comedy, ultra-endurance races and events business, Primeval, creative social enterprise To Be Read and outdoor advertising agency, Rider Ads.
In Edinburgh, The Open University in Scotland is supporting 1815 students, 72% of whom are in employment and 19% don’t have traditional university entrance qualifications. Through its initiatives, the University is helping students move from idea to trading in a practical and sustainable way.
Jane Grant, Depute Director of External Engagement and Partnerships at The Open University in Scotland, said Katie’s experience reflected the university’s unique approach to entrepreneurship.
She said: “As Scotland’s national university for widening access and lifelong learning, we are proud to support entrepreneurial students across Scotland, including those in rural, coastal and community-based settings, who may face barriers to accessing traditional campus-based education.
Our model is designed to meet individuals where they are, allowing them to develop skills and ideas alongside their work and life commitments, and turn ambition into action, no matter where they are based.
“We are nurturing a range of businesses that prioritise inclusivity, community impact and the values of diversity, just like Katie’s. By supporting students with inclusive aims, we’re not just helping them build businesses, but enabling them to create ventures that reflect the communities they serve.
“These businesses are rooted in local values, bringing opportunities and support to areas that have often been overlooked by mainstream industries. In turn, they contribute to a more sustainable and resilient economy across Scotland, where businesses are not only focused on profit but also on making a positive, lasting impact on their communities.
“This approach ensures that entrepreneurship is accessible to all, fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for business growth and development.”
Comedy fans looking for their next night out can explore upcoming shows and book tickets now by visiting www.brasstackscomedy.com/whats-on
