A GROUP of eight Scottish start-up businesses will meet with peers from countries such as Vietnam, Brazil and Argentina at an entrepreneurs bootcamp in the US this week.

They will be joined at Babson College in Massachusetts by 40 other business owners and take part in workshops on topics including cash flow, business modelling and market research.

The Scottish representatives include dog treat firm Pawsitively Natural, e-commerce fashion platform Mark Up, infection control specialist Log Six Systems and e-book firm Giglets.

After a competition, they were selected from more than 100 firms involved in the Entrepreneurial Spark business accelerator hubs in Glasgow and Ayrshire.

Jim Duffy, co-founder of ESpark, said: "[These companies] have the opportunity to develop what we've taught them and learn from some of the world's best at Babson.

"What they learn this week really could deliver a significant boost and set their start-up on the path to long-term success."

Gordon Merrylees, managing director of business banking in Scotland for Royal Bank of Scotland, sat through the pitches. The bank also provided £25,000 funding towards the trip.

He said: "This is a great opportunity to learn from an institute synonymous with entrepreneurialism globally. Supporting entrepreneurs is about more than providing finance, and it's hugely important to provide expertise, build knowledge, create confidence, and facilitate networks."