- Up to £1.2 million to engage the next generation in business
creation.
Funding to inspire young people to set up their own business has
been increased by more than a third.
The Entrepreneurial Education Fund 2025-26 will make up to £1.2
million available for courses and projects that will encourage
more young people, from a wide range of backgrounds, to choose
business ownership as a career path.
Last year's Fund supported programmes that embedded
entrepreneurial education in Scotland's classrooms right through
school from P1 to S6.
The scope of this year's fund has been expanded further to
encourage more applications for vocational programmes equivalent
to SCQF Levels 7 and 8.
Deputy First Minister said:
“Fostering and supporting entrepreneurial talent is vital
for ensuring a growing, thriving economy and the Scottish
Government continues to invest in expanding the pipeline of
support available to help this and the next generation of
business founders to succeed.
“Entrepreneurial education helps build the mindset, skills and
attitudes needed to succeed. It also, critically, increases
participation from an early age, breaking down barriers to people
considering entrepreneurship as a career choice.
“Last year's Fund was run competitively for the first time,
resulting in a diverse set of programmes to inspire young people
across all school ages. With increased funding and further
expansion to the scheme this year we are putting in place strong
foundations to embed an entrepreneurial mindset at a crucial
time.”
Chief Entrepreneur Ana Stewart said:
“Scotland's future economy will be built by the bold ideas and
creative minds we nurture today. This new round of the
Entrepreneurial Education Fund will help to further embed
innovation and ambition into entrepreneurial learning and
teaching programmes. Importantly, this competitive fund will
encourage innovation and impact by offering support to new
providers in the field, as well as the more established
organisations.
“By investing in the next generation of potential founders, we
are shaping a culture where entrepreneurship is accessible,
inclusive, and a natural path for anyone to turn an idea into a
business.”
Daydream Believers received £146,200 from the Scottish
Government's Entrepreneurial Education Fund in 2024-25 to develop
the Dreamers and Doers Playlist, a 120-hour learning
programme delivered in schools across the country.
Managing Director of Daydream Believers Helena Good MBE said:
“Funding from the Scottish Government allowed us to take Creative
Thinking to the next level, creating a resource that's bold,
joyful, and built to last. It's laid the foundations for a
lasting legacy, one we're excited to build on as we grow,
collaborate, and continue re-imagining what learning can be.”
Background
The Entrepreneurial Education
Pathways Fund is open for applications until 20 August
2025. Grants of up to £250,000 are available to public and
private sector organisations to deliver courses and projects
Daydream Believers - Daydream
Believers
