A programme helping people in the South of Scotland turn their
business idea into a reality is getting underway for a second
year following a successful initial pilot period.
The South of Scotland Enterprise Pathways Pre-Start programme
provided specialist coaching to 269 existing or prospective
business founders across the region in 2024-25 to help kick-start
their business ideas and build business confidence.
Grants of up to £1,000 awarded to 391 people to help explore or
start their business.
The pilot programme will receive a further £1.5 million of
Scottish Government funding to continue throughout 2025-26 as
part of a £6 million investment focussed on supporting women and
other under-represented groups at the start of their
entrepreneurial journey.
It coincides with the launch of a new £1 million round of the
Pathways Pre-Start Fund which provides support, mentoring and
advice services for people setting up or growing a company.
This year's Fund will be delivered by Inspirent, with a new
digitised application process, enabling faster funding decisions.
Deputy First Minister said:
“A successful, vibrant economy needs high-growth, innovative
start-up businesses and that in turn is reliant on supporting and
nurturing business talent – talent which I know lies in every
corner of our country.
“I am determined to break down any and all barriers for any
business-minded person who wants to start or develop their
business idea or company, and this incredibly successful Pathways
pilot run by South of Scotland Enterprise has illustrated how
effective pre-start intervention can be.
“Three in four of those who accessed the programme's coaching
services said that the things that previously held them back from
starting a business were no longer barriers. This is a powerful
illustration of the pilot's success and I am delighted to support
its continuation for a further year as part of our commitment to
deliver the recommendations of the Pathways report and tackle
under-representation in business.”
Chief Executive of South of Scotland Enterprise Jane
Morrison-Ross said:
“The goal of Pathways was to support the ambitions of new and
under-represented founders across the South of Scotland, by
reaching people with fantastic ideas but who did not think of
themselves as entrepreneurs.
“We worked with 269 women and people from other under-represented
groups to create over 100 new, innovative businesses.
“With the support of the Scottish Government, we will now take
this further, unlocking the fantastic potential in the South,
breaking more barriers to growth and unleashing the power of the
rural economy.”
Chief Entrepreneur Ana Stewart said:
“I'm pleased to see the continuation of the successful South of
Scotland Pre-Start pilot and the opening of a new round of the
Pathways Fund. This next phase of work builds on the momentum in
implementing the recommendations of the Pathways report.
“These programmes will support more new and early stage
entrepreneurs and have a lasting impact on participants, closing
gaps in entrepreneurial participation.”
Background
Applications to the Pathways Pre-Start
Fund are open until 18 August. Information webinars
about the Fund are being hosted by Inspirent on the 5 and 12
August. Registration is available via the website.
SOSE's evaluation of
the 2024-25 pilot.
Unlocking fresh business
talent - gov.scot
