Supporting women-led businesses to reach their full potential is
key for the economy, Deputy First Minister will set out today.
Ms Forbes will reaffirm the Scottish Government's support while
addressing a Pathways Pledge event in Edinburgh, the first annual
gathering of organisations signed up to tech entrepreneur Ana
Stewart's initiative to help remove barriers facing women in
enterprise.
The Scottish Government invested a record £2.6 million in 2024-25
to widen female participation in entrepreneurship. This will
increase to at least £4 million in 2025-26 as part of an enhanced
enterprise package commitment of £15 million.
Ms Forbes said:
“Supporting women-led businesses to realise their full potential
is an economic imperative. Businesses drive our economy. For
Scotland to be a high growth, start-up nation and create the jobs
of the future, we need to fully unlock our entrepreneurial
potential. We need more women starting and growing businesses to
drive inclusive growth.
“Ana's work identified the clear need to address educational
barriers and societal attitudes to truly close the gender gap in
entrepreneurship. By supporting women to achieve their ambitions,
we can unlock substantial economic benefit and provide the next
generation with positive role models.
“This is a long term undertaking and cannot be delivered by
government in isolation, which is why Pathways Forward is an
excellent example of what can be done through partnership –
sectors coming together to pledge their support and to hold each
other accountable.”
Background
Gender Index 2024 data shows that 20% of established companies in
Scotland are female-led while 12.9% of fast-growth companies in
Scotland are female-led.
Pathways Forward was founded by tech entrepreneur Ana Stewart
after she co-wrote the Pathways report, identifying areas for
cross-sector action to remove barriers facing women
entrepreneurs.
Pathways: A new approach for
women in entrepreneurship - gov.scot
