GROWTH AND FINANCE
In research undertaken by Women’s Enterprise Scotland in early 2017, women wishing to grow their businesses felt they often faced a ‘hierarchy’ of growth support available - impacting growth momentum, causing frustration and hampering the realisation of associated economic benefits. Women highlighted often feeling pressure to conform to ‘traditional’ norms of ‘growth businesses’, including taking on early stage investment, which did not suit them.
As a key part of supporting women in enterprise, partners in the Framework are committed to –
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Supporting Investing Women’s Scotland wide ambition and growth workshops and events and promoting the stories of success.
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Working with financial institutions and initiatives, to explore the provision of microcredit for women at early stage business creation.
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Seeking to ensure greater participation of women’s businesses in the innovation process, including access to innovation support, and support with exporting and internationalisation.
WES works with a range of partner organisations to improve access to finance for women-owned businesses. This work includes progressing innovative approaches to funding such as unsecured lending and business angel investment, in addition to providing consultancy services for the new Scottish National Investment Bank.
WES has trained bank staff and economic development staff in Scotland and other areas of the UK on the benefits of a more gender-aware approach to business support delivery.
