If you’re an ambitious female founder, the International Pathways to Scale is an acceleration programme designed to help you develop the leadership capability, investment readiness and international growth expertise you’ll need to scale successfully.
To apply, complete our application form and send it to enquiries@scotent.co.uk by 5pm, Monday 19 October 2026.
Building on the success of the Pathways to Scale programmes, this intensive, internationally focused programme is designed to help female founders prepare themselves and their businesses for significant growth through exporting and investment. The programme combines executive education, specialist business support, international trade expertise and peer learning.
Places are limited to a cohort of eight to ten female founders from ambitious Scottish companies with strong international growth potential.
Applications close 5pm, Monday 19 October 2026
What you'll gain
You'll have the opportunity to:
Develop the leadership skills you'll need to transition from founder to CEO
Build a practical scale-up plan for business growth
Strengthen your investment readiness and financial confidence
Explore international market opportunities and routes to export
Access specialist support tailored to your business needs
Connect with experienced advisers, global networks and ambitious peer founders
Create a clear roadmap for international growth and expansion
Take part in an in-market learning journey
What's included
The programme offer may include:
Residential scale-up sprint
A fully funded, intensive three-day residential learning experience focused on:
Leading yourself
Leading your team
Growing your market
Scaling sustainably
Funding your growth
Scale-up and business support
You'll get the following support:
360-degree business scale-up review
Dedicated Scottish Enterprise advisory support
Access to specialist business expertise
Access to Scottish Enterprise grants where eligible
Financial readiness support
You'll get support covering:
Financial literacy development
Investment readiness guidance
Preparation for investor conversations
Understanding your growth finance options
International growth support
You'll get support in the following areas:
Tailored market research
Market entry specialist support
International trade expertise
GlobalScot and international introductions
International Strategy Development Session
In-market learning journey to explore international exporting opportunities in Europe
Ongoing international support following programme completion
Women continue to be significantly underrepresented in investment-backed businesses. International Pathways to Scale has been designed to help address this gap by providing female founders with the confidence, skills, networks and support needed to secure investment and pursue international growth opportunities.
Who can apply?
The programme is designed for female founders/co-founders of highly ambitious, early-stage companies that are:
One to five years incorporated, headquartered in Scotland
Likely to be turning over £250,000 plus
Aiming to raise significant investment in 12 to 18 months
Likely to have two to 10 full-time employees
About to recruit the first c-suite leaders (or have already)
Building international ambition with clear market opportunities
Planning to grow by exporting within the next six to twelve months
A commercially proven and scalable business
We're particularly keen to hear from businesses operating in:
Life sciences
Technology and AI
Industrial biotechnology
Space
Energy and renewables
Photonics
Chemical sciences
Advanced manufacturing
Applications from other sectors with strong growth and international scaling potential are also welcome.
Programme timeline
Applications close – 5pm, 19 October 2026
Finalist interviews – 10 to 11 November 2026
Cohort confirmed – 13 November 2026
Programme onboarding session – 30 November 2026
Residential scale-up sprint – 26 to 28 January 2027
In-market learning journey – TBC March 2027
Reflections and next steps session – 24 March 2027
How to apply
To apply, complete our application form and send it to enquiries@scotent.co.uk by 5pm, Monday 19 October 2026.
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