Pathways to Scale programme

Join our new Pathways to Scale (PTS) programme for female founders. The programme will run from November 2024 to March 2025 and will help your company prepare for investment to scale. Once you’re part of the programme, you’ll also be able to apply for a grant of up to £20,000.

About the programme

PTS is a programme for 10 to 12 women, running from November 2024 to March 2025. If you're a woman leading a growth business, it'll help you prepare for investment to scale.

The programme offers:

• Strategic business growth and investment advice
• The opportunity to apply for a 'Pathways to Scale Journey Fund' grant of up to £20,000
• Peer support
• Investor network building
• Executive education – leadership, governance, sales, financial strategy, advanced pitching training

We want to change that. PTS is a ‘whole person’ executive education experience. It has a focus on the unique challenges women may face in business.

It'll take you on a journey to help boost your confidence and improve networking. The programme will also significantly enhance your financial management skills to help support your company.

Eligibility

PTS is open to female company founders and co-founders of an established start up business of likely one to five years old.

Your business will need to be headquartered in Scotland and have some commercial traction (or progress). 

Your business will also need to be based in the Scottish Enterprise region. South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) based applicants aren't eligible. 

You'll need to be able to show that your business has ambition to scale. For example, it should: 

• Likely have a turnover of around £100,000 plus
• Be aiming to raise investment of £500,000 plus in the next 12 to 18 months – this should include plans to make capital investments to increase productivity
• Likely have 2 to 10 full-time employees – so, the very early stages of growth, but beyond the initial start up phase
• Have international ambition with clearly identifiable market opportunities and rationale for regions targeted to export, or be looking to grow your current exporting by 100% within the next 6 to 12 months
• Have an innovative, scalable product or service, including a focus on key and future industries – for example: digital and tech, data and AI, energy, life sciences, quantum photonics, radio and semi-conductors, fintech, space, and industrial biotech as well as the broader clean energy industries

Full details 

The programme has three main elements, plus a final investor showcasing and networking event. There are different learning outcomes from each element of the programme.

Element 1 – ‘leadership for scale’ retreat

This is a two-day immersive retreat with an overnight stay and a networking dinner.

You'll learn: 

• Leadership skills for scaling up
• How to prepare yourself and your team for scale
• Getting the most out of your team
• Building effective and productive relationships

Element 2 – executive education

As part of Element 2, you'll learn: 

• Strategic sales for scaling up
• Building your advisory board and governance
• Advanced pitching skills with one-to-one follow up sessions
• Strategic finance for scaling up with financial management and skills workshop

Element 3 – advice and specialist support

As part of Element 3, you'll be able to access: 

• One-to-one financial and investment readiness support
• Specialist Scottish Enterprise support, for example around digital, innovation, international, and market research support

Investor showcase and networking event

A final investor showcase and networking event will also give you the opportunity to present your business, gain valuable constructive feedback, and consolidate your learning.

This event will provide you and and your business with exposure to potential investors.