Welcome to this round up of the latest free support for your business.
Business Support.
Business Gateway Stirling -?Meet Our Advisers 1-2-1 Appointments
These one-to-one meetings are an opportunity for businesses based in and around Stirling to discuss their business with a Business Adviser.
Aberfoyle: Mon 29 Jul Bannockburn: Thurs 29 Aug Callander: Thurs 18 Jul City Centre: Tues 16 Jul Cowie: Thurs 11 Jul Drymen: Fri 2 Aug
These one-on-one virtual meetings offer employers a great chance to chat with an HR expert and gain valuable insights. During this half-hour session, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your specific HR concerns and questions with our expert and gain personalised advice and guidance.?Appointment Dates:
Stirling Council - Stirling 900 Tag
Stirling Council have created instructions for businesses to be able to add the Stirling 900 tag to their event listings with Data Thistle. A new main category tag for all events relating to the celebration of Stirling’s 900 anniversary as a burgh. Using this feature will allow your event listing to appear on the Stirling 900 page of the Your Stirling website. The process for adding this tag is as simple as clicking a button.?
Calling all Makers
Bannockburn House is seeking vendors to join their Makers Market. The team are looking for new crafters and food vendors to join their vibrant community of artisans at their upcoming market dates: 6th July and 3rd August 2024, from 10 am until 3 pm.?If you are interested in participating please contact the Bannockburn House Events Coordinator Paul Hannon on [email protected].
Introducing STEP's New Strategy!
Exciting News! STEP is thrilled to unveil our new strategy focused on growth, diversification, transformation, staff resilience and sustainability.We’re committed to expanding our impact, innovating our services, supporting our incredible team and promoting ethical and environmentally friendly practices. We’re also enhancing our focus on business wealth building to empower our community economically. Together, let’s make a positive difference in our economy!?Read the full strategy here.
The HEAT 2024 *** Closes 26 August 2024
Do you have a brilliant business idea? Are you either planning to start your business and want to get it off the ground or been in business for up to 2 years and want to shout about it! Then the HEAT competition could be for you. Enter this ‘Dragon’ Den’ style competition and be in with a chance of winning thousands of pounds worth of cash and business support prizes.?The Heat is a competition for the Forth Valley region, organised by Ceteris and Business Gateway Clackmannanshire with support from Business Gateway colleagues in Falkirk and Stirling. Its aim is to help budding and early-stage entrepreneurs get their ideas off the ground. HEAT stands for Highlighting Entrepreneurship All Together.All you need to do to enter is to complete a simple application form outlining:
That’s it! If successful, you’ll be invited along to pitch your idea to a panel of judges. The top three business ideas win prizes designed to help you turbo charge your business.The competition is strictly for Forth Valley businesses with less than two years of trading at the time of The HEAT final (September 2024), or entrepreneurs who have a new idea that they are hoping to develop into a successful business.
Stirling Council and The University of Stirling are inviting local businesses to participate in a survey aimed at developing a sustainable business strategy to support Stirling's events and culture programmes. Your input is crucial to ensure the strategy benefits both the council and local businesses.
Please take a moment to complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/e/nwqwMPNM46.Your feedback is highly valued and will significantly contribute to this initiative.
Participate in Research on Stirling Business Dynamics
Shayna Dubuisson, an MSc student in Intercultural Business Communications at Edinburgh Napier University, is seeking participants for a brief, one-time interview as part of her dissertation research. The study aims to explore the relationship dynamics between different positions within companies and their impact on the Stirling business community. The interview will be conversational, lasting 30-40 minutes, with a few key questions to guide the discussion.
Eligible companies must: - Have at least three hierarchical levels (e.g., CEO/owner, managers/supervisors, employees/team members) - Include at least nine individuals across these levels - Be actively engaged with the Stirling business community
Your participation will help enhance the understanding of the Stirling business ecosystem. To participate, please get in touch with Shayna at <[email protected]>. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Awards.
If you are nominated or win an award we can help spread the word - let us know at [email protected].?
2024 Inspire Volunteer Awards
The Inspire Volunteering Awards, scheduled to take place at the Albert Halls on the 18th of September 2024, aims to recognise and celebrate the unsung heroes of our community - the local volunteers and the organisations that support them. By shining a spotlight on their selfless contributions, it not only acknowledges their dedication but also inspires others to get involved, fostering a culture of giving back within our community.
This year, as Stirling commemorates its 900th anniversary, the Inspire Volunteering Awards hold special significance, celebrating not only its rich history but also the vibrant spirit of community engagement that has shaped it over the centuries.
They offer different levels of sponsorship, providing flexibility to align with an organisation's goals and values. Whether one chooses to sponsor a specific named award or support the overall event, their involvement will demonstrate their organisation's commitment to making a tangible difference in the local community.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Natalie Masterson at [email protected].
Last year, the BWS Top 100 Women in Business Awards were launched, marking the beginning of an incredible journey. The organisers were amazed by the sheer talent and determination displayed by women in business across Scotland.
Now, it's time to shine the spotlight once again! Nominations for the BWS Top 100 Awards will be opening in May! Whether individuals are trailblazing businesswomen themselves or they know someone deserving of recognition, it's easy to get involved. Nominate yourself or a fellow businesswoman, and let's celebrate the outstanding achievements together!
The esteemed judges will meticulously curate the Top 100, followed by the selection of a final 10 and the ultimate winner. Last year, the organisers were thrilled to crown Marie Macklin and Suzie McCafferty from Platinum Wave as joint winners!
Save the date! The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 22nd November at the Grand Central Hotel Glasgow.
Tickets are on sale now! Join for an afternoon filled with inspiration, celebration, and of course, a touch of fun!
Business Support Events.
University of Stirling Business Engagement -?Net Zero Support From Scotland’s International Environment Centre
8 July 12.00 - 13.00 | Online
This event is designed for small and medium-sized businesses.It's ideal if you are an entrepreneur, business owner, manager, or employee who wants to not only fully understand net zero, but also understand how to do carbon accounting, using primary data (the easy way) and prepare net zero plans, built off a baseline.
Business Gateway - Creating An Effective Email Marketing Strategy?
9 July 09.30 - 11.30 | Online
Email marketing is one of the best marketing channels to engage with your audience. This webinar will guide you through creating an email marketing strategy.
Business Gateway - An Introduction To Artificial Intelligence (AI) For Small Businesses
17 July 14.00 - 16.00 | Online?
This practical webinar will examine how AI can help make your marketing more efficient. AI isn’t the future, it’s here now, with free tools and systems that could help businesses of all sizes.
12 August 08.30 - 09.30 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park
Join us for a relaxed morning of networking and a complimentary breakfast and insights into innovative strategies for workforce development.
3 September 09.30 - 11.30 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park?
This event will give you the chance to expand your professional network while gaining valuable insights into the current state of the economy and Stirling's robust economic plan as influential speakers share insights and updates.
STEP - Forth Valley Employers Club
10 September 08.30 - 12.30 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park?
The ability to identify and bridge local and regional skills gaps is crucial for organisations seeking sustainable growth, long-term success and a thriving economy. That's why our upcoming Employers Club event aims to shed light on local and regional skills gaps and recruitment challenges. Through interactive discussions and expert insights, this event will delve into the pressing issues surrounding talent recruitment and retention in various local and regional contexts.
13 September 09.30 - 12.30 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park?
Join us for an engaging Food, Drink, and Tourism Forum, where industry experts share insights and opportunities for growth in these dynamic sectors.
20 September 11.30 - 14.30 | McLaren Community Leisure Centre, Callander
Join us at the Stirling Rural Business Forum, an event designed to empower rural business leaders with strategic insights.
STEP - Business Support Summit
25 September 09.00 - 12.00 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park
Join us for the Business Support Summit, a unique opportunity to connect and engage with leading organisations offering free and fully funded support to businesses.
31 October 08.30 - 09.30 | STEP, Stirling Enterprise Park?
Join us for a relaxed morning of networking and a complimentary breakfast at the InBusiness Breakfast and Networking event.
Consultations.
Stirling City Heritage Trust -?Stirling Heritage Strategy: Community Consultation?
Stirling City Heritage Trust is developing a Heritage Strategy for Stirling and we would love to hear your views if you live or work in the Stirling area. The strategy is for the whole of the Stirling Council area and we would like as many people as possible from across the region to give us their views.
The Stirling Heritage Strategy will help to identify what aspects of Stirling’s heritage are a priority for people and will include an Action Plan to focus delivery of projects.
Scottish Government - Review of Charity Regulations??***Closes 22 July 2024
The Scottish Government have launched this consultation because in the past people told them that they think there should be a review of charity regulation. They?want to understand if people still feel that way and if so, what you think should be the?purpose and parameters?for a review.
In 2019 they?ran a?consultation?about proposals the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) had made on improvements to the?Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. In response to that consultation some people told them?that they wanted a wider review of charity regulation.
Stirling Council -?Licensing Policy Statement 2024 consultation?***Closes 28 July 2024
Following an initial consultation on the District of Stirling Licensing Policy Statement, the District of Stirling Licensing Board want your views on the updated draft Policy Statement. The policy has been updated in relation to straightforward matters and these are highlighted in the draft document.
This policy provides details on the approach that the Board will take in dealing with applications made for liquor licences. It also sets out how the Board intends to use its statutory functions in line with the Licensing Objectives and its approach to matters such as licensed hours or children's access to licensing premises.
Funding.
Stirling Council -?Community Grants Programme Re-opens The Community Development Team is pleased to announce that Stirling Council’s community grants programme has now re-opened. The programme was reduced earlier this year with a 50% cut during the tough budget setting with difficult decisions to be made. As a result we had to review the grants criteria and make changes, the key headlines are:?
For full details of our community grants programme please visit the Council Community Grants pages here
SCVO - Create:Networks?*** Closes 5 August 2024
Create:Networks is a fund to help groups, organisations and creative practitioners create new, or develop existing, local creative networks as enablers for sustainable creative communities in Scotland.
Funded networks will be supported to develop and run a 12-month programme for their identified creative community/ies, enabling creative practitioners and businesses to connect, access opportunities and encourage greater sustainability.
The fund must be used to support activity for a local creative network which includes:
Forth Valley & Lomond CLLD - Community Led Local Development 2024/25 Programme?***Closes 17 May 2025
Funding of ￡5,000 to ￡30,000 for both revenue and capital projects which must be completed by 15 February 2025. Applications are invited from community groups and local businesses based in rural Stirling, Clackmannanshire and West Dunbartonshire proposing to deliver a project which meets one or more of the following priorities:
Submit your Expression asap to discuss your project with the CLLD Project Officer.
Firstport - Social Innovation Challenge
The Social Innovation Challenge is a grant-funding and support programme that seeks innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges of our times.
The Social Innovation Challenge is open to ideas at any stage of development, as long as they are new or different to what’s already taking place in their area.
The winner can use the funding to help with start-up fees, research and development, salaries and other essential costs, such as rent or buying critical equipment.
They are looking for applications that can show:
Firstport - Build It? ?***Closes 27 June 2024
领英推荐
A Build It award is for social enterprises with a track record of trading and social impact and that need salaried positions to take the business to the next level of financial sustainability. Typical requests are:
Firstport - Start It
A Start It award is designed to help new social entrepreneurs pay for start-up costs up to ￡5,000. These costs vary, but typical examples include:
Firstport - Pounds for Purpose?
Pounds for Purpose can you help cover the costs of getting your idea up and running up to ￡500. Costs can include hiring a venue, producing promotional materials, or insurance, amongst others. It all depends on what your idea is about. To be eligible, you must be an individual aged 18-26, seeking to make a positive change in the issues that matter to them. Open year round.
Scottish Government - Techstart Ventures Equity Finance
This funding includes Techstart Ventures Equity Finance, which is managed by Techstart Ventures on behalf of the Scottish Government. It provides equity finance of up to ￡2 million, in rounds of up to ￡10 million, for eligible businesses.
The equity funding can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Techstart Ventures invests principally in early stage startups and SMEs who are developing innovative new products with high growth and export potential. To be eligible for equity financing of up to ￡2 million from Techstart Ventures Equity Finance, businesses must:
Techstart Ventures Equity Finance is not sector-specific and businesses in a variety of sectors have already been supported under the fund, though certain sectors may be restricted.
Clackmannanshire Council - Clackmannanshire & Stirling Environmental Trust
The Trust manages landfill community fund credits raised through the land-filling of municipal waste from both Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils and in the past successful projects have included improvements to play areas, community halls, historic and religious buildings and local woodlands. Projects aimed at conserving or improving native biodiversity have also received support.For more information, application pack or advice, contact the trust at?[email protected]
Scottish Government - Foresight Scottish Growth Fund
The Scottish Growth Scheme is a package of financial support of up to ￡500 million for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland. Backed by the Scottish Government, it aims to help businesses grow.
This funding includes the Foresight Scottish Growth Fund, which is managed by the Foresight Group on behalf of the Scottish Government. It provides equity finance of up to ￡2 million in rounds of up to ￡10 million for eligible businesses.
This equity funding can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Scottish Enterprise - High-Growth Spinout Programme
The High-Growth Spinout Programme (HGSP) provides funding to support the commercialisation of advanced technologies developed at Scotland's universities, research institutes and NHS boards. The objective is to create new high-growth companies with the potential to generate significant economic impact in Scotland.
The purpose of the funding is to address gaps in the business plan for the prospective technology. The grant can support up to 100% of the direct costs of a project, up to a maximum of ￡75,000.
Supported activities include, but are not limited to:
Scottish Enterprise - Green Heat Innovation Support Programme?***Closes March 2026
The GHISP supports innovation and capital investment that will accelerate the roll out and adoption of green heating solutions and associated products.
It's about encouraging the growth of Scotland’s green heat market and helping projects in areas such as:
Scottish Enterprise - SMART: Scotland Grant??
Are you a small or medium-sized business seeking to develop a new product, process or service? The?SMART: SCOTLAND grant can support technically focused feasibility studies to help discover if your idea will work in the real world. ?
They can support up to 70% of the eligible costs for a small enterprise and up to 60% of the eligible costs for a medium enterprise. Studies must last between 6 and 18 months, and the maximum grant is ￡100,000. Feasibility is paid with a third of the grant in an upfront instalment and the rest is quarterly in arrears. ?
You may be eligible if:
This fund aims to support new entrants to farming (less than 5 years) by providing up to ￡500 per course for skills development and training on the practicalities of agriculture, plus wider business and sustainability skills.? ?
The Next Generation Practical Training Fund offers financial support to those resident in Scotland who are:
There is no age limit for applicants to the Next Generation Training Fund as agriculture attracts both mature new entrants and school leavers.
Employer Engagement - Parent Job Creation Scheme: A Lifeline for Parents Re-Entering Employment?
The Parent Job Creation Scheme addresses the employment needs of parents who are currently working. It provides funding for employers willing to create job positions specifically for parents. By funding a 25-hour-per-week role for a duration of six months, the scheme offers parents an essential pathway to regain financial independence and rebuild their careers.?? Whether you are a parent looking to benefit from these schemes or a business seeking support to create jobs or enhance existing positions, reaching out is simple. You can get in touch with the Employer Engagement team at [email protected] to explore how these initiatives can work for you.
Employer Engagement - Job Enhancement Scheme: Elevating Parental Careers
The Job Enhancement Scheme focuses on empowering parents already in the workforce. It offers lifelong learning opportunities, including accredited training, to help parents upskill and remain competitive in their careers. Employers are encouraged to invest in their workforce, with a particular focus on career progression and wage increases for parents.? Whether you are a parent looking to benefit from these schemes or a business seeking support to create jobs or enhance existing positions, reaching out is simple. You can get in touch with the Employer Engagement team at [email protected] to explore how these initiatives can work for you.
Green Space Scotland?- Tesco Stronger Starts?
Stronger Starts supports thousands of local community projects and good causes across the UK.?The scheme is open to all schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, with priority given to projects that provide food and support to young people. It provides grants of up to ￡1500 to local projects from across the whole of Scotland. We would encourage all groups and projects that support children and young people with a stronger start in life to apply.Stronger Starts is open to charities and community organisations to apply for a grant of up to ￡1,500?via an on-line application form. Every three months, three local good causes are selected to be in the blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK.
Applications are open to all local good causes, but the fund prioritises projects that support children's food security and health and local store nominated good causes. This is not an exhaustive list and other project ideas also welcomed.
Examples include:
Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise?- Cybersafe Community Grants?
Stirlingshire Voluntary Enterprise is pleased to announce the availability of a ￡750 grant for organisations in the region. The grant is specifically designed to support the hosting of Cybersafe outreach events. These events aim to disseminate crucial information related to online safety, covering topics such as creating secure passwords, using 2-factor authentication, identifying and handling scam/phishing emails, and securing laptops and phones. The grant provides an excellent opportunity for organisations to contribute to the community's awareness of cyber risks and resilience. Interested organisations can express their interest by completing the provided form, and SVE will respond promptly.
Historic Environment - Grants Programme
Historic Environment Scotland provides a range of grants and funding schemes to organisations developing projects that will benefit Scotland’s historic environment.Funding applications can focus on any aspect of Scotland's historic environment. For example, projects could involve:
Some examples of a typical project or activity are:
Clackmannanshire And Stirling Environment Trust - Scottish Landfill Communities Fund?
The Trust offers funding to projects through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF). It will consider applications across all types of projects included in the SLCF Objects including: land reclamation, community recycling, public amenities and parks, biodiversity and historic buildings.
Stirling City Heritage Trust - Traditional Building Repair Grant
Grants are available for traditional properties within the Stirling City boundary and in Bridge of Allan and Dunblane which are members of the Traditional Buildings Health Check.All owners within a building must be current members of the Traditional Buildings Health Check, and you will need to have had an inspection carried out by our team to assess the condition of your property. At the time of your grant payment, you will need to have a minimum of 3 months left of your membership.
The grant rate is 50% of eligible works up to a maximum of ￡15,000 per building, per year. So, for example, on a building in shared ownership, that is ￡15,000 in total for any common repairs which would be divided between Traditional Buildings Health Check members. There is a minimum grant of ￡2,000 so eligible works must exceed ￡4,000.
There is a finite amount of grant funding available and funds will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Scottish Enterprise - Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund?***Closes?31 March 2026
The Low Carbon Manufacturing Challenge Fund helps Scottish manufacturing companies that wish to pursue business growth by developing low carbon products, processes or services. This may be achieved through pure research and development (R&D), capital investment or environmental aid support.
The National Lottery and Creative Scotland -? Open Fund for Organisations (artistic, creative and cultural)?
Organisations can apply for between ￡1,000 and ￡100,000 to support creative activity that lasts up to 18 months.?
The types of activity eligible for funding are:?
The funding programme can also help organisations to undertake business and organisational development that will:
The funding programme is open all year round, with no deadlines - organisations can apply at any time.
Scottish Enterprise - Workforce Innovation Voucher scheme
The Workforce Innovation Voucher scheme is between ￡1,000 and ￡5,000 which can be used to develop a company’s workforce in partnership with a college or university.
Interface provides support with finding a suitable academic partner who has the right specialist expertise to progress your Research and Development project. Eligible businesses must be:?
The Princes Trust - Test My Business Idea Grant
If you've completed the Prince's Trust Explore Enterprise Course, you can apply for a Test My Business Idea grant of up to ￡500 to help you try a new business idea. The Test My Business Idea grant can be used for a variety of purposes, such as:
advertising
marketing
purchasing stock or equipment
building a prototype
When you first contact the Trust, you'll be paired with a caseworker who will get to know you and your business idea through some initial induction meetings. You'll complete some documents to get set up in the system, then you can enroll on the Prince's Trust Explore Enterprise Course. The Explore Enterprise Course includes 7 sessions that cover the basics of self-employment, HMRC and finance, pricing and sales, marketing, networking, cashflows, and business plans. Read more about the Explore Enterprise Course.
Scottish Enterprise - Regional Selective Assistance Funding
RSA funding is designed to support projects that will help create jobs and a greener economy. If your company is in need of at least ￡100,000 in grant funding, check your eligibility and start the application process today.
Scottish Enterprise - Scottish Land Fund
The Scottish Land Fund supports rural and urban communities to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land and land assets.
The fund offers grants of between ￡5,000 and ￡1 million to help communities take ownership of the land and buildings that matter to them, as well as practical support to develop their aspirations into viable projects.
It is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Scottish Enterprise -?SMART: SCOTLAND Grant
This is a research and development (R&D) grant for small and medium-sized businesses that aims to support high risk, highly ambitious projects. It covers conducting feasibility studies to show how ideas could work in the real world and supports activities that have a commercial endpoint.
Falkirk Council - Various Funding?
Falkirk Council recognises that Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected most businesses in some way. There are various funding options for those based in the Falkirk Council area.?
Fife Council - SME Development Grant?***Deadline 31 Jan 2025
Fife Council’s SME Development Grant provides financial support to help Fife-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop and grow.The fund provides small non-repayable grants to help with costs in 6 eligible areas:
Screen Scotland -?Funding
Screen Scotland is aiming to support the?growth of the screen sector through increased funding and support for film and television production, an increase in specialist staff and further investment in skills, festivals, audiences and education. Open funds include:?
?????Solutions Consultant | Technology | Science | Life | LinkedIn Influencer | Author, Tech Topics | My goal is to give, teach & share what I can. Featured on InformationWorth | Upwork | ITAdvice.io | Salarship.Com
2 个月Well done! Congratulations on your unique milestone!! ??