Supporting business

Entrepreneurship

We want to promote a culture of entrepreneurship that will help to grow and diversify Scotland's business base, while also helping people of all backgrounds to fulfil their potential.

Through Scotland CAN DO we continue to work with public, private and third sector partners towards the goal of becoming a world-leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation. A place where growth and innovation go hand in hand with wider benefits to all of society.

This includes supporting and promoting a wide range of activities designed to promote a 'CAN DO' culture at all levels of society.

Business

We have encouraged and helped businesses to start up, grow and innovate by:

  • investing annually in the Scottish EDGE Fund competition for Scotland's most talented and ambitious early-stage entrepreneurs
  • working with Co-operative Development Scotland to promote alternative and progressive business models, including through our involvement with Scotland for Employee Ownership
  • investing in the continuation of Unlocking Ambition: a flagship development fund designed to support young companies that are ready to take steps towards transformational growth
  • supporting the growth of an effective and integrated Scale movement for businesses on the path to exceptional growth – this includes the CAN DO Scale and Scale Up Scotland programmes
  • continuing our involvement, and investment, in VentureFest Scotland: an exciting festival of discovery and innovation focussed on the businesses of tomorrow

Youth and education

We are developing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among Scotland's young people and students by:

Through our CAN DO approach we have also strengthened the social and economic impact of entrepreneurship by:

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