Pathways Pre-start Fund: form and guidance

Funding criteria

The project must be fully delivered by 31 March 2024.

Your application will be assessed against the following key criteria

Widening participation

Projects must demonstrate ability to increase awareness and understanding of entrepreneurship. Projects must aim to reach people who might not otherwise consider entrepreneurship and business start-up, evidencing how this will encourage new entrepreneurial talent. It is essential for projects to actively work towards closing the gender gap in entrepreneurial participation.

Advance greater inclusion, equality and diversity

Applications should demonstrate how the project will advance greater inclusion, equality and diversity, particularly with respect to encouraging entrepreneurial talent from people in groups historically under-represented in entrepreneurship.

Support for wider Scottish Government priorities

Applications should support wider Scottish Government priorities, such as promoting a wellbeing economy, community wealth building, supporting fair work principles and reducing poverty.

Community involvement

Applications should demonstrate the clear demand for the project amongst the people it would serve, or evidence of the impact the project may have. The project should evidence how this is responsive to community and ecosystem needs.

Working in partnership

Applications should demonstrate how their organisation and project sits within Scotland’s entrepreneurial support landscape.