of institutional investment goes to women-led companies in Scotland.
The Pathways Report
In March 2022, Ana Stewart was commissioned by Kate Forbes, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, to chair an independent review into female entrepreneurship in Scotland. The Pathways Report is the culmination of that review. Its recommendations are concerned with dramatically raising the participation level of women in the entrepreneurial economy, thereby increasing Scotland's entrepreneurial capacity and improving its economic performance.
The Ventures Lab supports the creation and growth of impact-led ventures in Scotland and beyond. Run by The Challenges Group, they help purpose-driven founders to validate their ideas, build resilient and investment-ready business models, and scale after investment — providing the flexible, hands-on support that ambitious ventures need to make a lasting difference.
First Pledged: June 2026
Venture Café Edinburgh
Venture Café Edinburgh is part of a global network built on the belief that isolation is the enemy of innovation. Through their weekly Thursday Gatherings and year-round community programmes, they create an open, energising space where founders, creators, investors and changemakers come together to collaborate, share ideas and turn bold ambitions into reality.
First Pledged: June 2026
Barclays
Barclays is one of the UK's leading financial institutions, with a long-standing commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and growing businesses across Scotland. Through their Eagle Labs programme and wider enterprise support activity, Barclays connects ambitious founders with the skills, networks and resources they need to scale — helping build a more inclusive and resilient economy.
First Pledged: June 2026
Cruinn Consulting
Founded in 2018, Cruinn Consulting is a Scottish recruitment consultancy built on honesty, integrity and a genuine commitment to building better teams. With a collaborative, people-first approach to understanding clients' needs, Cruinn delivers customised talent solutions across a range of sectors — empowering organisations and individuals to make the connections they need to succeed.
First Pledged: June 2026
RBC Brewin Dolphin
RBC Brewin Dolphin is one of the largest wealth management and financial planning firms in the UK and Ireland. It provides personalised investment management, retirement planning, and tax-efficient wealth structuring for individuals, charities, and businesses
First Pledged: June 2026
The Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe's top university-level institutions in the visual creative disciplines. It is ranked 3rd in the UK and 8th in the world for art and design in the QS World University Subject Rankings 2026
