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# Pathways Forward

A new approach for women in entrepreneurship

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://pathwaysforward.co/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [News](https://pathwaysforward.co/news/)
- [Pathways Pledge gaining further momentum as membership reaches 50, and over 100 active Pledges](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-pledge-gaining-further-momentum-as-membership-reaches-50-and-over-100-active-pledges/) - © Anna Moffat Photography 2026. Barclays, Venture Café Edinburgh, Cruinn Consulting, The Ventures Lab, join existing member Elevator for the 8th cohort of Pathways Pledge, the independent initiative where companies sign up to actions aimed at driving diversity, equal opportunity and female participation in entrepreneurship and business Ana Stewart: “As well as making strides in
- [Ana Stewart's Pathways Pledge grows to seventh cohort as five organisations step up for female founders](https://pathwaysforward.co/ana-stewarts-pathways-pledge-grows-to-seventh-cohort-as-four-organisations-step-up-for-female-founders/) - © Anna Moffat Photography 2026. The Glasgow School of Art, Maven Capital Partners, BTO, Nile and RBC Brewin Dolphin join Pledge initiative where organisations sign up to specific actions aimed at driving diversity, equal opportunity and female participation in entrepreneurship and business In March, analysis by the ScaleUp Institute in partnership with Pathways Forward revealed
- [Pathways Pledge Annual Review: Over 40 Organisations Driving Gender Diversity in Scottish Entrepreneurship](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-pledge-annual-review-over-40-organisations-driving-gender-diversity-in-scottish-entrepreneurship/) - All images © Anna Moffat Photography 2026. All other rights are reserved. Use in any other context is expressly prohibited without prior permission. The findings of the Female Founders Scottish Index were outlined at today's Pathway Pledge Annual Review in Edinburgh. Over 40 organisations have now signed up to more than 100 actions aimed at
- [Pathways Forward announces latest Pledge cohort and appoints former Rose Review Industry Lead](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-forward-announces-latest-pledge-cohort-and-appoints-former-rose-review-industry-lead/) - Burness Paull, FWB, Investing Women Angels, and Cazenove Capital commit to high-level Pledges Jo Forster, former Industry Lead for the Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship joins Pathways Forward as Industry Lead Strategic design firm Nile’s founder Sarah Ronald and University of Edinburgh senior lecturer and entrepreneurship expert Dr Samuel Mwaura join advisory team Pathways Forward,
- [Ana Stewart’s Pathways Pledge initiative welcomes fifth cohort](https://pathwaysforward.co/ana-stewarts-pathways-pledge-initiative-welcomes-fifth-cohort/) - © Anna Moffat Photography 2025. Pathways Forward signs up Connect Three, the University of Edinburgh, Geovation Scotland, BGF, Mint Ventures, and Firstport to Pathways Pledge, totalling 32 Pledge partners to date Pledges in the fifth cohort include hosting events to enhance DEI understanding in entrepreneurship, data collection to inform interventions and support for female entrepreneurs,
- [Pathways Forward announces new pledges from first cohort and publishes results from year one](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-forward-announces-new-pledges-from-first-cohort-and-publishes-results-from-year-one/) - Pathways Forward has published the results of the Pathways Pledge’s first cohort after reaching the end of their first 12-month period. AccelerateHER, CivTech, CodeBase, Deloitte, Eos Advisory, Scottish EDGE, and the Scottish National Investment Bank each committed to actionable steps aligned with the principles set out in the Pathways Report, with their performance measured over
- [Pathways Forward set for Pathways Pledge Annual Review with launch of fourth Pathways Pledge cohort](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-forward-set-for-pathways-pledge-annual-review-with-launch-of-fourth-pathways-pledge-cohort/) - Entrepreneurial Scotland, Dechomai, Ooni, Archangels, Par Equity, and the University of Glasgow have joined the latest Pathways Pledge cohort, with the four cohorts totalling 26 organisations since the initiative was set up last year Pathways Forward was launched in September 2023 following the publication of the Scottish Government-commissioned Pathways: A New Approach For Women in
- [Ana Stewart’s Pathways Forward announces 3rd cohort of Pledge partners](https://pathwaysforward.co/ana-stewarts-pathways-forward-announces-3rd-cohort-of-pledge-partners/) - Pathways Forward’s Ana Stewart with colleagues and representatives from some of the Pledge 3rd cohort. FDM, Elevator, Equity Gap, EY, and STAC commit to actionable steps aligned with the principles set out in the Pathways report, and to engender effective change within their own organisations. Latest cohort join AccelerateHER, CivTech, CodeBase, Deloitte, Eos Advisory, Scottish
- [Pathways Forward announces 2nd cohort of Pathways Pledge partners](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-forward-announces-2nd-cohort-of-pledge-partners/) - Converge, The Open University in Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, SIS Ventures, Social Investment Scotland, South of Scotland Enterprise, and the University of Strathclyde commit to actionable steps aligned with the principles set out in the Pathways report. The latest cohort join AccelerateHER, CivTech, CodeBase, Deloitte, Eos Advisory, Scottish EDGE, and the Scottish
- [Pathways Forward partners with Female Founders Rise to stage inaugural Female Founders Growth Summit](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-forward-partners-with-female-founders-rise-to-stage-inaugural-female-founders-growth-summit/) - Pathways Forward is set to stage the inaugural Female Founders Growth Summit at the RBS Conference Centre at Gogarburn in Edinburgh on Thursday 5th September in partnership with Female Founders Rise, a UK-wide resource and community for female founders building growth businesses. The all-day event will focus on women who are already scaling or planning
- [Scot Gov: Support for start-up businesses](https://pathwaysforward.co/scot-gov-support-for-start-up-businesses/) - Extra investment to grow and nurture high-growth businesses and entrepreneurs has been announced. The £5 million package will help deliver end-to-end support for Scotland’s start-up companies. It forms part of an ongoing to commitment to deliver on the recommendations of the Logan report into developing a world-class technology sector, and the Pathways report which is
- [Pathways Pledge Launches with First Signatories](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-pledge-launches-with-first-signatories/) - Pathways Forward has launched its Pledge initiative with leading organisations committing to actionable steps aligned with the principles set out in the Pathways report, with their performance measures over a 12-month period. AccelerateHER, CivTech, CodeBase, Deloitte, Eos Advisory, Scottish EDGE, and the Scottish National Investment Bank are the first members of Pathways Pledge, which is set

## Pages

- [Home](https://pathwaysforward.co/) - Pathways Forward has been created in response to extensive public and private sector engagement and momentum generated by the Pathways Report.
- [Case Studies](https://pathwaysforward.co/elementor-4190/) - Pledge in Practice Real organisations. Real actions. Real impact. Pledge in Practice is our case study series, shining a light on the organisations across our community who are turning their commitments into concrete, lasting change for female founders. Each story is different. The actions vary. But the thread running through all of them is the
- [Female Founders Growth Summit](https://pathwaysforward.co/female-founders-growth-summit/) - The Female Founders Growth Summit 2025 was a success! With over 200 founders in attendance, we hosted the biggest event for female founders in Scotland. The day was filled with investor office hours, workshops, guest speakers and panellists, and networking.The purpose of the Summit is to connect scale-up founders with key enablers in the investor
- [Pathways Pledge](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledge/) - The Pledge is a light touch, collaborative initiative where organisations implement their own actions, using the Pathways Report as the 'manifesto' for change.
- [Our Pledging Partners](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledge-partners/) - Our Pledging Partners Explore our pledging organisations to find out what they are doing to affect positive change for women in business and entrepreneurship. AccelerateHER A vibrant network of female founders and partners who share the passion to accelerate the growth, visibility and backing of talented female business founders and leaders. First Pledged: February 2024
- [Team](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/) - Team The Pathways team is made up of industry experts with extensive experience in the field on entrepreneurship. Ana Stewart Learn More Sally Hasselgren Learn More Jo Forster Learn More Prof. Eleanor Shaw OBE Learn More Key Advisor Prof. Mark Logan OBE Learn More Key Advisor Darina Garland Learn More Key Advisor Dr Samuel Mwaura
- [Pathways Report](https://pathwaysforward.co/pathways-report/)
- [Contact](https://pathwaysforward.co/contact/) - Pathways Forward is a movement. The vision of a nation where women entrepreneurs are able to flourish cannot be realised without diversified and shared action.
- [Home 2](https://pathwaysforward.co/home-2/) - A new approach for women in entrepreneurship. 1 in 5 of Scotland's entrepreneurs are women 2% 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.
- [Building Momentum](https://pathwaysforward.co/building-momentum/) - Building Momentum Pathways Forward is a movement. The vision of a nation where women entrepreneurs are able to flourish cannot be realised without diversified and shared action. There are a number of ways to get involved. Social Media Follow and amplify our work on Twitter and LinkedIn Twitter Linkedin-in Join the Charter The Pathways Report
- [Press Pack](https://pathwaysforward.co/press-pack/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://pathwaysforward.co/privacy-policy/) - Home Privacy Polivy Last updated: 02/09/23 Pathways Forward (“us”, “we”, or “our”) operates the Pathways Forward website (the “Service”). This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information when you use our Service. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this

## JetPopup

- [Make a Pledge](https://pathwaysforward.co/jet-popup/full-view/) - Who can become a Pledger? Organisations from across the country, regardless of industry sector or size, can participate in the pledge. Being part of a large and aligned movement will amplify, accelerate, and improve outcomes. Pledgers underpin the Pathways strategy, and their combined work will have a louder voice and bigger impact. Our focus is
- [Team](https://pathwaysforward.co/jet-popup/classic/) - Team dsdd

## My Templates

- [Elementor Header #21](https://pathwaysforward.co/?elementor_library=elementor-header-21) - Content area
- [Single News Post](https://pathwaysforward.co/?elementor_library=elementor-archive-1452) - Events Pathways Forward produces events throughout the year discussing the themes surrounding the report. These are recorded and previous events can be viewed as part of our resources section. Get in touch Upcoming Events No Upcoming Events Past Events Pathways in Investment – Online Panel November 16, 2023, 1.00 pm Learn More Pathways: A New
- [News/Archive #2546](https://pathwaysforward.co/?elementor_library=elementor-archive-2546) - News June 29, 2026 Pathways Pledge gaining further momentum as membership reaches 50, and over 100 active Pledges Learn More May 5, 2026 Ana Stewart’s Pathways Pledge grows to seventh cohort as five organisations step up for female founders Learn More March 4, 2026 Pathways Pledge Annual Review: Over 40 Organisations Driving Gender Diversity in
- [Elementor Single Post #2603](https://pathwaysforward.co/?elementor_library=elementor-single-post-2603) - Elementor Single Post #2603 November 24, 2024 © Anna Moffat Photography 2026. Barclays, Venture Café Edinburgh, Cruinn Consulting, The Ventures Lab, join existing member Elevator for the 8th cohort of Pathways Pledge, the independent initiative where companies sign up to actions aimed at driving diversity, equal opportunity and female participation in entrepreneurship and business Ana
- [Company Template](https://pathwaysforward.co/?elementor_library=elementor-single-page-2806) - Pledge Partners > Pledging Since: Pledges in Progress Company Template Visit Website Other Pledgers Connect Three Connect Three upskill and improve team leader, manager and leadership capability through virtual and/or face-to-face workshop programmes and tailored bespoke approaches. First Pledged: July 2025 The Glasgow School of Art The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised
- [Default Kit](https://pathwaysforward.co/?elementor_library=default-kit)
- [Maintenance Mode](https://pathwaysforward.co/?elementor_library=maintenance-mode) - Maintenance Mode Thank you for your patience during this time. We are currently making improvements to enhance your experience. Please check back soon for updates. Your support means a lot! Get in touch X-twitter Linkedin-in
- [Elementor Footer #312](https://pathwaysforward.co/?elementor_library=elementor-footer-312) - Content area

## Companies Post Type

- [Elevator](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/elevator/) - Elevator is Scotland's leading social enterprise deliverer of enterprise and business support. With a mission to ignite, nurture and grow entrepreneurial spirit, Elevator empowers individuals, businesses and communities to reach their full potential through a wide range of tailored programmes — from start-up support and leadership development to women's enterprise and community wealth building.
- [Burness Paull](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/burness-paull/) - Burness Paull is a full-service, independent Scottish commercial law firm focused on employing and working with the best people to deliver a consistently high-quality service to clients.
- [The Ventures Lab](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/the-ventures-lab/) - 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.
- [Venture Café Edinburgh](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/venture-cafe-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.
- [Barclays](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/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.
- [Cruinn Consulting](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/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.
- [RBC Brewin Dolphin](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/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
- [Nile](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/nile/) - Nile is a strategic design consultancy that helps regulated enterprises make the right calls where technology, regulation and human consequence collide.
- [BTO](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/bto/) - BTO Solicitors LLP is a modern, full service legal practice with strong roots in the Scottish business community.
- [Maven](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/maven/) - Maven is a leading private equity and property manager, with over 120 executives based across our UK office network.
- [The Glasgow School of Art](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/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
- [FWB](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/fwb/) - Headquartered in Edinburgh, FWB is a leading UK wide boutique Executive Search & Board Advisory firm. In addition to working with clients in all industry and business sectors on search mandates, they deliver a variety of services including management due-diligence, remuneration benchmarking and executive education through their partnership with the University of Edinburgh Business School.
- [Firstport](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/firstport/) - Like many of the businesses Firstport support, they are a charity and social enterprise. For over 16 years, they have been helping budding social entrepreneurs make their ideas happen. From the start, they have offered grant funding and business advice. Over the years, they've grown and developed new services including investment readiness support and social
- [Mint Ventures](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/mint-ventures/) - Mint Ventures is a women angel investment group offering a fresh approach to make angel investing more accessible for women and to provide new sources of capital for companies with diverse leadership and a clear social ethical or environmental purpose to grow.
- [Investing Women Angels](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/investing-women-angels/) - Investing Women Angels is an active and vibrant female-led angel investment syndicate. They exist for the advancement of female founded and female led businesses, through investment, community, and education, and also to build women’s involvement in investing.
- [Connect Three](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/connect-three/) - Connect Three upskill and improve team leader, manager and leadership capability through virtual and/or face-to-face workshop programmes and tailored bespoke approaches.
- [Cazenove Capital](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/cazenove-capital/) - Cazenove Capital are a high-net-worth wealth management division of Schroders, the global investment firm, in the UK. They work with individuals, families, financial advisers, family offices and charities. Their clients benefit from the resources and expertise of their parent company as well as relationships with specialist investment partners around the world. Schroders’ founding family remains
- [BGF](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/bgf/) - BGF is the most active equity investor in the UK and Ireland. They exist to provide long-term, minority investment and value creation support to growing companies.
- [Geovation Scotland](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/geovation-scotland/) - Geovation Scotland help unlock greater value from their national geospatial, land & property data assets by supporting entrepreneurs, innovators and developers bring new location data and property services to market through an accelerator programme for early-stage founders and a UK-wide community of PropTech and GeoTech experts.
- [University of Edinburgh](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/university-of-edinburgh/) - As one of Scotland’s four ancient universities, Edinburgh has been influencing the world for more than four centuries.
- [CivTech](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/civ-tech/) - CivTech is a Scottish Government programme that brings the public, private and third sectors together to build things that make people’s lives better.
- [Deloitte](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/deloitte/) - Deloitte help advance inclusive and sustainable progress across the issues that matter most.
- [The University of Glasgow](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/the-university-of-glasgow/) - The University of Glasgow has been changing the world since 1451. It is a world top 100 university and a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities.
- [Par Equity](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/par-equity/) - Founded in 2008, Par Equity have designed their model to identify and support the most innovative, high-growth technology companies, from Seed to Series A.
- [Ooni](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/ooni/) - Ooni designs, makes and sells pizza ovens.
- [Dechomai](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/dechomai/) - Dechomai is a social enterprise passionate about empowering ethnic minority individuals with leadership and enterprise skills.
- [Entrepreneurial Scotland](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/entrepreneurial-scotland/) - An independent charity with 20+ years of experience in helping people to build the belief, mindset and connections they need to accelerate growth and make an impact.
- [Smart Things Accelerator Centre](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/smart-things-accelerator-centre/) - Supporting start-ups to have the highest chance of long-term success through meaningful mentorship supported directly by industry leaders.
- [EY Scotland](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/ey-scotland/) - Our Scotland team serves the local business community from entrepreneurs to large corporates, by providing insights and driving growth.
- [Equity Gap](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/equity-gap/) - Equity Gap is an Edinburgh based angel investment syndicate, established to help match investors with entrepreneurs looking for early stage business funding.
- [FDM](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/fdm/) - FDM is a global network of leaders and experts. FDM enables their clients and consultants to stay ahead and thrive in the constantly evolving world of tech.
- [The University of Strathclyde](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/the-university-of-strathclyde/) - Founded in 1796 as 'A Place of Useful Learning', the University of Strathclyde is a leading technological University with around 30,000 students from more than 140 nations.
- [Social Investment Scotland](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/social-investment-scotland/) - Social Investment Scotland (SIS) is a social enterprise and charity offering loan funding and business support for social enterprises, charities and community groups.
- [South of Scotland Enterprise](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/south-of-scotland-enterprise/) - South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) is the economic and community development agency for the South of Scotland. SOSE is here to help businesses and enterprising communities throughout Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders to thrive, grow, and fulfil their best potential.
- [Scottish Enterprise](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/scottish-enterprise/) - Scottish Enterprise is Scotland’s national economic development agency. They help ambitious businesses to innovate and scale. Using their global reach and networks, they attract inward investment and enable Scottish companies to export and enter new markets.
- [The Royal Bank of Scotland](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/the-royal-bank-of-scotland/) - The Royal Bank of Scotland has always been the bank for Scotland's tomorrow-makers. Here for your personal and business banking needs.
- [The Open University in Scotland](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/the-open-university-in-scotland/) - The Open University in Scotland provides supported distance learning to over 19,500 students in Scotland, widening access to higher education.
- [Archangels](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/archangels/) - Originally formed in 1992 and based in Edinburgh, Archangels is a prominent business angel syndicate which has been at the forefront of early stage investing in Scotland for more than a quarter of a century.
- [Scottish EDGE](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/scottish-edge/) - Scottish EDGE is a business competition which identifies, funds and supports early-stage, innovative, high-growth potential entrepreneurs in Scotland.
- [The Scottish National Investment Bank](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/the-scottish-national-investment-bank/) - The Scottish National Investment Bank is a development investment bank, established and funded by Scottish Ministers on behalf of the people of Scotland.
- [Eos](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/eos/) - Eos invests in, and commercialises, science and technology, from local seed-stage to global scale, with a focus on improving lives. We have deep roots in Scotland, with a global perspective.
- [CodeBase](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/codebase/) - CodeBase is an ecosystem builder, building better startup ecosystems. By lowering the barriers to entry for startup founders and accelerating their growth, and providing SMEs with the support they need to scale, we create a healthier, wealthier and more sustainable society. Techscaler is a programme for building, growing and scaling tech startups in Scotland, delivered
- [AccelerateHER](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/accelerate-her/) - A vibrant network of female founders and partners who share the passion to accelerate the growth, visibility and backing of talented female business founders and leaders.
- [Converge](https://pathwaysforward.co/pledgers/converge/) - Converge works with Scotland’s universities to empower staff, students and graduates to transform academic research and innovation into real-world solutions. Through collaboration, Converge harnesses expertise, knowledge and connections to support the creation of impactful businesses that contribute to a more sustainable future.

## Team

- [Sally Hasselgren](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/sally-hasselgren/)
- [Sarah Ronald](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/sarah-ronald/)
- [Dr Samuel Mwaura](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/dr-samuel-mwaura/)
- [Darina Garland](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/darina-garland/)
- [Prof. Mark Logan OBE](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/mark-logan/)
- [Ana Stewart](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/ana-stewart/)
- [Prof. Eleanor Shaw OBE](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/professor-eleanor-shaw/)
- [Jo Forster](https://pathwaysforward.co/team/joanna-forster/)

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://pathwaysforward.co/category/uncategorized/)

## TeamType

- [Advisory Board](https://pathwaysforward.co/teamtype/advisory-board/)
- [Key Advisor](https://pathwaysforward.co/teamtype/key-advisors/)