Supporting women-led businesses an ‘economic imperative’ – Forbes

Supporting women-led businesses is an “economic imperative”, Kate Forbes is expected to say in speech in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

The Deputy First Minister is addressing a Pathways Pledge event – a gathering of organisations signed up to tech entrepreneur Ana Stewart’s Pathways Forward initiative, which aims to help remove barriers facing women in enterprise.

She is expected to reaffirm the Scottish Government’s support for women entrepreneurs, while also making clear that closing the gender gap “cannot be delivered by government in isolation”.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ms Forbes said: “Supporting women-led businesses to realise their full potential is an economic imperative.

“Businesses drive our economy. For Scotland to be a high growth, start-up nation and create the jobs of the future, we need to fully unlock our entrepreneurial potential.

“We need more women starting and growing businesses to drive inclusive growth.

“Ana’s work identified the clear need to address educational barriers and societal attitudes to truly close the gender gap in entrepreneurship.

“By supporting women to achieve their ambitions, we can unlock substantial economic benefit and provide the next generation with positive role models.

“This is a long-term undertaking and cannot be delivered by government in isolation, which is why Pathways Forward is an excellent example of what can be done through partnership – sectors coming together to pledge their support and to hold each other accountable.”

The Scottish Government invested a record £2.6 million in 2024-25 to widen female participation in entrepreneurship.

This is set to increase to at least £4 million in 2025-26 as part of an enhanced enterprise package commitment of £15 million.