Female entrepreneurs across Renfrewshire will soon be supported by an award-winning programme at University of the West of Scotland.

Working alongside Robert Gordon University and University of Stirling, UWS will receive a share of £83,000 from the Pathways Pre-start Fund to commence delivery of the project, to support women with parental responsibilities to start new ventures.

Led by RGU and launched in 2021 in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, the programme has so far supported 69 women who are considering starting their own business venture or entering self-employment while simultaneously supporting their parental needs.

Earlier in 2023 the programme won the Outstanding Business Engagement award at The Herald Higher Education Scotland Awards.

Through online, interactive workshops over a seven-week period, it takes participants through the necessary steps to create a feasible and viable business, focused on the needs of the customer. 

UWS is delighted to be part of this exciting project, reaching women in the Renfrewshire area, providing them with an accessible route, which both supports and enables their creativity building towards a viable business.

Lorraine Quinn, Head of Division (Marketing, Innovation, Tourism & Events) within the School of BCI at UWS

Ibiyemi Omeihe, Lecturer in Enterprise within the School of Business and Creative Industries at UWS, said: “UWS is proud to collaborate with Robert Gordon University (RGU) and the University of Stirling in the delivery of this programme to women in the Renfrewshire. We are excited to contribute to this transformative agenda that has already made a significant impact in nurturing entrepreneurship among women. UWS sees this partnership as a crucial step towards addressing gender disparities in entrepreneurship, especially in Renfrewshire. By providing these learning opportunities, women will be encouraged to chase their entrepreneurial aspirations and it also sets a precedent for cultivating a culture of enterprise.”

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