Business Glasgow offers a range of support to businesses across the life-cycle from pre-start pre-revenue through to mature companies that are contributing to the economic wealth of the city. We recognise the challenges faced and will continue to develop a range of support to assist businesses in Glasgow.
Glasgow City Council has introduced a new Green Business Support programme to help local companies transition to Net-Zero, reduce their energy costs and become more resilient to climate change. The programme is part of the Glasgow Green Deal, a nine-year mission to transform the city’s economy to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.
Glasgow City Council’s Glasgow Business Growth Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will be delivered by the Business Growth team within Economic Development.
The aim of the programme is to create a truly connected and collaborative network of specialist support and expertise by bringing together the public, private, education and third sectors to develop and deliver an unrivalled level of support in the UK, one that has the sole objective of growing the city economy in a fair and inclusive way.
There is also a range of Business Accelerator Programmes that combine traditional teaching methodologies with guidance and mentorship, meaning businesses can grow at an accelerated rate.
Find out more about the Glasgow Business Growth Programme.
Starting a business can be a challenge. Whether it’s writing a business plan, understanding and accessing finance or establishing how to market and sell products or services, our advice and support can help. Through dedicated workshops and the Business Gateway service, our Business Advisers can help.
Find out more about how we can support you to start a business - starting a business.
Having started your business and invested the time, energy and commitment, you may be at the stage of looking to grow your business. Identifying the right premises, penetrating new markets, accessing public sector opportunities, ensuring your company has the right structure and recruiting staff are only some of the challenges you may face. Our skilled Business Advisers can work with you to develop your strategic plan and realise your business aspirations.
Read our case study on MacGregor and MacDuff, a successful growing Scottish Highland Wear Specialists business based in Glasgow.
Find out more about how we can support you to grow your business - growing a business.
Access to finance is a critical part of running any business. Whether through mainstream or alternative financing routes, our Business Advisers can offer guidance and information on a range of options available to help your business grow and develop across its life-cycle.
Read our case study on Safehinge, an award winning product design company who with the help of Business Adviser Irene Holding have secured financial support to grow their business.
Contact us today to see how we can help you source finance for your business.
Recruiting and retaining staff to help your business grow and develop can often be a challenge. Through the Glasgow Guarantee programme, our Business Advisers can help you recruit from the Glasgow Guarantee pool of eligible candidates, and assist with paying part of the salary. This commitment can help lay the foundations for growing and expanding your business.
Having grown and nurtured your business, one of the most difficult stages is to consider moving on and letting someone else take over. Succession planning and valuation is an important dimension of business and our Business Advisers can offer support and advice to ensure the transition is planned and considered. They can also help entrepreneurs looking to acquire a business and ensure sustainable economic growth in Glasgow.
See a recent case study of Glasgow business Reid Brothers who successfully received the Glasgow Business Transfer Loan Fund.
The Council will establish a fund to support tech community events in the City. Those who are organising events can apply for funding that is required to hold an event such as catering and venue hire. This may be used for supporting market square activities such as tech meet-ups, founder events and hackathons.
This fund is directly aimed at encouraging both the establishment of and attendance at market square activity in Glasgow and is open to any organisation hosting events in Glasgow.
Find out more about this fund.
The Council will provide a rent subsidy grant for tech SMEs that can be used to subsidise the costs of office space with the right levels of flexibility and suitability, to encourage these businesses to locate in collaborative environments and directly participate in and deliver market square activity.
A two-year rent subsidy capped at £15K in total will help eligible SMEs with the costs of office space in the city. This grant will allow SMEs to choose the working space and location that is appropriate for their needs.
Find out more about this grant.
The Council will provide a grant allocation for organisers that can be used to subsidise the costs of hosting and delivering events that attract both UK & international tech businesses and employers, talent, investors and the tech diaspora to Glasgow.
A grant up to a maximum value of £15K per annum is available to support eligible organisers with the costs of delivering a tech ecosystem-focused event against set criteria with a view to showcasing the indigenous tech ecosystem to a wider audience.
This subsidy focuses specifically on activity and events physically located within the Glasgow City boundary. As such, it is designed to support professional projects and applications will not be considered for purely social events.
The grant is now open for applications. The Grant will close to new applications on 20th December 2024 or when budget is fully allocated (whichever is earlier).
Find out more about this subsidy.
Contact us today to see how we can help.
