Join us for the upcoming Women in Enterprise Cross Party Group, hosted by Women’s Enterprise Scotland, as we discuss "Unlocking the multi-billion pound opportunity in women’s entrepreneurship."

Event details:

• Date: 16 March 2026
• Time: 12.00-1.00pm
• Location: Online (Zoom) 

This lunchtime session builds on recent international engagement by Women’s Enterprise Scotland exploring how different models of business support can unlock women’s economic potential and strengthen local economies. The discussion will consider what lessons can be drawn for Scotland, building on recent international engagement by Women’s Enterprise Scotland and the Women and Equalities Committee’s findings on the barriers women entrepreneurs face.

Joining us will be Corinne Goble, Chief Executive of the US-based Association of Women’s Business Centres, who will share insights from the women’s business centre model in the United States. This approach has demonstrated strong economic returns, generating up to US$15 for every US$1 invested or lent. The session will also reflect on recent findings from the UK Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee, which highlighted persistent gaps in access to finance, networks and advocacy for women entrepreneurs. 

The session will also include a contribution from Jill McAlpine, who will present an overview of research undertaken by Highland Business Women on women’s access to finance and experiences of HIE grant eligibility. Her contribution will ground the discussion in the lived experiences of women entrepreneurs in Scotland, highlighting practical barriers within existing funding systems and offering insights into where changes could better support women-led businesses at different stages of growth.