Free event for business women

IAN BUNTING

Aspiring and existing

business women across

attend a free event offering

expert advice and access to

funders.

The Closing the Female Funding Gap showcase will take place on Wednesday, November 27, in the Coatbridge campus of New College Lanarkshire.

It follows the successful launch of Lanarkshire Women in Business (LWIB) last month – a brand new initiative designed to boost female entrepreneurship in the region.

Organisers North and South Lanarkshire councils, Business Gateway Lanarkshire, New College Lanarkshire and Federation of Small Businesses want the event to “informative and interactive”.

The meeting will spotlight inspiring female- led businesses, with speakers sharing their individual business and funding journeys; provide expert guidance and top tips to help boost access to funding; improve knowledge and understanding of different funding types ( equity, crowdfunding, loans and grants); and include the opportunity to network and meet funding partners.

Yvonne Weir, enterprise manager at North Lanarkshire Council, said: “Feedback from our LWIB launch was pretty conclusive; finance was highlighted as a key area of interest to the women who attended.

“We have also taken note of findings from the Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship which identified ‘low access and awareness of capital’ as a barrier for women in starting and growing businesses.

“This event will focus on closing gaps, both in knowledge around the different funding sources that exist, as well as the skills needed to secure funding.

“We will be turning the tables, asking a line-up of local, regional and national funding organisations to pitch to our audience of female attendees in seven minute slots; this will help provide clarity resulting in better informed funding choices.

“Levels of energy and enthusiasm were high at our LWIB launch; we want this event and future ones to build on that momentum.”

Closing the Female Funding Gap will run from 5.30/6pm until 8pm, with extra time available for networking; to book a place, visit www. bgateway. com/ events/ lanarkshire- women- inbusiness-14605.