Elevator to lift up women in business

Women across Tayside and Grampian are being given a platform to discuss barriers and challenges which come with starting or running a business.

The business support organisation, Elevator, launched a new initiative at the start of the year for women across the north east to access Royal Bank of Scotland’s crowdfunding programme, Back Her Business.

Back Her Business has been designed to help women raise money for their concept or idea through crowdfunding.

As part of the initiative, Elevator is hosting its first, free to attend, virtual “unconference” to talk to women about what is stopping them embarking on their own entrepreneurial journey.

Framed around the theme “Let’s Talk”, the event will help women across the region to identify and remove potential barriers.

Feedback from participants will help shape future events and activities.

Cat Ward, programme lead at Elevator, said: “Many women have ideas to help transform society, through reimagining and reinventing, however there are triggers which cause doubt and ultimately block these ideas coming to fruition. Our unconference will focus on the causes of these triggers, which in turn will enable our team to theme future workshops and events to ensure those registered are provided with the specific support they are looking for.

“Additionally, we will offer encouragement and inspiration for more women to become fearless with their thinking – turning adversity into opportunity.”

Elevator will host a number of events and workshops to shape its “what’s stopping you?” initiative, starting with a digital “unconference” tomorrow.

Cat Ward, programme lead at Elevator, and Emma Millar of RBS.