Ready to Grow is a free collaborative programme from South of Scotland Enterprise Pathways in partnership with Women’s Enterprise Scotland, designed for established businesses that are ready to take their next stage of growth seriously.

The programme combines practical group learning, specialist financial and growth support, peer connections and tailored one-to-one coaching.

It is particularly aimed at women-led businesses and people from groups underrepresented in entrepreneurship, while remaining open to eligible businesses across Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders.

We ask participants to:

• attend as many sessions as possible
• actively work on their business growth plan
• complete agreed actions between sessions
• complete a short start and end evaluation
• contribute positively to the cohort and peer-learning environment.

Places are limited, so this programme is designed for businesses able to engage with the full learning journey.

We ask participants to attend as many sessions as possible, complete the agreed action planning and take part in the start and end evaluation.

We understand that occasional clashes happen, so missing one session would not automatically exclude you.

Places will be allocated through this short application process which includes a few simple questions about your business, your current growth ambitions and what you hope to gain from the programme.

Applications are open to eligible businesses across Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders.

Programme schedule

1. Thursday 12 November, 10am to 11.30am
Welcome and Ready to Grow
Meet the cohort, set your objectives and begin shaping your growth priorities.

2. Tuesday 24 November, 10am to 11.30am
Using Sales to Strengthen Your Business
Delivered by Women’s Enterprise Scotland. Explore how stronger sales activity can support cashflow, resilience and sustainable growth.

3. Tuesday 19 January, 10am to 11.30am
Bootstrapping for Growth
Delivered by Women’s Enterprise Scotland. Look at how to fund and manage growth using the resources already available within your business and begin developing your practical growth plan.

4. Tuesday 9 February, 10am to 11.30am
Routes to Growth

Choose the route most relevant to your business:

a) Growing through overseas customers and markets - For businesses interested in reaching new customers internationally and exploring opportunities beyond the UK.

b) Growing through services, markets and networks - For businesses focused on domestic growth, new markets, capacity, partnerships and other routes to sustainable growth.

5. Tuesday 23 February, 10am to 11.30am
Growth Progress and Peer Support
A practical opportunity to review progress, share challenges and learn from other businesses in the cohort

6. Tuesday 16 March, 10am to 11.30am
Final Peer Session and Next Steps
Delivered jointly by WES and SOSE, bringing the cohort back together to review progress, identify next steps and maintain momentum.

Participants may also be offered up to two one-to-one coaching sessions with SOSE business coaches to work on their individual growth priorities.

At least one of the later programme sessions is expected to be delivered in person in the South of Scotland, with the location decided once we understand where participants are based.

Complete short application form