Glasgow City Council has approved a new round of its Social Innovation Challenge Fund, investing in innovative programmes that help underrepresented entrepreneurs overcome barriers to starting and growing businesses.
The initiative will support organisations delivering tailored enterprise support to communities that continue to face systemic challenges in accessing entrepreneurship.
These may include people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, women, people with disabilities or minority ethnic communities.
The programme had a successful run in 2025/26, with over £230,000 allocated to help four organisations deliver bespoke programmes of support to over 100 people.
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “I’m delighted that the City Council is once again able to support our underserved communities in delivering on their entrepreneurial potential.
“For a multitude of reasons, too much business talent in this city hasn’t been given the support to flourish. Over recent years, the Social Innovation Challenge Fund has been about putting that right, empowering our underrepresented entrepreneurs and generating prosperity across all of Glasgow’s communities.
“Our message remains: wherever you are, and whatever your background, we want to work with you to ensure you get the support you need to start, scale, and grow your business.”
Looking to build on last year’s success, organisations with experience of business support were invited to collaborate and co-design innovative programmes of support. Applications were encouraged which sought to support early-stage entrepreneurs and start-ups, while being creative with new resources or forming new partnerships.
This resulted in 104 unique organisations attending information sessions, 52 Expressions of Interest, and 32 full applications. These proposals were then evaluated by a group comprised of Glasgow’s business support team, partnered by individuals with entrepreneurial experience and lived experience of the systemic barriers to entrepreneurship.
The successful programmes are:
Collective Communities CIC – Rolling Circle
This initiative will support underrepresented early-stage entrepreneurs through a rolling, place-based cohort model. Delivery will be based in the Calton ward, with participants drawn from across the city.
Community Renewal Trust – Roma Start-Ups: Inclusive Enterprise Pathways
This programme aims to deliver culturally competent enterprise support for Roma adults, women, and young people in Govanhill.
Gilded Lily Inspiring Enterprise CIC – Her Future Enterprise
This initiative seeks to provide grassroots enterprise support for female entrepreneurs to start or scale their own business. Delivery will be based in the Govan ward, with participants drawn from across the city.
Strange Field – Subtle Systems: Event Enterprise Development Programme
This initiative seeks to support under-represented young adults aged 18-30 from areas with high levels of social deprivation in Glasgow, to establish freelance businesses at live events. Delivery will be based in the Calton ward, with participants drawn from across the city.
Additional information can be found at The Social Innovation Challenge Fund.
Successful programmes will deliver their activity in the 2026/27 financial year. Participants in previous programmes remain eligible for support to start and grow their businesses through the Business Glasgow team. More detail on Glasgow’s business support services can be found at www.glasgow.gov.uk/businesssupport