Glasgow Launches £250,000 Social Innovation Challenge Fund to Support Diverse Entrepreneurs
Glasgow is taking a bold step toward fostering a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem with the launch of the Social Innovation Challenge Fund. With £250,000 on offer, this fund aims to address barriers faced by under-represented groups, including women and ethnic minority communities, who often find themselves excluded from traditional business support systems.
Applications for funding open on 5 December 2024, and organisations across Glasgow are being encouraged to submit proposals to help empower early-stage entrepreneurs and start-ups from underserved communities.
Entrepreneurship can be a challenging journey, but for many in under-represented groups, systemic barriers make it even harder. From limited access to funding and resources to navigating networks that traditionally overlook diverse talent, the odds are stacked against many would-be entrepreneurs.
Glasgow City Council hopes the Social Innovation Challenge Fund will change that narrative. Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of the Council, explained the fund’s vision:
“There are many entrepreneurs and innovators within Glasgow's underserved communities. Our job is to help unlock and nurture the potential amongst those who've operated too long under the radar of support.”
Aitken emphasised that this initiative is about removing barriers, broadening access to support, and ensuring all Glaswegians, regardless of background, can realise their entrepreneurial ambitions.
The fund is not aimed directly at individual start-ups but instead focuses on organisations that can design and deliver support programmes for diverse groups. Eligible applicants include:
Existing organisations with experience in supporting entrepreneurs or social enterprises.
Established organisations developing new projects for pre-start-ups and start-ups that inspire and strengthen links between business support services and under-represented communities.
Third-sector organisations and social enterprises enabling entrepreneurial activity in marginalised groups.
Applicants must operate within Glasgow and align their projects with the fund’s core objectives. These include promoting entrepreneurial engagement among under-represented groups, enhancing access to business support, and fostering networks for minority ethnic and under-invested communities.
The Social Innovation Challenge Fund is structured around key themes designed to address systemic barriers:
Engagement with Under-Represented Groups: Encouraging more people from diverse backgrounds to consider entrepreneurship.
Promoting Glasgow as a Start-Up Destination: Establishing the city as a welcoming hub for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Strengthening Networks: Supporting the development of community-led businesses and collaborations that champion diversity.
Collaborative Support: Enhancing the visibility and effectiveness of business support services provided by Glasgow City Council and its partners.
By tackling these themes, the fund aims to create a ripple effect of opportunity, confidence, and innovation across Glasgow’s business community.
Grants ranging from £30,000 to £100,000 will be awarded to successful applicants, with most awards expected to be around £50,000. All projects must be implemented during the 2025/26 financial year.
This flexible approach ensures organisations can propose initiatives tailored to the specific needs of their communities, whether it’s running workshops, creating mentorship programmes, or signposting existing resources.
While the fund is a welcome move, some may argue it’s only scratching the surface of the challenges faced by under-represented groups. Historically, access to entrepreneurial resources has been skewed towards those already within established networks, leaving many excluded.
However, by actively inviting organisations to tackle these issues head-on, Glasgow City Council is acknowledging the need for systemic change. The fund’s emphasis on collaboration, inclusion, and community engagement is a step toward levelling the playing field.
Councillor Aitken’s words encapsulate the fund’s ambitious goals:
“Whatever the background and wherever they are, we want to work with our aspiring entrepreneurs to start, scale, and grow their businesses.”
Promoting entrepreneurship among under-represented groups is more than just an economic initiative, it’s a social one. Diverse businesses bring fresh perspectives, drive innovation, and contribute to a more inclusive economy. Yet, without targeted support, many potential entrepreneurs face insurmountable barriers.
Programmes like the Social Innovation Challenge Fund aim to change this by:
Empowering Individuals: Providing tools and networks to help entrepreneurs succeed.
Strengthening Communities: Building businesses that reflect and serve diverse populations.
Boosting the Local Economy: Fostering growth through inclusive opportunities.
Applications for the Social Innovation Challenge Fund will remain open until 5 December 2024. Organisations looking to make a difference are encouraged to step forward with innovative proposals that align with the fund’s mission.
This initiative is more than just a funding opportunity, it’s a chance to shape Glasgow’s future as a hub of diverse and inclusive entrepreneurship.
For more details on the fund and how to apply, visit the Glasgow City Council website at The Social Innovation Challenge Fund.
By nurturing the talent that exists within every corner of the city, Glasgow is proving that entrepreneurship doesn’t belong to the few, it belongs to everyone.
