Supporting Business Growth in Midlothian
Our Midlothian Science Zone Business Forum on Tuesday 6th May was led by led by Robbie Broomfield, Business Growth Advisor for Business Gateway Midlothian, who provided an overview of key business support mechanisms available in Scotland through Business Gateway and the broader enterprise agency landscape.
Midlothian Science Zone Business Forum guests gathered in the recently developed Agri-Tech Hub within Roslin Innovation Centre, on Easter Bush Campus, to hear about the range of support and advice available through the Business Gateway Midlothian team - an essential first point of call at every stage of the business journey.
Robbie has over 20 years business consulting and enterprise support experience and as Business Growth Advisor, his role is to support Midlothian-based business in all aspects of start-up, growth, funding and strategy as part of the national Business Gateway Service.
Business Gateway is a publicly funded service supporting start-ups and small businesses, tailored to regional needs through their local network including access to Economic Development Council Services.
Robbie explained how Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise work together supporting businesses to scale up and innovate, focussing on high growth sectors and those with international potential. Businesses have to be headquartered in Midlothian for local Midlothian Business Gateway support, whereas Scottish Enterprise can help businesses headquartered anywhere in Scotland.
Business Gateway can signpost businesses to grants, loans and tax relief depending on the businesses need, sector and size and Scottish Enterprise have the capacity for larger investment and funding opportunities.
Overall, Scotland has a well-connected support ecosystem for businesses through Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise and other business support agencies, and can help navigate the funding landscape in Scotland, offer support to help businesses find and access the right funding, and in some cases provide funding.
Business Gateway also offer range of free business webinars to learn new skills, develop your workforce and pave your way to business success.
Robbie welcomes any businesses to contact him direct if they would like advice and is a regular speaker and attendee at Midlothian Business gateway Coffee Mornings and networking events.
Midlothian Council, Scottish Enterprise and Roslin Innovation Centre are Midlothian Science Zone Partners and play an active part in our One Health community which encourages companies to collaborate with scientists, researchers and academia is a hub of knowledge exchange.
Our next Business Forum will take place in late June/July with details to be announced soon.
If you would like to be notified of future MSZ Business Forum Events or to present at one of our events, please contact Emma McCallum, Midlothian Science Zone Project Co-ordinator emma@midlothiansciencezone.com.