Invest in West Lothian - July Newsletter
Hello and welcome to the July edition of the Invest in West Lothian newsletter! In our newsletter, we will be sharing the latest news stories, funding opportunities, and events for businesses in West Lothian.
Here at Invest in West Lothian, we are committed to helping businesses in West Lothian grow by providing confidential and impartial advice, highlighting funding opportunities, and sharing helpful resources. We can help new and established businesses that are currently based in West Lothian, or are looking to relocate to the area. You can learn more about the support we offer by visiting www.investinwestlothian.com .
Celebrating Good News Stories in West Lothian
Local Business Edinburgh Documentary Films Successfully Launches with Funding Support
Established in 2023, the business was founded when two local filmmakers decided to combine their talents and create documentaries that they are passionate about. For help navigating the business start up process, they reached out to our team.
With the support of their dedicated adviser, they were able to build an effective business plan that gave them a clear path to follow. They also successfully applied for our High Growth Start Up Grant, which allowed them to invest in a full editing suite which enabled them to bring post production in house, increasing productivity and efficiency.
You can read the full story here.
Funding for Businesses in West Lothian
The Invest in West Lothian team have extensive experience of preparing funding packages for local businesses of all sizes. Each month, we will highlight a new funding opportunity that is currently available to eligible businesses in the area.
High Growth Start Up Grant
This exciting grant is exclusive to businesses within the first 18 months of trading. Eligible West Lothian businesses can receive funding of up to £4,000, which can be used to bring new products to market, attend trade events, and build capacity with the business.
The following eligibility criteria applies:
- The business must be VAT registered or have a turnover of £60,000+
- The business must be in commercial premises
- The business must employ a minimum of 1 member of staff, or have the potential to create an employment opportunity within 6 months.
To learn more about the High Growth Start Up Grant or register your interest, please email invest@westlothian.gov.uk
Upcoming Events
We are delighted to be hosting the following free events:
1:1 Marketing & Branding Surgery Sessions
Book a free 1:1 virtual session with Michelle Brown, Director of Michelle Brown PR, to learn how to create an effective marketing strategy and build a strong brand for your business. 1-hour long appointments are available on Thursday, the 8th of August, and Tuesday, the 27th of August. This is a fantastic opportunity to have your questions answered by an expert!
1:1 Procurement Surgery Sessions
There is availability on Tuesday, the 20th of August for a free, 1:1 virtual surgery session with procurement expert Mandy Millar from Intend Business Development Ltd. These sessions have been created to help West Lothian business owners improve their understanding of the procurement process and improve their success rate with tender bids. Sessions last 1-hour and take place virtually.
To learn more and book your free space at any of our events, please click here.