Dedicated support for women-owned businesses

Women-led businesses are a vital part of society and the economy. Being a founding signatory of the Investing in Women Code, and part of the Invest in Women Taskforce, we want to better understand your challenges and the support you need to succeed.

Access to finance

Secure the funding you need with solutions tailored to your business goals.

Jump to access finance

Manage and grow

Ready to expand? Get practical guidance to plan for growth and manage it.

Jump to manage and grow

Women in manufacturing

Changing perceptions through insightful sector expertise.

Jump to manufacturing

Invest. Inspire. Impact

Research and findings to support women in business.

Jump to findings

Access finance your way

Business owner standing outside a shop, representing support for business borrowing and finance options.

Unsure where to start?

This guide explores the borrowing choices available and how they can support your business ambitions.

Your choices explained
Business owner planning future growth and investment opportunities.

Alternative funding for growth

There are more options than ever for getting business funding. In this guide, we look at: business angels, venture capitalists and crowdfunding.

Guide to alternative funding

Products to support your funding options

Business loans

Flexible business lending to expand, invest and flourish.

Business loans

Invoice Finance

Boost your cash flow with Invoice Finance and get early access to money owed to you.

Invoice Finance

Asset Finance

Spread the cost of equipment, machinery or vehicles. Or unlock cash from your assets.

Asset Finance

Increase your access to capital

 

As the founding sponsor of The Whole Point since 2024, we have driven the creation of regional growth boards in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham. The Whole Point takes a data-driven, ecosystem approach to boost the flow of capital to high-growth women-led businesses across the regions.

The Whole Point

Helping you manage and grow your business

Whether you’re just starting out or have been running for some time, you’ll find valuable information here on planning for and managing growth.

Two people working together on a laptop outside a small business.

Managing your business

Guides and products to help with the day-to-day running of your operation.

Business owner creating online content to develop skills and grow a business.

Boost business skills

Our free online learning platform offers a host of resources dedicated to helping you and your business thrive in the digital world.

Business owner serving customers from a mobile food business.

Growing your business

A selection of products and guides to help you look to the future and expand your operations in the UK and abroad.

Illustration of a globe

International Trade Portal

A powerful insight platform, with practical support that helps you trade internationally within your chosen market.

 

Women in manufacturing

Efforts to bring more women into manufacturing are accelerating. Discover how changing perceptions and targeted support are driving the shift.

 

Warings Furniture

Read how our funding helped a manufacturer and supplier of furniture generate up to 90% of its energy from renewable sources.

Warings Furniture

Women in manufacturing report

A fresh look at an enduring issue.

Read the report (PDF, 3.9MB)

Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC)

 
Two people in protective clothing and face masks operating equipment in a manufacturing facility.

Transforming British manufacturing

Backing British manufacturers with expert guidance and support. Plus our partner, MTC, could also help you plug your skills gap.

Manufacturing Technology Centre

Invest. Inspire. Impact

Self-employed business owner working outdoors, illustrating planning for long-term financial security.

Self-employed pensions

When building your business is all down to you, so is saving for your retirement. Discover what type of pension is right for you.

Bridge the pension gender gap

Commitment to support female entrepreneurship

Improving access to tools, resources and finance from the financial services sector.

Investing in women code

"When women entrepreneurs succeed, communities across the UK thrive. Supporting women in business goes beyond equity - it helps unlock innovation, drive growth, and build a stronger, more resilient economy for the future."

Eleanor Moorhouse, Women Entrepreneur Lead

Follow Eleanor on LinkedIn

Eleanor Moorhouse, Women Entrepreneur Lead.

Supporting businesses across the UK

Discover how we’re supporting business with expert analysis and tailored resources.

How we’re supporting black entrepreneurs

Tailored opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to help start, manage and grow your business.

Black-owned businesses

Be confident in your business decisions

Expert sector support and financial expertise.

Find your sector

While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information provided is correct, no liability is accepted by Bank of Scotland for any loss or damage caused to any person relying on any statement or omission. This is for information only and should not be relied upon as offering advice for any set of circumstances. Specific advice should always be sought in each instance.