Scottish Enterprise is the main economic development agency for Scotland, covering 93 per cent of the population from Grampian to the Border. .

Scottish Enterprise is the main economic development agency for Scotland, covering 93 per cent of the population from Grampian to the Border.

Scottish Enterprise consists of Scottish Enterprise and 12 Local Enterprise Companies. Working in partnership with the private and public sectors, we aim to secure the long-term future of the Scottish economy by making our industries more competitive. We: 

 • help business start-ups and existing companies to grow;
 • promote and encourage exporting;
 • attract inward investment ; and
 • develop skills.

Our priorities include commercialisation of academic ideas into good business opportunities, e-business, globalisation and economic inclusion.

The HIE network consists of the main body, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, based in Inverness, and nine Local Enterprise Companies (LECs).

The HIE network consists of the main body, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, based in Inverness, and nine Local Enterprise Companies (LECs).

HIE's activities include: provision of business support services, delivery of training and learning programmes, assistance for community and cultural projects and measures for environmental renewal. These activities are primarily delivered by nine Local Enterprise Companies (LECs)

Business Gateway is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Executive and Local Authorities. The mission of Business Gateway is to support economic development in Scotland. By bringing together a range of key services ...

Business Gateway is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Executive and Local Authorities. The mission of Business Gateway is to support economic development in Scotland. By bringing together a range of key services Business Gateway delivers an effective one stop shop to help you grow or start your business.

Business Gateway aims to provide you with the right mix of: Information Advice Learning opportunities Support, and where appropriate, funding.

Scottish Development International profiles Scottish investment opportunities to international firms. SDI's aim is to broaden Scotland's international appeal as a first choice source of knowledge and to assist the growth ...

Scottish Development International profiles Scottish investment opportunities to international firms. 
SDI's aim is to broaden Scotland's international appeal as a first choice source of knowledge and to assist the growth of the Scottish economy, by encouraging inward investment and helping Scottish-based companies develop international trade.

Learndirect scotland for business aims to enhance the competitiveness of Scotland's small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Learndirect scotland for business aims to enhance the competitiveness of Scotland's small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

We can guide employers through the maze of training opportunities, helping them to get the best from their people, and allow businesses to respond quickly to the modern economy’s ever-changing skill needs.  

We do this by:

• providing access to expert advisers who will help assess skills needs and identify training solutions
• sourcing training to meet business goals and pressures, with an emphasis on short, “bite-size” chunks
• offering online training that can be done in the workplace, reducing time staff away from the job

The Scottish Executive aims to ensure long-term sustainable economic growth. There are a range of policies in place aimed at helping to increase productivity levels.

The Scottish Executive aims to ensure long-term sustainable economic growth.

There are a range of policies in place aimed at helping to increase productivity levels.

As part of its aim to foster long term sustainable economic growth in Scotland the Executive has a range of initiatives to encourage business start-ups and grow existing businesses.

These include financial support (grants and awards) and advice, both directly, and via other delivery agents.