Business Gateway

02/09/2026

🚀Speed networking morning 🚀☕️

CONNECT WITH CONFIDENCE 🤝

Starting a business can feel daunting, especially when it comes to talking about what you do and putting your ideas out there.

This relaxed speed networking session is an opportunity for pre-start and early-stage businesses to meet other local business owners, have conversations, share ideas and build confidence.

There’s no formal pitching and no pressure to present to a room. Instead, you’ll have the chance

✨ practise talking about your business one-to-one
✨ask questions, get honest feedback and learn from the experiences of others
✨ make connections

Meet. Chat. Build confidence. Make connections 🤝

🗓️ Monday 28th September
📍 HAWICK
⏰ 10am - 12pm

Book your space link in the comments ⬇️ 🔗

01/09/2026

🚀 Scottish Start-Up Month is back!

For the second year, we’re celebrating Scotland’s entrepreneurial spirit and encouraging more people to explore what starting a business could mean for them.

Got a great idea? Thinking about a side hustle? Ready to be your own boss? Or already taking those first steps?

This September, we’ve got free tools, practical guides, expert-led webinars and one-to-one advice from local teams across Scotland to help you move forward with confidence.

Whether you’re figuring out where to begin or ready to take your next step, we’re here to help make your business idea happen.

And if you’re already part of Scotland’s start-up community, you can play your part too. We're inviting businesses and organisations of all stages to pledge their support and help inspire the next wave of Scottish business owners.

Find out more & get involved ➡️ www.bgateway.com/start-up-month

💙🩷

01/09/2026

Scottish Start-Up month is here 🚀 💡

And the team at Business Gateway are delighted to be supporting. ⭐️

Keep an eye 👁️ on what’s happening throughout this month.

01/09/2026

SEPTEMBER ✨⬇️
It’s Scottish Start-Up Month and we are starting off by sharing some fantastic news from a Business Gateway client ⭐️

Huge well done 👏 to you Cheryl at Fine Feathers and all the Borders Businesses who were nominated. Well deserved.

31/08/2026

A really lovely client meeting today 💫 Alba Leatherwork

When this client first came to me, her business was very much a hobby-style venture. Fast forward to today, and we’re looking at how to turn that passion into a business that truly reflects her values.

We worked through her website, socials and messaging, with a real focus on what matters most to her, particularly sustainability and doing things in a way that aligns with her values.

It’s amazing what can happen when you take a step back and reconnect with the why behind your business. 💚

Excited to see how it all develops. Check out Dawns Website - link in the comments ✨

27/08/2026

⭐️ Uncover The Secrets to Effective Product Design and Manufacture⭐️

Our colleagues South of Scotland Enterprise SOSE are hosting a Design-led innovation in Scotland:

Make it right, make it here, make it now.

🗓️ 2 September
📍 Deep Tech Hub in Hawick
🕥 1-4

The event is to raise awareness raising for Scottish manufacturing businesses and entrepreneurs who are exploring how strong design at the early stages of innovation can help turn ideas into scalable, manufacturable products and processes. The event will explore how good design, applied early in the innovation process, can help businesses reduce risk, avoid costly mistakes and move more effectively from idea to production.

Book your slot using the link in the comments 🔗 ⬇️

27/08/2026

Looking to take your first step into business?

We support business owners likeAndy at O’Neill Trees & Timber Ltd by connecting them with the resources they need to start strong and grow with confidence.

Learn more at bgateway.com

25/08/2026

Whether you're starting out or already up and running, the right support can make all the difference to your business.

Our Business Support Tool takes just 10 minutes to complete and gives you a personalised dashboard with resources tailored to your needs.

We'll also connect you with your local Business Gateway team, so you can access expert one-to-one advice.

Start now ➡ https://www.bgateway.com/personalised-support

25/08/2026

💡 Learn something new, grow your network, and take your business further. Explore the latest South of Scotland Enterprise events and training opportunities across the South of Scotland. 🌍

www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/events-training

📆 Events coming up!

From marketing to networking, we've got online and in-person sessions to help your business grow 🚀

Book your place now ⬇️
www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/events-training

24/08/2026

🚀Thinking about starting your own business?
🚀Recently started trading and ready to take the next step?

Come along to our drop-in at Cafe ReCharge CIC on Wednesday 9th September, 10am–2pm and meet the Business Gateway Borders team.

Whether you're just exploring an idea or ready to take the next step, we're here to answer your questions and help you begin your start-up journey.

📍 Café ReCharge, Galashiels
⏰ 10am–2pm

Book your space here: https://www.bgateway.com/events?page=1®ion=scottish-borders&type=in-person&pageSize=12

24/08/2026

Better Photos, Better Business 📸

Thank you to Katie McCraw Photography for delivering this fantastic workshop for South of Scotland Enterprise. ⭐️

✨ Some great advice and tips for our small businesses on how to make the most of their camera/phone and take great product shots. 🙌 look forward to seeing you all showcasing your products. ✨

21/08/2026

AI adoption is accelerating, and digital capabilities are reshaping businesses across every sector. So, what does this mean for Scottish businesses?

Our recent webinar brought together industry and policy experts to explore the opportunities, risks and competitive advantages emerging as AI continues to transform the business landscape.

Missed it live? Watch the recording to hear insights on the skills businesses will need, the opportunities ahead and practical steps you can take now to stay productive, resilient and future-ready ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Jt-n0fGvpU8U7V4R&v=Z1etWz-qHjs&feature=youtu.be

A big thank you to our panellists:

Danny Gallagher (Host), Business Gateway Manager, Highland

Jill McAlpine, Founder, Working With Me

Gary Ennis, Founder, NSDesign

Scott Henderson, Director, Crunchy Carrots

Colin Borland, Director of Devolved Nations, FSB Scotland

20/08/2026

SALES SALES SALES 🚀
Another great event being delivered by SSouth of Scotland Enterprise✨

Facts tell. Stories sell.

We’re delighted to be bringing Karis Gill to businesses across the South of Scotland for a brilliant FREE online session on Sales Through Storytelling funded by South of Scotland Enterprise as part of the sales and marketing series we are delivering for them.

Karis knows first hand what a difference the right story can make in business. She went from starting a business with £500 to building a multi six figure company, and along the way discovered just how powerful storytelling can be in sales.

On Tuesday 1 September, she’ll be showing us how to use that same thinking to:

• make your business more memorable
• build trust with potential customers
• bring your pitches and sales conversations to life
• use storytelling in your content
• communicate what makes your business different

This is not about becoming a polished storyteller.

It’s about learning how to talk about your business in a way that makes people actually want to listen.

📅 Tuesday 1 September
⏰ 10am to 12pm
💻 Online
🎟 FREE and fully funded by South of Scotland Enterprise

Booking link in the comments.

20/08/2026

🌟 Feedback Friday 🌟

From building confidence to navigating start-up requirements, our Business Advisor, Caja, is helping new businesses get off to the best possible start. 👏

Ready to turn your business idea into reality? We're here to help.

Get in touch with Business Gateway Scottish Borders today🚀

19/08/2026

🚀 Thinking about starting a business?

Scottish Start-Up Month is back this September, with plenty of inspiration, advice and support to help you take the first step.

If you've been waiting for the right moment to turn your idea into action, consider this your sign.

Sign up to our newsletter and be first to hear what's coming 👀 ➡ bgateway.com/our-newsletter

17/08/2026

Looking for advice for your business?

Every year, in every corner of Scotland, we help business owners like Mairi of Slàinte Sauces strengthen their business with access to our online resources and network of local advisers.

Contact your local team today ➡️ https://www.bgateway.com/local-offices

14/08/2026

Do you understand the tax rules for side hustles?

From online selling and tutoring, to delivery work and dog walking, there are lots of ways you might make money outside your main job. But did you realise there are tax rules for side hustles that everyone has to follow?

This guidance from HMRC outlines everything you need to know ⬇

Learn about the tax rules that apply when you earn money from a side hustle.

13/08/2026

Our year in numbers 2025/2026 📊

We support business all over Scotland to start up and grow, with our network of advisers, wide array of events, and online resources.

Some highlights from the past year:

🟢 52,000+ customers supported

🔵 25,550 customers at the pre-start stage

🟢 7,250 new businesses launched with our support

🔵 27,000+ event and webinar attendees

🟢 80% of customers would recommend Business Gateway

View our full Impact Report here ➡️ www.bgateway.com/media/sxnkqgj4/bg-impact-report-25-26.pdf

12/08/2026

Scottish EDGE has just launched with a record £200,000 prize for high-growth businesses! 🎉

💥 A £200k top award
💥 A £1.5m prize pot
💥 Multiple core category awards
💥 Special sector awards
💥 And up to 40 winners

Find out more & apply ➡

High-growth potential businesses will have the chance to compete for the largest single prize offered by a Scottish business pitching competition.

04/08/2026

Got a new business idea but unsure where to start?

Connect with your local Business Gateway team like Eshan and Suzy of OakHill Cafe & Deli and access expert one-to-one advice to help you take the first step.

Find your local team ➡️ bgateway.com/local-offices