Islands Entrepreneurial Network RGU

27/08/2026

Shetland - this may be of interest! See below 👇

Essential information Wednesday 9 September 2026 09:30 - 16:00 Solarhus 3 North NessShetland ZE1 0LZ Breathe, Speak, Repeat Would you rather do almost anything than speak up in a room? If so, join us for a supportive, practical workshop to help you find your voice, tell your story and pitch your bus...

26/08/2026

Shetland members - fancy lunch and a chance to connect with other local entrepreneurs?

Join us on 2 October, 12:00–14:00, for an informal networking lunch with the Islands Entrepreneurial Network and Business Gateway Shetland!

This session is ideal if you’re:

👋 Curious about IEN or Business Gateway and want to learn more
💡 Considering signing up for one of our courses and learning more about Business Gateways offerings
💻 Currently taking part in an IEN programme
🎓 An IEN course graduate looking to reconnect and grow your network

It’s a chance to meet other local entrepreneurs, make new connections and find out more about what’s happening across Shetlands entrepreneurial community.

Sign up below to join us!

👋 Connect, chat and share at our Business Networking!

Business Gateway Shetland and the Islands Entrepreneurial Network RGU are bringing local businesspeople together for an informal networking lunch.

Come along to:
🔵 Meet new contacts and expand your network
🔵 Explore potential collaborations
🔵 Share ideas and experiences with other business owners
🔵 Find out more about the support and opportunities available through Business Gateway and the Islands Entrepreneurial Network (RGU)

There’ll be a short introduction from both organisations, but the focus is on relaxed networking and making connections.

Stay for the full session or simply drop in for half an hour – whatever works for you. Enjoy a free light lunch and refreshments while having a chat with other businesses.

➡️ Book your place now - https://bit.ly/4gwgHzf

Whether you're looking to make new connections, catch up with familiar faces or just enjoy a free lunch and a chat, we'd love to see you there!

The IEN is part of the pan-island TalEntEd Programme, which is receiving £5.9 million in funding from the UK and Scottish Governments through the Islands Growth Deal. For more information, visit: www.islandsdeal.co.uk

25/08/2026

Got a creative idea but no idea what to do with it?

You’re not alone.

Starting to think about customers, pricing, marketing, business models and actually making an income from your creativity can quickly turn one exciting idea into a very long list of questions.

Where do I even start?

That’s exactly what our Creative Entrepreneurship programme is designed to help with.

You don’t need to arrive with a business plan or have everything figured out. Over seven weeks, we’ll help you work through your idea, understand who your customers could be and start building the foundations to take it forward.

💻 Fully online
📅 Seven weeks
💷 Fully funded

You don’t need to know where to start. You just need to know you're ready to begin

👉 Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/y4erabvm

22/08/2026

When you hear “creative entrepreneur”, what do you picture?

An artist selling paintings? A photographer? A jewellery maker?

Absolutely, and yet...

It could also be someone who sews, knits, works with wood, makes music, creates digital work, designs products - or has a creative skill they haven't quite figured out what to do with yet.

Creative entrepreneurship is simply about exploring how the things you create could generate an income.

And you don't need to already think of yourself as an entrepreneur to get started.

Our fully funded programme gives you seven weeks to explore your idea, understand its potential and learn the business skills that can help you take it forward.

💻 Fully online
📅 Seven weeks
💷 Fully funded

You bring the creativity. We'll help you explore the business model

👉 Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/y4erabvm

20/08/2026

Have you ever looked at something you’ve made and thought…

“I’d love to make some money from this.”

Maybe you’ve sold a few pieces already. Maybe friends and family keep telling you that you should. Or maybe it’s just been a thought quietly sitting in the back of your mind.

You don’t need to know whether it could become a full-time business.

You don’t even need to know exactly what the business would look like.

You can start by finding out whether the idea has potential.

Our fully funded Creative Entrepreneurship programme gives you seven weeks to explore your idea, think about who might buy what you create, develop your business model and start building the skills to take it forward.

💻 Fully online
📅 Seven weeks
💷 Fully funded

Your creativity is already there. Give yourself the opportunity to discover where it could take you.

👉 Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/y4erabvm

18/08/2026

We are now accepting applications for our next course - creative entrepreneurship !!

Have you ever made something for a friend or family member and heard…

💬 “You should sell these!”

Maybe you laughed it off. Maybe you thought “who would actually buy them?” Or maybe a little part of you wondered whether they might be right. 👀

Our Creative Entrepreneurship programme gives you seven weeks to explore exactly that.

You don't need to have a business already. You don't need a polished business plan. You just need a creative skill or idea that you'd like to explore.

💡 Develop your idea
🎯 Understand who your customers could be
📣 Learn the basics of marketing
💪 Build your confidence
🤝 Meet other creative people exploring their ideas

💻 Fully online
📅 Seven weeks
💷 Fully funded

Maybe it's time to find out if they were right.

👉 Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/y4erabvm

06/08/2026

Thought you'd missed your chance? We've got good news! 💜

Applications for our Mums in Business programme have been extended until 10 August, with a small number of places still available.

If you've been wondering whether that idea in the back of your mind could become something more, there's still time to explore it.

Over six weeks, you'll build confidence, learn practical skills and connect with a supportive community - all while discovering whether your idea could become a business that works for you.

💜 Fully funded
💻 Delivered online
📅 Six weeks
🤝 Designed with childcare responsibilities in mind

Applications now close 10 August.

Apply today and give your idea the space to grow.

https://online.ien.scot/public/opportunity/994b9323-7ad8-11f1-bc44-0675cf5bbbb5

30/07/2026

Are you a mum who's ever caught yourself thinking the following?

🤔"I wish my job fitted around my family"
🤔"I wonder if I could make a living doing what I love"
🤔"People keep telling me I should sell these"
🤔"I'd love to work for myself one day"

Then this course is for you!

If you've got an idea you've always wanted to explore, our award-winning Mums in Business programme could be the perfect place to start.

Designed for women with childcare responsibilities, you'll spend six weeks building confidence, learning practical skills and discovering whether your idea could become something more.

💜 Fully funded
💻 Online
🤝 Supportive community

Applications close on 5th August - sign up here:
https://online.ien.scot/public/opportunity/994b9323-7ad8-11f1-bc44-0675cf5bbbb5

27/07/2026

Have a business idea but aren't sure where to start?

Our award-winning Mums in Business programme is designed around the realities of family life, giving women with childcare responsibilities the opportunity to explore and develop a business idea in a supportive environment.

Join us for six weeks and take the first step towards building a business that works for you.

Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/3jzzabue

✨ Fully funded
💻 Online
💜 Supportive community

24/07/2026

During our online six week course, you will:

🌟Build you confidence to take your ideas forward
🌟Really dig down into what your business idea is all about
🌟Get to grips with marketing
🌟Meet other mums who are on the same journey as you

Learn more and sign up today: https://tinyurl.com/3jzzabue