Business Gateway

29/10/2026

Leading a business? Lead on AI with confidence.

Wondering where AI could make a difference and how to bring your team with you? Our free webinars can help you identify opportunities, introduce AI effectively and use it responsibly.

Find out more & sign up: bgateway.com/ai-adoption-programme

26/10/2026

New to AI and unsure what it can do for your business?

Our free introductory webinar explores how AI can make your marketing more efficient and cost-effective.

Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/4zxpkd5t

23/10/2026

📈 Smarter with AI. Stronger in business.

From exploring the basics to driving AI adoption across your organisation, our free webinar series is designed to help Scottish businesses make the most of AI with confidence.

Find out more & sign up: bgateway.com/ai-adoption-programme

22/10/2026

❗️Following yesterday’s critical announcement by the National Cyber Security Centre we would encourage all businesses to contact their website hosting providers, or web developer as soon as possible, to ensure your website is updated and remains safe for your customers.

For further guidance visit https://www.ncsc.gov.uk

19/10/2026

AI is changing how customers find you.

Join our free webinar to find out how search is evolving beyond traditional SEO and what it means for your website and business.

➡ https://tinyurl.com/ycky28v7

15/10/2026

Know your market. Grow your business.

Our free sector research provides practical insights into industries across Scotland, helping businesses understand trends, opportunities and customer demand.

This week, we're spotlighting our Photography Market Report 📸

Whether you're planning to start, grow or refine your business, the report offers valuable insights into the sector to help inform your next steps.

📊 Get your free report: bgateway.com/resources/sector-research

14/10/2026

Everyone's talking about AI. But what does it actually mean for your business?

That's exactly what we'll be exploring in our new AI webinar series, led by Gary Ennis, Managing Director of Digital Skills training company NSDesign, as part of AI Scotland's AI Adoption Programme.

Across a series of free sessions, we'll look at practical ways businesses can use AI, share useful tools and techniques, and discuss how to adopt it responsibly, effectively and with confidence.

Whether you're exploring AI for the first time or looking to build on what you're already doing, these sessions will provide practical insights to help you make the most of the opportunities AI presents.

Find out more and sign up today ➡️ https://www.bgateway.com/about-us/ai-adoption-programme

08/10/2026

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 team, so you can access expert one-to-one advice.

Complete the tool ➡️ https://www.bgateway.com/personalised-support

01/10/2026

Want to reduce costs, improve efficiency and future-proof your business?

Small changes can make a big difference.

This , we're sharing practical support, events and resources to help businesses turn sustainability ambitions into action.

🟢 Building business resilience: How to better adapt for Scotland's changing climate with Adaptation Scotland: bgateway.com/events/building-business-resilience-how-to-better-adapt-for-scotland-s-changing-climate-32273

🟢 Become a CPD-certified Green Champion with Business Energy Scotland: bgateway.com/events/become-a-cpd-certified-green-champion-32319

🟢 Climate action support guide: bgateway.com/resources/already-running-a-business/climate-action-support

🟢 Local support: bgateway.com/local-offices

Whether you're just getting started or building on existing activity, we're here to support your next steps.

30/09/2026

As Scottish Start-Up Month 2026 comes to a close, we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who got involved.

Whether you've joined a webinar, attended an event, pledged your support, shared your experiences, or are simply thinking about taking the first steps towards starting a business, thank you for being part of it.

From hundreds of webinar attendees to 120 businesses and organisations pledging their support, Scottish Start-Up Month has shown just how strong, collaborative and encouraging Scotland's start-up community can be.

We received brilliant feedback on our events throughout the month, including this lovely comment from Deborah of Work Winning Studio:

"Absolutely brilliant session, I came away with some great tips and frameworks for challenging self-hindering thoughts. It was like having a friend, coach and mentor cheering us on while also providing a lot of substantial, practical advice. Thank you so much Coaching by Nic and the BG team. Definitely one of the best BG webinars I have been to."

It's also been inspiring to see businesses across Scotland come together to support people at the beginning of their business journey, sharing practical advice, honest lessons and words of encouragement.

One piece of advice that really resonated with us came from Steph of Steph Briggs Marketing Specialist:

"Start small, stay curious, ask for help when you need it, and keep going. You'll learn far more by doing than by waiting for the perfect moment."

If you're ready to take that next step, we're here to help. And while Scottish Start-Up Month may be coming to an end, our support is available all year round.

From free webinars and events to online resources, our Business Support Tool and one-to-one advice from your local Business Gateway team, we're here to support you every step of the way.

So if you've been waiting for a sign to start your business... this is it 🚀

Take the first step today ➡️ bgateway.com/start-up-month

And if you're already running a business, here's your final chance to pledge your support ➡️ bgateway.com/about-us/pledger-form

29/09/2026

28/08/2026

14/08/2026

📣 Small businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire may be eligible for financial support through the new Cairngorms Fire Recovery Fund.

🔹 Grants available for eligible businesses experiencing a loss of income of more than 20%
🔹 Check the eligibility criteria
🔹 Deadline: 25 September 2026

Apply via The Highland Council website (linked in the comments below).

Aviemore and Vicinity Community Council
Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce
Cairngorms National Park
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Business Gateway

24/02/2026

Ofcom is exploring how early‑stage businesses experience innovating in the sectors they regulate. This includes Online Safety Act, Telecommunications, Broadcasting & Spectrum Licensing. To support the activities there are a series of virtual focus groups to better understand the challenges when engaging with regulatory processes and how Ofcom can provide further support for innovators.
If you’re part of a small business, start‑up, or entrepreneurial venture and would like to participate, just click the link https://ofcom.eventogy.com/c/focusgroupexperiencesofinnovatinginsectorsregulatedbyofcom/registration-all-sectors
Sign‑up closes 27 February
For those in the online video games sector, please register via the sector‑specific link here https://ofcom.eventogy.com/c/focusgroupexperiencesofinnovatinginsectorsregulatedbyofcom/registration-gaming Sign‑up closes 13 March

16/12/2025

🚗🌍 NC500 Business Survey – Have Your Say

NC500 has commissioned a survey to help develop an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Framework. This will assess the route’s sustainability and ethical impact.

If you’re a business operating along the North Coast 500, they’d love to hear from you. Your response will help create a snapshot of how things currently stand for local businesses.

⏱️ The survey only takes a few minutes to complete.
🗓️ Responses are open until midnight on 23 December 2025.• Survey for NC500 Businesses – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BusinessesSurveyNC500

11/11/2025

🏡 Calling all Highland businesses!
Is a lack of housing making it harder to recruit or keep staff? We want to hear from you!
The Highland Council has launched a short Workforce Housing Survey to understand the challenges businesses face and help shape future housing plans. Your feedback will guide action to support economic growth and ensure enough homes for our workforce.

✅ It only takes 10 minutes
📅 Survey closes 8th December
👉 Take part now: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/HighlandWorkforceHousing

Your voice matters - help us build a stronger Highland economy.

14/10/2025

By joining the Highland Trusted Trader scheme now, means you'll save 50% on your first 12 months membership. This is a limited offer for new members. If you want more info on the benefits to your business go to www.trustedtrader.scot/Highland

08/10/2025

VOTING NOW OPEN - Inverness City Centre BID Business Awards 2025 🏆👏🌟

Show your support for the shops, cafés, bars, restaurants, salons, charities and services that make Inverness city centre such a wonderful community.

There’s just one round of voting this year, so your vote makes all the difference! ❤️

How to Vote:
🌟 Open the Love Inverness App (download it free from your app store).
🌟 Tap on More in the bottom right.
🌟 Select Surveys.
🌟 Tap on Inverness City Centre Business Awards and cast your votes.
🌟 If you aren't able to vote digitally, then phone the BID office or email [email protected] for an alternative option.

👉 Everyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win two tickets to the Awards Ceremony at the Drumossie Hotel and a £100 Inverness City Centre Gift Card. 🤩

Voting runs from Wednesday 1st October until Sunday 19th October 2025. 🗳️

Make your voice count and help celebrate the very best of Inverness city centre!

18/03/2025

🚨 Highland Businesses and Employers 🚨

⭐️ Highland Council on behalf of Work Life Highland and Business Gateway are delighted to welcome Nikki Slowey from Flexibility Works to deliver a FREE interactive workshop to Highland Employers to promote the Benefits of Flexible Working in your Business! ⭐️

🗓 Date : 30th April 2025
🕑 Time: 12.30pm - 14:00

Benefits of attending

✅️ Discuss how to attract and retain a diverse talent pool, boost work force participation and drive regional economic growth.
✅️ Gain up-to-date knowledge of flexible working legislation, ensuring you remain compliant and competitive in a changing market.
✅️ Promote flexible working in your business and enhance employee work-life balance, leading to a healthier, more productive workforce.

👉Find out more contact [email protected]

👉Secure your free ticket here

https://lnkd.in/gfSSwTRj

29/11/2024

The Highland Council is proposing to introduce a visitor levy, with a rate of 5% applied to the cost of overnight accommodation. For a two-night stay in accommodation which costs £110 per night, a 5% levy would be £11.

Have your say by completing our Visitor Levy consultation at www.highland.gov.uk/vlconsultation