We're celebrating success in 2024 with our Women's Enterprise Scotland Awards
Entries are now open for this year's awards. Join us as we showcase the achievements of Scotland’s women-led businesses.
Our awards celebrate Scotland’s women-led businesses with categories such as Family Business Champion of the Year, Inspiring Leader of the Year, Sustainable Business of the Year and Outstanding Business of the Year.
See full details of the categories, dates and T&Cs for this year's awards here.
You can see details of the 2023 finalists and winners here
2023 Award Winners
Celebrate your Business Success
and Apply Now
Why you should enter these awards
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These awards are a great way to have your hard work recognised and to raise awareness of your business.
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Be a part of creating inspiring role models for the next generation of women starting businesses.
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Join the celebration of the fantastic work done by women across Scotland to launch and grow businesses and contribute to the economy.
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Help to demonstrate the range of types of business run by women in all areas of Scotland.
See full details of the categories and apply.
All applications are free.
These awards are part of the work we do to close the gender gap in enterprise participation. We also operate the Women's Business Centre website which is designed to help women start-up and thrive in business. Visit the site and sign up as a member to access all the content including articles like - Awards: because you are worth it
Full details of all the 2023 winners can be seen in this article and in pictures below
Video and Photos from 2023 event
2023 Category Award Winners
Celebrating Women's Enterprise
The award winners will be announced at a spectacular dinner event at voco Grand Central, Glasgow on 03 October 2024.
The evening will begin with a drinks reception, followed by a three course dinner and awards ceremony.
Tickets
Individual tickets £99 (+VAT) per person.
Registration for tickets will open soon
Table of 10 for £970 (+VAT).
Please contact us to book a table by emailing info@wescotland.co.uk using subject line Awards 2024.
Award Categories
You will find information about each category below.
Please select and apply for your chosen category. You may select two categories, but each one must be a separate application. Here is a copy of the questions so you can prepare your responses in advance of completing the form. Once you have started the form it must be completed without leaving the site.
There is no cost for submitting an application. All applications will go through first round judging and finalists will be assessed by the judging panel to decide the winner of each category.
The closing date for all entries is Friday 07 June 2024.
Winners will be announced at our awards event on 03 October 2024 at voco Grand Central, Glasgow.
See full Terms and Conditions
START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Business Gateway
This award celebrates the entrepreneurial aptitude, vision, ambition, drive and commercial acumen to build a woman-led successful enterprise in Scotland from start-up.
GROWTH BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award celebrates Scotland’s growing women-led businesses and recognises those that have achieved growth and financial performance. This may not necessarily be the largest turnover and may be the percentage of turnover and profit growth achieved. It recognises the businesses who have demonstrated a solid understanding of their competitors, customers, and markets they operate in; and have the foundations in place for continued commercial success.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by HFL Holistic Financial Leadership
(Over 3 years, up to 250 employees, up to £12 million turnover)
This award recognises the development and growing success of an established woman led business in Scotland, looking at clear values and purpose, business growth, strong financial performance, profitability, and brand awareness achieved in relation to the number of employees and budget.
INSPIRING LEADER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises a female business leader in Scotland who has contributed to enhancing the landscape for women led businesses. Entrants should demonstrate support and involvement with the women led business community and play an instrumental role in enabling women to start up in business and thrive.
BUSINESS INVESTMENT OF THE YEAR sponsored by N4 Partners
This award recognises the women-led businesses in Scotland astutely applying funding to support business development and growth. Entrants may have secured funding from sources, including banks, commercial finance, venture capital investment, business angel investment and/or grants.
RESILIENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is for a woman-led business which has survived in the face of significant challenges, and can demonstrate resilience and business continuity against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-business crisis.
FAMILY BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
This award marks the achievements of a woman family member playing a key role in the senior leadership team of a family business in Scotland. The award recognises strategic direction, leadership and the application of sustainable business practices. (see T&Cs for details of this category)
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award celebrates the women-led businesses that have made progress in sustainability by transitioning to net-zero, adopting renewable energy, demonstrating efficiency and innovation, and minimising environmental impact by reducing waste and reusing or recycling.
BUSINESS TO WATCH OF THE YEAR sponsored by HFL Holistic Financial Leadership
This award celebrates a woman-led business progressing an exciting vision, for example applying novel, step-change innovation, utilising disruptive technology, driving societal change or evidencing all-round entrepreneurial flair.
PURPOSE-LED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Muckle Media
This award is for a women-led business which can demonstrate that it stands for something it believes in, going beyond profit and positively impacting society. The winner will be able to demonstrate that the business model has real purpose, by standing for and taking action on something bigger than its products and services.
Award Sponsors
Sponsorship and Press Enquiries
There are various sponsorship opportunities available. To find out more, please contact Gaynor Simpson on 07790 104073 or email gaynor@wescotland.co.uk
Press Enquiries
Please contact our PR Manager, Gaynor Simpson
Tel: 07790 104 073
Email: gaynor@wescotland.co.uk
