The WES Awards 2026 - Inspiring Together

Entries are now open for the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2026, providing a platform for celebrating Scotland’s women-led businesses.

Carolyn Currie, Chief Executive at Women’s Enterprise Scotland, said;

“Our Awards recognise the considerable contribution women-led businesses continue to make to Scotland’s economy. Despite the challenges they face, our women business leaders continue to inspire with their resilience and determination. Our Awards provide the perfect opportunity to come together, celebrate their achievements and demonstrate what a valuable resource women-led businesses are to the Scottish economy.”

The Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2026 will celebrate Scotland’s women-led businesses with categories such as Strategic Growth Business of the Year, Innovation Business of the Year and Start-Up Business of the Year.

More information and applications here

Notable highlights from last year’s Awards include Fort William based The Highland Soap Company, which was named Outstanding Business of the Year, whilst Nami Surgical, a spin-out from the University of Glasgow developing miniaturised ultrasonic surgical scalpels, was named Business to Watch of the Year. Kintyre Veterinary Services, based in Campbeltown, was named Rural Business of the Year.

The recently published Women’s Enterprise Scotland’s Scottish Election Manifesto calls for the Scottish Government to act on its previous £50m commitment to a Women’s Business Centre model. Despite women leading 54% of business start-ups, the post-start-up attrition rate in Scotland has escalated to 70%, meaning seven in ten women who successfully launch businesses are closing within the critical establishment phase.

WES has pointed to successful international models in the US and Canada that have delivered sustained economic growth, with dedicated business support delivered through their networks of women’s business centres.

The recently published The Gender Index Report 2026 has revealed that Scotland lies at the bottom of the home nations for high-growth female-led companies, 11.6%. compared to Wales at 16.3%, Northern Ireland at 14.2% and England at 13.2%.

The deadline for entries for the Women’s Enterprise Scotland Awards 2026 is Monday 15 June, with the glittering awards ceremony taking place at the voco Grand Central Hotel Glasgow on Thursday 29 October.

Find Out More and Apply