Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire

Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire is a Council service which supports start-ups and existing firms in the area. Fully-subsidised, free assistance is available – whether you’re based in commercial premises or at home:

• Practical one-to-one advice from experienced advisers
• Direct links to the Council’s discretionary support and funding initiatives
• A comprehensive range of training webinars
• Regular networking events
• Referrals to public sector partner organisations providing support
• Access to market intelligence.

Advisers can help with business planning, marketing and business finance – guiding you through the process of starting and growing your business. 

New-start businesses are also able to access other forms of financial support:

• Start-up Loans can provide personal loans of between £1,000 and £25,000 to individuals that have recently started a new business. In addition to the loan, you will also be able to access support for up to 12 months from a skilled business advisor. Apply for a Start-up Loan.
• There is also support for businesses that employ a young East Dunbartonshire resident in the form of a wage subsidy.
  Get in touch/find out more about support:
• E-mail business.support@eastdunbarton.gov.uk 
• Call 0141 578 8530 
• Visit the Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire webpage.

* Green Business Support Grant – for projects that reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency and contribute towards net-zero goals.

* Cyber Security Grant – for projects that strengthen digital security, protect business data, and safeguard against online threats, helping businesses to operate safely and with confidence.

To apply for either of these schemes, you must attend a briefing session, which will provide more details and information: 

• Tuesday 16 September 2025 – noon-1pm in Kirkintilloch Town Hall
• Thursday 18 September 2025 – 5.30pm-6.30pm in Ellangowan Social Club, Milngavie.

Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire regularly organises events to help support local entrepreneurs and enterprises.
Coming up:

• 'Women Can' Roadshow - Wednesday 17 September (10am-3.30pm), in Kirkintilloch Town Hall – aimed at supporting women to start their own enterprises. Explore challenges, skills, strengths and practical strategies to overcome potential barriers. Book your fully-funded place via the Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire website.
• The networking group ED-Net has relaunched! All welcome. It's a great way to share ideas, opportunities and inspiration, as well as discussing issues of concern, learning and networking. Group meetings are free and open to all businesses within East Dunbartonshire – regardless of size or sector. Book your fully-funded place via the Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire website.

ED-Net dates for 2025:

• Tuesday 9 September – 9am-11am in The Broadcroft Hotel, Kirkintilloch
• Tuesday 21 October – 9am -11am in The Broadcroft Hotel, Kirkintilloch
• Friday 21 November – 9am -11am in The Burnbrae, Bearsden.

• How to start a business
• How to generate and increase sales
• Bookkeeping
• Briefings on new discretionary grants
• Marketing and building your brand
• Social media
• How to create engaging online content
• Google analytics
• How to write funding applications
• An introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for small businesses
• Delivering profit to drive growth.

For more information on dates and how to book a place, visit the Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire webpage.

The Find Business Support Scotland website is also a valuable resource – giving businesses an overview of all funding and services offered by public sector organisations across Scotland. It makes it quicker and easier for businesses to find the information, advice and support they need, when they need it.