Aberdeenshire female founders get help to test ideas

Business & Money Desk 2026-10-06 13:35 2 min read

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By UW99 Editorial Team, based on information supplied by Aberdeenshire Council News.

Women-led businesses in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire can apply for £500 grants to test ideas, develop products or explore new markets. The funding is aimed at female founders within their first two years of trading, with applications closing on 30 November 2026.

To request the full grant guidance and application form, email startup@aberdeenshire.gov.uk. Any funded activity must be completed and evidenced by the end of February 2027.

Female founders within their first two years of trading

Business Gateway Aberdeen City & Shire has opened the funding through its Building Female Founders programme, part of the Pathways Ecosystem Fund project.

The stated audience is female founders whose businesses are within their first two years of trading across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The council notice outlines this eligibility but does not provide the complete grant conditions; applicants should use the full guidance to establish whether their business and proposed activity qualify.

Aberdeenshire female founders get help to test ideas

The programme responds to barriers identified in the source, including access to finance and professional networks, travel constraints and caring responsibilities.

£500 for testing ideas and reaching new customers

The grants are described as small-scale “test and learn” funding. Their purpose is to help founders validate business ideas, develop new products and services, and move towards commercialisation—bringing those ideas to market.

Potential projects include attending trade shows or exhibitions, developing marketing campaigns and creating e-commerce platforms. Specialist accreditation and professional photography or video content supporting a new product or service launch are also listed.

These examples give applicants a practical starting point for checking their proposals against the guidance. They should not be treated as confirmation that every expense in those categories will qualify.

Apply by 30 November and complete activity by February

Business Gateway expects strong demand and encourages eligible founders to submit applications early. The application deadline and delivery deadline serve different purposes: applications close on 30 November 2026, while the proposed activity must be finished and evidenced by the end of February 2027.

The wider programme also offers personalised coaching through Female Founders Business Adviser Kirstene Hair, alongside specialist expertise, practical learning and peer networks.

For programme enquiries, call Business Gateway Aberdeen City & Shire on 01467 535353 or email aberdeenshire@bgateway.com. For grant guidance and the application form, contact startup@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

Source: Aberdeenshire Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source and application details

This article draws eligibility, funding examples, deadlines and contact details from the supplied Aberdeenshire Council notice.

Checks

The supplied notice states a £500 grant for female founders within their first two years o...
The stated geographic coverage is Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The November 30 application deadline is distinguished from the end-of-February 2027 activi...
The grant guidance email is distinguished from the wider programme enquiry contacts.

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