Scotland’s national business support network reveals new creative campaign reminding SMEs it is “here to help” – Scottish Business News

BUSINESS Gateway has revealed a new creative campaign, in a bid to encourage more entrepreneurs, start-ups or scale-ups in Scotland to use its breadth of free services.   

Launching today across print, digital, social media, local radio, and OOH, the campaign reminds current and potential business owners that Business Gateway is ‘here to help’ and will run until the start of October.  

The campaign highlights that Business Gateway is there to support Scotland’s business community, helping with their everyday questions and challenges from business planning to bookkeeping, no matter which sector they operate in, and what stage they are at. 

The creative strategy is focused building a campaign which highlights how Business Gateway can address these challenges.  

From visual cues to tone of voice, the creative treatment highlights the multitude of free services Business Gateway offers whether in-person support and events or digital tools online.  

In 2023-24, Business Gateway helped more than 50,000 start-up and scale-up businesses in Scotland and responded to almost 30,000 enquiries from every part of the country. The service also helped over 7,000 businesses start-up, with 50% of those being female-led. 

Edinburgh-based LUX is behind the creative, while The Media Shop will manage the media planning and buying.  

Hugh Lightbody, Chief Officer at Business Gateway, said: “This campaign is looking at more direct and engaging ways to encourage those in the business community to take their first step or realise their potential with support from Business Gateway. If more businesses can realise their ambitions, the opportunity for Scotland is huge.  

“We know entrepreneurs exist across all communities of Scotland with interests in many different sectors, so it was important that this campaign made everyone feel they can thrive by connecting with us. The language used is important to note, speaking directly to entrepreneurs and recognising everyday conundrums, such as being stumped by bookkeeping.” 

Alice Will, Co-Founder at LUX, added: “When Mhairi Macleod-Dunford and I set up LUX, Business Gateway was an invaluable support for us as a start-up and we certainly made good use of their resources, events and networking opportunities.  

“Now, with twelve years under our belt, we’re proud to be working with Business Gateway on this exciting new campaign to showcase the invaluable support they can offer.  

“Whether for start-ups like we once were, or existing businesses, the extent of free, flexible resources and support available shows that Business Gateway really ‘gets it’, and that help really is just a click away.’’ 

To find out more about how Business Gateway can support your business, go to https://www.bgateway.com/