Scottish Enterprise

About Scottish Enterprise

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland’s national economic development agency and a non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government. Its role is to help businesses innovate, scale, invest, and compete internationally so they can contribute to a more productive, resilient, and competitive Scottish economy.

The organisation works with companies at different stages of growth, from entrepreneurs and early-stage firms to established businesses and global enterprises. It supports business development, innovation, exporting, investment attraction, and workforce development, with a strong emphasis on sectors and opportunities linked to Scotland’s economic transformation and net zero transition.

Core Values

• Economic impact: Scottish Enterprise focuses on activity that adds value and delivers good returns for Scotland’s economy, rather than support for its own sake.
• Innovation-led growth: The organisation consistently frames innovation as a route to productivity, competitiveness, and long-term business resilience.
• International ambition: It encourages companies to think beyond domestic markets and build export capability and global competitiveness.
• Net zero transition: Sustainability and low-carbon opportunity are treated as central to future business growth, not as side issues.
• Collaboration: Scottish Enterprise emphasises working with partners, entrepreneurs, investors, and public and private sector networks to unlock opportunities.

Unique Aspects

• National economic development role: Scottish Enterprise is Scotland’s main economic development agency, giving it a broad remit across innovation, investment, exports, and sector development.
• Public-sector backing: It operates as a Scottish Government non-departmental public body, which underpins its ability to support strategic economic priorities.
• Co-investment capability: It runs co-investment funds, including the Scottish Co-investment Fund and Scottish Venture Fund, to invest alongside experienced private investors in ambitious Scottish businesses.
• Sector mission focus: Its current strategic priorities centre on renewable energy, high-growth innovation sectors, and capital investment to improve productivity.
• Partner network: It works with a wide range of local, national, and international partners, including accredited investment groups and syndicates, to extend its reach and impact.