A fifth cohort has signed up to Ana Stewart’s Pathways Pledge initiative, with the University of Edinburgh, BGF, Connect Three, Geovation Scotland, Mint Ventures, and Firstport now taking part—totalling 32 Pledge partners to date.

Pledges in the fifth cohort include hosting events to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) understanding in entrepreneurship, and data collection to inform interventions and support for female entrepreneurs.

The pledges also involve getting more women to participate in panels, and the creation of a network of female investors in Scotland to encourage more female participation in investment.

Existing Pledge partners of the Pledge—including CodeBase, AccelerateHER, and Eos—have completed their first year of pledge involvement, and have also committed to second year pledges.

These include new partner leave policies, the creation of a growth lab for female entrepreneurs in Scotland, unconscious bias training, the formation of new partnerships, and the inclusion of secondary school pupils in entrepreneurship events.

The Pathways Pledge was launched via Pathways Forward in February 2024, and now has over 30 organisations signed up to a multitude of pledges which will be monitored and reported annually.

Pathways Forward itself was launched in September 2023, following the publication of the Scottish Government-commissioned Pathways: A New Approach For Women in Entrepreneurship report, highlighting and recommending solutions for the numerous obstacles that women in business face.

Stewart, who was recently appointed as Scotland’s chief entrepreneur, commented: “The Pledge initiative is a key pillar of Pathways Forward and we’re motivated to see its continued growth.

“Our focus is on consolidating efforts across the ecosystem to drive change through collaboration with each organisation contributing its share to achieve a greater collective impact.

“I’m encouraged to have such a diverse group of organisations from all sectors continuing to align with our objectives.”

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• International Women’s Day: Another Day to Do the Right Thing
• Pathways Forward Announces Third Cohort of Pledge Partners
• Ana Stewart Appointed as Chief Entrepreneur as Ecosystem Fund Reopens

Pathways Forward has announced that the 2025 Female Founders Growth Summit will take place at the RBS Gogarburn conference centre in Edinburgh on 16th September, with Pathways Forward partnering with Female Founders Rise, Buy Women Built, the ScaleUp Institute, and SuperScalers.

“This year’s Female Founders Growth Summit will deliver a unique combination of inspiring keynotes, dedicated workshops, impact networking with peers, and curated connections with investors,” Stewart added.

“By collaborating with organisations across the UK, we’re able to ensure attendees leave the summit feeling motivated and armed with practical, actionable takeaways to drive their own sustainable and accelerated business growth.”