International Pathways to Scale (IPTS) is a Scottish Enterprise programme that helps women led businesses to grow.

The programme is open to female founders and co-founders of established start-up businesses that have been operating for approximately 1 to 5 years and have a turnover of £250,000 or more.

The programme will run from November 2026 to March 2027 and has space for 8-10 women who lead businesses in Scotland.

The programme is open to businesses from all sectors, although applications are preferred from businesses operating in:

• life sciences
• industrial biotechnology
• space
• proprietary technology and AI
• energy and renewables
• photonics
• chemical sciences
• advanced manufacturing 

The deadline to apply is 5:00 pm on Sunday 19 October 2026.

The programme 

IPTS focuses on the unique challenges women may face in growing their business internationally.  The programme offers: 

• tailored international market research
• market entry specialist support
• global connections/introductions to markets
• fully funded 1-1 international development strategy development sessions
• in market learning journey to explore international exporting opportunities in Europe

The programme will enhance your financial management skills to help support your company, boost your confidence, and improve your networking. 

The programme is made up of:

• a 3-day residential scale up sprint immersive leadership retreat, with overnight accommodation and networking dinners
• dedicated scale-up advisory support
• a 360 degree business scale up review
• financial readiness support
• access to SE grants where applicable

To be eligible, you must be a female founder or co-founder of an established start-up business. 

Your business must: 

• have been operating for approximately 1 to 5 years
• be headquartered in Scotland

You will need to show that your business has ambition to grow. For example, it should have:  

• a turnover of around £250,000
• plans to raise significant investment in the next 12 to 18 months
• 2 to 10 full-time employees
• ambitions to begin or grow international exports within the next 6 to 12 months
• recruitment for the first c-suite leaders in place (or have already)
• a commercially proven and scalable business

It is free to join and attend the programme, including the 3-day residential Scale Up Sprint. You'll need to cover any travel or other costs associated with attending in-person sessions.

Female founders and co-founders of established start-up businesses based in Scotland, with ambitions to grow and scale their companies internationally.

The programme will run from November 2026 to March 2027. During this period, you'll need to join:

• an in person onboarding session
• a 3 full-day residential in-person Scale Up Sprint
• an in person reflections and next steps session

The deadline to apply is 5:00 pm on Monday 19 October 2026.

Applicants should be available for a final selection interview online on either Tuesday 10 October 2026 or Wednesday 11 November 2026. 

Visit the Scottish Enterprise website for more information and to apply.