The Scottish Growth Scheme is a package of financial support of up to £500 million for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland. Backed by the Scottish Government, it aims to help businesses grow.

This funding includes Business Loans Scotland, which is a consortium of Scottish local authorities. They provide loans ranging from £25,000 to £250,000 to eligible businesses on behalf of the Scottish Government.

These loans can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

• working capital
• capital expenditure
• growth funding

To be eligible for a business loan of up to £250,000 from Business Loans Scotland, businesses must:

• be a small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), external link which will open in a new window
• have a borrowing proposal which the lender would consider viable, were it not for the current pandemic
• have a viable business plan which demonstrates you can pay back the loan, and demonstrates how the requested funding will help grow or secure (in the case of liquidity loans) your business
• be based in Scotland or ready to relocate to Scotland (and be located in Scotland before any loan financing is made available)

Business Loans Scotland is not sector-specific and businesses in a variety of sectors have already been supported under the fund. However, certain sectors may still be restricted.

There is no cost to apply.

Startups and SMEs based in Scotland.

This will depend on the nature of your loan request and the review process. Business Loans Scotland will evaluate your application and make the lending decision.

Advice and support for SMEs seeking to access finance is available from Business Gateway. Financial readiness support is also available from Scottish Enterprise, including in the Highlands and Islands area.

Visit the Business Loans Scotland website for more information and to apply.