Forth Valley

Business Gateway in Forth Valley offers businesses practical help and guidance. Whether you're starting up or growing a business, we provide access to publicly-funded business support services. By supporting new and developing businesses across the Forth Valley, we contribute to Scotland's economic wellbeing.

We offer additional start-up, financial and procurement assistance as well as signposting and networking support across the Forth Valley area.

Thinking of Starting a Business?

There are many ways we can support your start-up journey.

Our Planning To Start tool is a great place to begin. It takes just 10 minutes to complete and provides you with an instant toolkit with key resources & information. We'll then connect you with a member of the team at our local office for further support.

Our website offers a business plan guide and template to download when you’re ready, market reports and research, as well as handy online guides and articles, video tutorials and podcasts. Plus, we have a great range of webinars to hone your start-up skills – from writing a business plan to marketing on a budget.

With our help, you could be in business sooner than you imagined.

Running a Business?

Our resources and one-to-one support can help you strengthen your business.

Whether you’re looking to take on premises or learn more about digital marketing, we can help you take the next step. Get started by taking 10 minutes to complete our Strengthen Your Business Tool and get a personalised dashboard of online resources and webinars.

We know that your time is in short supply, so we also offer one-to-one advice at a time and day to suit you. Together, you and your business adviser can create a strategic action plan to suit your ambitions.

Our online resources and webinars can help you learn new skills, create opportunities and gain confidence. From HR to restructuring, innovation and digital marketing - we can help. And if specialist input is required, we can connect you to other sources of support.

Improve your Digital Skills

Access webinars, online guides and a Digital Health Check.

From digital marketing strategy to social media, e-Commerce, cyber security and more, we can help boost your digital performance.

Our Digital Health Check is a great place to start. It will help pinpoint your digital strengths, areas you could improve, and how we can help, and it only takes 5 minutes to complete.

Small Business Bonus Scheme

This scheme offers reduced non-domestic rates on qualifying business premises.

More information is available on the Scottish Government website.

Regional Selective assistance (RSA)

This discretionary grant scheme aims to encourage businesses to undertake investment that will directly result in the creation or safeguarding of jobs.

Find out more about the scheme on the Scottish Enterprise website.

Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER - Sustainable Tourism Business Grant Scheme

This is aimed at helping small rural tourism businesses to develop in a sustainable way whilst at the same time generating local community benefit.

The grant available is 50 percent of eligible development costs (up to a maximum of £10,000) towards capital purchase or business development costs that promote the sustainability of the operation or area.

Community benefit must be delivered as part of the business development and must be measurable and evidenced through a local community organisation. A business plan must be provided with the application. More information is available on the Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER website.

The Women's Business Centre

The Women's Business Centre is a website designed to support women at the pre-start and start-up through to growth stages of their business journey.

Operated by Women’s Enterprise Scotland, the Women's Business Centre website is free to access and offers dedicated, needs-based content on starting and growing a business, including stories, encouragement and top tips from leading business owners across Scotland.

Supplier Development Programme (SDP)

The Supplier Development Programme provides support through a range of free tender training, e-learning modules and Meet the Buyer events to help Scottish SMEs, social enterprises and third sector organisations in bidding for public sector opportunities.

Find your nearest office

Business Gateway Falkirk

Falkirk Stadium
4 Stadium Way
Falkirk
FK2 9EE
Get directions
01324 590 960

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday

09:00 to 17:00

Business Gateway Alloa

Alloa Business Centre
Alloa Business Park, Whins Road
Alloa
FK10 3SA
Get directions
01259 726 430

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday

Mon to Thurs 09:00 - 17:00; Fri 09:00 - 16:30

Business Gateway Stirling

John Player Building
Stirling
FK7 7RP
Get directions
01786 476 714

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday

08:30 to 17:00