Check out the I-See Inclusive Business Support Expo

Tell us about the I-SEE Inclusive Business Support Expo, what is the event and what can people expect from it? 

The I-SEE Inclusive Business Support Expo is a welcoming, community-focused event that brings together Scotland’s leading business support organisations under one roof. It’s designed for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds – especially those who may have felt excluded or underserved in the past. We are working collaboratively with a range of business support partners in Scotland to build an inclusive Scottish entrepreneurial ecosystem. Visitors can therefore expect to discover the wide variety of support available to them, from funding and training to mentoring, networking, and tailored advice. Importantly, this isn’t a one-way showcase – it’s also a chance for active and aspiring freelancers, self-employed people, and business-owners to share their experiences and shape how inclusive business support should be designed and delivered in Scotland.

What might freelance creatives in the city expect to gain from attending the event (funding, mentoring, training and networking opportunities)? 

Freelance creatives will have plenty to gain from the event. The Expo features organisations that purposefully want to extend support in an inclusive fashion so it works for all. The business support partners that will be exhibiting at the expo offer funding opportunities, mentoring programmes, training and skills workshops, as well as networking connections with peers and industry professionals. Attending the expo also gives you a chance to explore not just what’s available now, but also to tell support providers what resources and opportunities are needed to help creative businesses like yours thrive. Whether you’re looking for financial backing, business advice, or ways to expand your professional network, you’ll find real opportunities at the I-SEE Inclusive Business Support Expo.

How can freelancers lean on networks and business support opportunities such as the Expo to grow their own practices? 

Freelancers often work independently, but events like the Expo remind us that no one has to build their business alone. By connecting with networks and business support providers, freelancers can access resources that will help them tackle challenges and build for growth. These connections can also spark collaborations, open doors to new clients and partners, and provide multiple opportunities for tailored business support. The Expo is also an open invitation for freelancers to ask questions, share ideas, and help our business support partners design support that fits your unique journey.

What plans are in place to ensure access to support beyond the Expo event?

We know that meaningful support should not end when the Expo doors close. That’s why we’re building an online community on the Community Lab platform where business support providers and entrepreneurs like you can continue to connect, share updates, and explore opportunities long after the event. The community will serve as a hub for ongoing engagement, giving entrepreneurs access to resources, advice, and networks whenever they need them. It will also allow support providers to keep listening, learning, and responding to the needs of freelance and other underserved entrepreneurs — ensuring the Expo becomes not just a one-day experience, but a community for lasting, inclusive business support in Scotland.

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Details about the Expo and how to attend: 

Wed, 1 Oct, 12pm - 4:30pm BST (Drop in anytime)  

University of Edinburgh Business School, 29 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9JS

Book your free tickets now: 

https://events.humanitix.com/i-see-inclusive-business-support-exhibition 

Link to join the online community on Community Lab:

https://app.communitylab.app/groups/mepals-i-see-business-support?invite=e7a551sQnYmJxPezj9Qhf5LT