Empowering Women to Turn Ideas Into Impact
A fully funded programme helping women across Scotland bring business ideas to life — through confidence coaching, expert support and tailored advice.
What’s Included
01
Business Adviser Sessions (3 Sessions)
Receive tailored one-to-one support from an experienced business adviser. Plans are created for each participant, resulting in individualised roadmaps to success. Advisers help shape your idea, set goals, and connect you with wider support.
02
Confidence Coaching (up to 3 sessions)
Work with an ILM-accredited coach to overcome mindset barriers, build self-belief and improve clarity. These powerful one-to-one sessions support your personal and professional development.
03
Consultancy Support
Access a bank of expert consultants across areas such as prototyping, branding, intellectual property, digital, HR and more. Support is tailored to what you need, when you need it.
04
Workshops
Join live, interactive group sessions — or catch up later with pre-recorded versions. Topics include business modelling, marketing, funding, tech, website design and more. Learn at your own pace, in your own way.
05
Showcase Opportunity
Present your idea at a final showcase to an invited panel of experts and supporters. Get feedback, raise your profile and make powerful connections.
06
Lifetime access to the FeMade Alumni network
Join a growing network of female founders and innovators. Stay connected, supported and inspired long after the programme ends.
Who is it for
Females with a business idea — but not sure how to make it real
- You might lack technical confidence or industry contacts - You’re at the beginning of your journey - You don’t know where to start — but you're ready to take a first step
Females ready to learn, grow and connect — with the right support
- You want to turn your idea into something real - You’re open to advice, coaching and expert guidance - You’re excited to meet other women on the same journey - You’re looking for a supportive space to explore your potential
Females based in Scotland — rooted here, with room to grow
- You live in Scotland, whether rural, urban or in-between - You want support from a team that understands the local business landscape - You’re open to connecting with other Scottish entrepreneurs
Apply
FeMade is a fully funded support programme designed to help women in Scotland turn early-stage business ideas into reality.
Whether you want to launch a side hustle, develop a prototype, or build the foundations of a future business — FeMade gives you the tools, confidence and community to take your next step.
- Turn your idea into a real product or service
Get tailored support to go from concept to action - Confidence coaching and business adviser support
One-to-one expert support to help you grow with confidence - Expert-led consultancy and workshops
Access technical, legal, branding, digital and creative experts
- Turn your idea into a real product or service
- Connect with a peer network of women founders
Join a supportive community through live sessions & alumni group - Fully funded — no cost to take part
Backed by the Ecosystem Fund and Scottish Government.
- Connect with a peer network of women founders
**Please note that FeMade applications are currently closed.**
Why a Female-Focused Programme?
Despite progress, women in Scotland remain significantly underrepresented in entrepreneurship — particularly in innovation-led and STEM-related sectors.
The Pathways: A New Approach for Women in Entrepreneurship report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, found that:
“Only one in five businesses in Scotland are led by women — and systemic barriers continue to prevent women from turning ideas into enterprises.”
FeMade was created in direct response to this challenge.
Too often, women with brilliant ideas:
Lack access to technical support
- Lack access to the know-how to turn their idea into a product or service
Don’t see themselves represented in start-up spaces
Face lower confidence and higher perceived risk
Haven’t had encouragement or opportunity to innovate
FeMade removes these barriers by offering personalised support, coaching, mentorship and technical consultancy — all in a supportive, women-led environment.
We’re here to bridge the gap from idea to action. Whether you want to launch a new product, solve a social problem, or bring an invention to life, FeMade is designed to help you do it — confidently, creatively and your way.
The Story Behind FeMade
FeMade was developed by STEP — The Original Incubator and Accelerator® — after decades of working with women in business across Scotland.
We saw a pattern: women with promising ideas were stopping before they started — not because they weren’t capable, but because they didn’t know how to turn their concept into something real. They told us they lacked:
Technical know-how
Industry connections
Confidence to take the first step
So, we built FeMade — a fully funded programme tailored to what women actually need at the earliest stage.
It’s not about writing a business plan or raising investment (yet). It’s about turning ideas into action and empowering the next wave of female founders in Scotland.
STEP | Supporting Female Entrepreneurs since 1983
This programme is fully funded through the Ecosystem Pathways Fund 2025/26, delivered with support from the Scottish Government.
