Invest in Angus

Lunch and Learn: Unlocking the power of AI voice bots
2025-08-13 12:00 - 12:30 UTC
Join Pamela Ajogbeje for a practical walkthrough of powerful tools designed to help small business owners simplify operations and scale with confidence.
In this Lunch and Learn, you’ll discover how the Prestige Assistant AI voice bot can handle customer calls, bookings and FAQs 24/7, acting as your always-on receptionist.
Whether you’re looking to improve customer experience, free up your time or turn feedback into income, these tools will help you work smarter, not harder.
Topics covered in this session:

How the Prestige Assistant AI voice bot can manage incoming customer calls, bookings and FAQs automatically
How to turn customer reviews into measurable business growth using the Review to Revenue Management System
How to integrate both tools into your business to save time and increase profitability

AI for Exports - Breaking Into International Markets
2025-08-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Scottish Enterprise, 99 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HD
From market research and customer insights to automated marketing and logistics optimization, AI is transforming how companies scale globally.
If you’re a business using eCommerce to scale internationally, this event is for you.
Led by Ali Shariat, this session will explore how businesses like yours can use AI-powered solutions to scale.
Ali transformed Coconut Merchant from a startup to a £7M powerhouse using Amazon to rival top brands. Capitalizing on this triumph, he secured listings in major UK retailers expanding to 15+ countries. As a co-founder of ThisWayUp, Ali infuses deep technical expertise, benefiting hundreds of brands.
Through the course of this session, Ali will help you gain an understanding of:

The main AI Platforms and the jargon they use
How AI tools can identify and analyse new market opportunities
How to leverage these tools for cost-effective marketing and customer engagement
The AI solutions for streamlining operations, logistics, and customer support across different regions
Real-world examples of businesses successfully using AI to expand internationally.

Amazon and eMarketplaces drop-in clinic
2025-08-13 14:00 - 16:30 | Scottish Enterprise, 99 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5HD
Ali Shariat and Zamir Cajee will lead this drop-in session on everything you need to know about the most popular eMarketplaces.
Covering all major online marketplaces including including Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Faire, and Etsy, the session will offer general information as well as personal advice for your business.

Agritourism Development: A capital project for sustainable rural growth
2025-08-14 10:00 - 15:30 | The Commercial Hotel, 11 Main Street, Balintore, IV20 1UE
This Scotland’s Agritourism Monitor Farms Programme meeting will showcase the progress on the village hotel development by Monitor Farmers, Fiona and John Scott of Fearn Farm.
We will have a walk around the hotel development and hear about the progress to date. We will then convene in the Seaboard Hall for presentations and discussion.
Fiona and John Scott, Monitor Farmers, have been making great progress with the re-development of the hotel and will update us on their business plan, the project timeline and the challenges they have overcome along the way.
Lesley McArthur, Glen Clova Estate Partner, will join us to talk about her experience running a successful rural hotel and restaurant business and will highlight the continuing challenges but also the opportunities for the business. Glen Clova Hotel have recently undertaken a significant developed with a new events space called The Barn which continues their focus on sustainability, local impact with a warm, personal service.

Lunch and Learn: The biggest data mistakes SMEs make and how to avoid them
2025-08-14 12:00 - 12:30
Is your business data helping you grow or holding you back?
In this practical session led by Jane Jawad, you’ll find out how to clear the clutter and focus on what really matters. You’ll learn what to fix, what to build, and what to stop doing so your data starts working for you.
Topics covered in this session:

A simple data plan you can act on immediately
Confidence in using your numbers to guide decisions
Tools that suit your size – no tech team required

How to write funding applications
2025-08-14 12:00 - 14:00
When submitting applications for funding, you need to ensure that the applications are written in such a way that improves your chances of being successful.
There are numerous funders out there and each will have their unique way they wish you to apply, however, in this webinar we’ll explore some key steps you can take to improve your chances of a successful application, including:

Clarifying your need

Demonstrating your needs

Understanding your funder

How to speak their language

Getting the basics right

Overcoming the common mistakes

Answering the questions asked

Lunch and Learn: How generative AI tools work
2025-08-15 12:00 - 12:30
Not sure how to get more done with AI for your business?
In this 30-minute workshop, led by Shimron Walters, you will learn how to get the most out of AI, from better understanding your options to changing the way you prompt and using automated workflows and AI agents. By the end of this session, you will learn how to get more done with less.
Key takeaways from this session:

Learn about the generative AI tools available to you and how they can benefit your business
Learn how to get the most from these generative AI tools to maximise productivity
Learn how you can connect tools to create custom workflows

Shimron is the founder of BitesizedGenius, a social enterprise helping organisations adopt AI and build digital confidence. Shimron brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to his work.

How to plan and schedule your online content
2025-08-18 10:00 - 12:00
Businesses who plan their content in advance, aligning their channels with actual business objectives, customer themes and national events, and then schedule it to ensure it reaches the target market at the right time, on the right platform – hugely increase the chances of achieving impact.
In this webinar, you will learn how to:

Plan content based on your business and your customer needs
Evaluate current social media dashboards and management tools
Create a social media content calendar and schedule updates automatically
Reach more people through automating your blog and email newsletter content
Implement simple automation techniques to increase efficiency

Having great content is just the start. This webinar will help you better organise and setup your content strategy through simple planning and effective scheduling, to achieve great business results.

CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Showcase - Glasgow
2025-08-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, 50 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6HQ
The CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Feasibility Challenge Call provides funding for companies looking to develop cutting-edge solutions to strengthen Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain.
To date, more than £1 million has been awarded to 22 companies. This event – one of two, in Glasgow and Aberdeen – will showcase their groundbreaking work so far.
As well as discovering the latest innovations in offshore wind, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Network with industry leaders, innovators, and developers
Explore new technologies and collaborative opportunities

Presenting Companies

Frontier Robotics – Developing photorealistic 3D interactive models for subsea inspections using the latest computer vision reconstruction techniques.
Trios Renewables – Advancing state-of-the-art floating offshore wind technical and commercial models.
Reblade Limited – Supporting Phase 2 of their digital innovation tool that supports major offshore wind farm components, in collaboration with OREC.
Malin Marine Consultants Ltd – Developing optimised drag anchors to be more efficient and effective while allowing a scalable manufacturing process suitable for additive manufacturing.
Ilosta Ltd – Using physics-based AI to develop intelligent monitoring for offshore wind foundations.
Encomara Limited – Conducting a technical and commercial feasibility assessment of SQUID adoption for the OSSIAN Offshore Wind Project.
Napkin Innovation Limited – Replacing grout to cut the time and emissions associated with offshore installation.
Wind Rider Caledonia Ltd – Studying the rotatable, self-aligning wind tower to reduce costs and enhance performance.
Quoceant Ltd – Designing an innovative solution to provide direct mooring line termination and articulation into their high-strength Q-Connect M mooring quick connector.
T12 Engineering Ltd – Developing an offshore mooring system.
Blackfish Engineering Design Ltd – Enhancing floating offshore wind (FLOW) marine operations with the C-Dart quick mooring connector.
Fathom Group Limited – Validating technology adapted from fixed offshore wind to floating offshore wind, assessing performance against OpenFAST, the industry-standard simulation tool.
Airspection Limited – Testing and demonstrating drone technology in preparation for a critical customer and regulatory trial with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

This event will be most beneficial for:

Scottish engineering and manufacturing companies
Offshore wind developers and supply chain professionals
Innovators, technologists, academics, and entrepreneurs
Anyone passionate about Scotland’s clean energy future

Event Highlights

Live presentations from funded innovators
Networking sessions with key stakeholders
Insights into Scotland’s offshore wind infrastructure, market opportunities, and innovation landscape

Spaces are limited – register now to secure your place.

How to improve your Google search rankings - Part 2: Off page optimisation & technical considerations
2025-08-18 14:00 - 16:00
Join us as we take a further, more detailed look at how the Google search engines indexes and ranks websites based on a number of external (off-page) and technical factors. Implementing this learning will increase your chances of customers discovering your business through Google – the world’s leading research tool.
We will cover:

How to block or control what websites are allowed to ‘index’
The importance of a fast loading mobile website
How security and usability influence Google
What “off-page” optimisation means, and tactics to generate back-links
The importance of Local SEO, and why a “Google Business Profile” is vital

Lunch and Learn: How to close high-ticket sales
2025-08-19 12:00 - 12:30
Are you spending your energy talking to prospects but struggling with converting your high-ticket offer?
In this webinar, Lisa Giet takes you through the importance of ethics in transactions within the high-ticket sales space and also the psychology of sales from the buyer’s perspective.
She’ll also discuss how to actually close high-ticket offers over the phone and provide excellent fulfilment and after-care.
Topics covered in this session:

The psychology of sales
How to close high-ticket offers over the phone
Ethical practices in selling

Bookkeeping essentials
2025-08-20 10:00 - 12:00
This webinar is for those who are entering business for the first time or require an understanding of what is involved in financially managing a business, including basic bookkeeping, and creating a profit and loss account. You will also get an understanding of what expenses the business can claim and then how to fund your business. At the end of the session, you will receive a workbook on excel to help you manage and monitor costs and sales.
At the end of this session, you will be able to:

Implement basic bookkeeping skills across your business
Create a profit and loss account
Understand what expenses can and cannot be claimed
Use financial management to increase revenues and profits
Understand capital and revenue costs and how they are treated

Livestock IPM with Dr Claire Whittle
2025-08-20 10:30 - 14:30 | Guardswell Farm, Inchture, PH14 9QZ
Join the Soil Association at Guardswell Farm, Perthshire, with hosts Digby and Anna Lamotte for an engaging and practical workshop exploring what a Whole Farm approach to regenerative disease and pest management really looks like in practice. This session will focus on integrating animal health and welfare planning within a regenerative farming system.
We’re delighted to welcome Dr Claire Whittle – farmer, veterinary surgeon, and leading advocate for regenerative agriculture. Claire specialises in applying principles of ecosystem health on farms and will share insights on how regenerative practices can improve livestock resilience, reduce disease pressures, and enhance overall farm sustainability.
Through interactive discussion and practical examples, you’ll gain tools and strategies for building healthier systems from the soil up. This is an unmissable opportunity for farmers, land managers, and anyone interested in the future of sustainable livestock management.
Hot lunch included.
FREE and open to farmers, crofters, growers and land managers. Booking required.

Scaling lead generation and developing a clear value proposition
2025-08-20 13:00 - 15:00
How to grow your business by scaling your lead generation with Laura Burton

How to design a scalable online lead generation system
The key assets and tools you need to do the heavy lifting for you (yes, we’ll talk AI)
What to consider before you scale your leads (There might be another way to grow)

Developing a clear value proposition with Leisa Pickles

Discover the three essential ingredients of a killer value proposition
Learn how to reflect your customer’s exact needs using their own language to build connection and trust
Explore how to communicate your value clearly on social media to attract better-fit leads and generate more interest

SMAS Best Practice Visit to Scottish Leather Group
2025-08-21 09:00 - 11:30 | Scottish Leather Group, Turner Drive, Paisley, PA3 4EP
Join Scotland’s leading manufacturers on a journey of transformation through the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) Best Practice Visit Programme.
These exclusive visits are your chance to step inside pioneering businesses, see cutting-edge technologies in action, and walk away with ideas that can reshape your own operations.
Whether you’re looking to boost productivity, modernise legacy systems, or connect with like-minded peers—this is where progress begins.
As the UK’s leading leather manufacturer, Scottish Leather Group produces the world’s lowest carbon intensity leather, supplying prestigious global brands in aviation, automotive, rail, marine, and luxury goods.
With more than 500 years of heritage and a relentless focus on sustainability, circular manufacturing, and innovation, they are redefining what’s possible in modern manufacturing.
At this visit, you’ll see how Scottish Leather Group is:

Harnessing Vision Systems and AI to enhance quality control, reduce waste, and streamline production.
Modernising legacy processes while preserving craftsmanship and heritage.
Embedding sustainability at every stage, from circular manufacturing to carbon reduction.
Driving innovation through investment in digital transformation and workforce development.
Collaborating globally while staying rooted in Scottish excellence.

This is a chance to learn directly from a manufacturer that’s setting the standard for sustainable, tech-enabled production in a traditional industry. Discover Innovation in action.

Social media essentials: TikTok and Instagram Reels
2025-08-21 10:00 - 12:00
TikTok and Instagram Reels aren’t just for dance trends and lip-synching videos, they can also be a fantastic opportunity to engage with your customers and increase the reach of your business online. Learn how to create bitesize video content for more effective business communication on two of the most popular social platforms.
We will cover:

How to optimise your TikTok and Instagram accounts for the best results with video
How to discover the latest trends on each platform and leverage this to create popular videos for your business
Ideas for creating content to entertain, inspire or educate your audience (with lots of examples from a variety of relevant TikTok and Reels accounts)
How to increase engagement and reach by paying attention to your videos’ structure, duration, titles and understanding hashtags and algorithms
The best kit, apps and workflow to create bitesize vertical videos for both platforms

How your customer can tell you what you could do better
2025-08-21 11:00 - 12:30
This session will be delivered by GrowBiz Chief Operating Officer, Karen Nichol who has a background in business development, planning and marketing.
Karen will show you how collecting both numbers and stories from your customers can unlock powerful insights. You’ll discover how to use that feedback to elevate your offering—boosting loyalty, satisfaction, and ultimately, sales. Whether you run a product-based or service-based business, this session is packed with practical learning you won’t want to miss.
Join this session and you’ll walk away with:

Simple ways to ask customers for meaningful feedback
Tools to collect both data and rich customer stories
Tips to identify what customers really value (and what they don’t)
Strategies to use feedback to improve your offering and increase sales
Confidence to build feedback into your everyday customer journey

Join us to explore how small shifts in how you ask—and listen—can lead to big wins. One thoughtful question could spark your next breakthrough.

How to generate and increase sales
2025-08-25 13:00 - 15:00
Sales are the lifeblood of every business. This webinar focuses on a pragmatic approach to sales strategy and delivery and is designed to fit with the needs of small businesses in both B2C and B2B environments.
We will cover:

Why a clear understanding of what an ideal customer looks like, and a good understanding of their problems, needs and wants is key to sales success
How to develop your sales platform using digital tools, platforms, and techniques
The different motivations potential customers may have and how to identify which ‘buttons’ your business needs to press
The key phases in prospecting, qualifying, and converting sales prospects
The value of a ‘sales funnel’ and how it can be used to help plan and achieve sales
Why keeping the customers you already have is the best sales strategy of all
The importance of appropriate customer service in retaining customers

How Leaders Learn Leadership
2025-08-26 10:00 - 11:00
Join this webinar to learn how leaders learn leadership.
You’ll leave with practical, research-based insights that:

Show how your own experiences can help you understand your leadership strengths
Introduce strategies leaders use to enhance their learning
Build your understanding of the skills leaders see as essential to developing their practice

Led by Professor Carole Elliott from the University of St Andrews Business School, the session draws on the latest research and real-world examples. It explores how leaders use their unique environments to grow their leadership practice.
You’ll come away with clear, actionable strategies to help you reflect on your own approach to leadership.

Finding, keeping and looking after your staff
2025-08-26 10:00 - 12:00
One of the most daunting challenges a business can face is the process of hiring employees, interviewing, payroll, pensions, contracts, remote working and more, it is a minefield for the business owner.
This webinar will allow you to have the key information in your possession to take on staff and look after your team.
We’ll cover:

Finding, keeping and looking after your staff
Attracting and recruiting the best people for your business
Your obligations as employers
How to retain staff members
Moving on
Dismissal
Restructure/Redundancy

We will also look at:

How in the current climate you can manage staff and teams in a remote environment, considering their productivity, efficiency, and the issues of home working
How you can best manage staff to ensure productivity is kept and mental health is supported
The impact of companies who may be considering restructuring and therefore redundancy for the first time and how that can be managed

CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Showcase - Aberdeen
2025-08-26 10:00 - 16:00 | Net Zero Technology Centre, 20 Queen's Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4ZT
The CAN DO Offshore Wind Innovation Feasibility Challenge Call provides funding for companies looking to develop cutting-edge solutions to strengthen Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain.
To date, more than £1 million has been awarded to 22 companies. This event – one of two, in Glasgow and Aberdeen – will showcase their groundbreaking work so far.
As well as discovering the latest innovations in offshore wind, you’ll have the opportunity to:

Network with industry leaders, innovators, and developers
Explore new technologies and collaborative opportunities

Presenting Companies

Rovtech Solutions – Development of the VALOR™ Tether Management System.
Build the Reef Ltd – Building subsea protection structures to implement Artificial Reef Subsea Cable & Anchorage Protection.
Fennex Ltd – Developing AI-driven solutions to optimize offshore wind operations based on weather conditions.
SeaThor – Conducting a feasibility study for deploying CableSpring, a dynamic cable buoyancy module system.
TTI Marine Renewables Ltd – Developing their “Integrated Strain Sensor” designed to monitor the through-life health of mooring ropes deployed in Offshore Floating Wind Arrays.
GEG Holdings Ltd – Repurposing tanker jetties for use as deep-water berths supporting floating offshore wind.
Titan Energies Limited – Adapting proven oil & gas technology for offshore wind by redesigning drilling techniques and integrating them with existing wind mooring systems.
First Marine Solutions Limited – Exploring feasibility for a novel mooring integrity monitor for floating offshore wind platforms.

This event will be most beneficial for:

Scottish engineering and manufacturing companies
Offshore wind developers and supply chain professionals
Innovators, technologists, academics, and entrepreneurs
Anyone passionate about Scotland’s clean energy future

Event Highlights

Live presentations from funded innovators
Networking sessions with key stakeholders
Insights into Scotland’s offshore wind infrastructure, market opportunities, and innovation landscape

Spaces are limited – register now to secure your place.

Google Analytics – Understand how your website performs
2025-08-26 14:00 - 16:00
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that helps you understand how your website is performing. It helps answer lots of questions, including:

Which marketing channels drive traffic to your site?
What pages are users looking at the most?
What impact does mobile have on your potential customers?

During this webinar, we’ll help you understand how Google Analytics is set up and give you an overview of key reports. We’ll also look at other web analytics tools to help you online.

Making Tax Digital Explained: Businesses With Over £50k Turnover
2025-08-26 16:00 - 17:30
Whether you’re a sole trader, landlord, or small business owner, this friendly, no-nonsense session will get you up to speed.
If your combined income from self-employment and property is £50,000 or more, you’ll be required to follow the new rules from April 2026. We’ll cut through the confusion, explain what’s changing, and show you how to stay compliant without the stress.
This session will be presented by GrowBiz Finance Manager, Kirsteen Hardie.
By the end of the session, you’ll be able to:

Understand who MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment applies to and when it starts
Know exactly what you’ll need to submit to HMRC – and how often
See how cloud accounting can save time and make things easier
Get tips on choosing the right digital tools for your business
Feel confident about taking your next steps toward compliance

This session is a must to small businesses that meet this level of turnover – so please do come along to find out more.
GrowBiz provides enterprise support to businesses, social and micro-enterprises and the self-employed across rural and island Scotland. Please only book a space if you are based in rural Scotland.

How to start a business: The basics
2025-08-27 10:00 - 12:00
Whatever your reasons may be for considering being your own boss, we are here to support you and help you decide if this is the right path for you.
We will cover:

Personal finance
Planning – how much do you need to earn?
Researching your market – who your customers are, understanding your competition and what the trends are within your chosen field
Business structure – what are the core business structures? How to decide which is right for you and how to register as a business
Creating your start-up action plan – an outline
Marketing
Pricing
Naming the business
Basic bookkeeping
Forecasting
Financing, banking, insurance, and VAT
Tax

The future of retail: trends, challenges & opportunities
2025-08-27 12:00 - 13:30
This session will delve into the challenges, opportunities, and innovations shaping the sector today—from shifting consumer behaviours and sustainability goals to digital transformation and policy support.
Joining Host Hugh Lightbody, our panellists will share practical insights and strategic perspectives in response to key questions such as:

What are the biggest challenges currently facing the Scottish retail sector?
How are you adapting your business to face these challenges?
How has consumer behaviour in Scotland evolved over the past year, and what trends are you paying attention to?
What steps can businesses take to build resilience against economic pressures such as inflation and energy costs?
Looking ahead, what does a successful and sustainable Scottish retail landscape look like in 2030

Our panellists are:

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head, Scottish Retail Consortium
Emily Still, Gull’s Grocery
Alex Feechan, Findra Clothing

Following the panel, attendees are invited to stay on for an informal online networking session. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow retailers, share ideas, and continue the conversation in a relaxed and collaborative setting.
Join us to share your experience, inspire others, and help shape a thriving future for Scottish retail.

The simplicity strategy for STEM edupreneurs
2025-08-27 13:00 - 13:30
You’ve got STEM expertise and big ideas. But instead of launching, you’re stuck overthinking, overbuilding and overwhelmed.
This free 30-minute session is designed for STEM teachers and professionals who want to cut through the noise and finally move from ideas to income.
Learn simplicity-first strategy with Katerina Thomas:

Discover why complexity slows down every STEM edupreneur and how to overcome it
Learn the Simplicity-first strategy in three clear steps that cut overwhelm and build momentum
Practice a fast-win exercise that shows how simple your first launch can be

Growing your online network to attract new customers
2025-08-27 13:00 - 15:00
Developing a network of potential partners and customers with Alison Battisby

Learn how to create a compelling LinkedIn profile that builds trust, highlights your value proposition and attracts potential partners, clients and investors
Discover proven techniques for identifying and connecting with the right people to grow your business network
Understand how to use posts, articles and comments to generate meaningful conversations that can lead to opportunities

Selling products outside of your existing network with Carol Carson

Explore online sales channels to get your products in front of new buyers
Tapping into collaborations, referrals and affiliates and reaching new customers
Using social media to find buyers and reach customers beyond your current followers

Social media essentials: Instagram
2025-08-27 14:00 - 16:00
Thinking about using Instagram to communicate with existing and potential customers? Want to showcase your products or services using it? During this webinar we will cover:

Getting the setup right and benefitting from the available business tools
Best practice profiles, and some strategies to help your business stand out from the crowd
The types of audience you can reach via this platform and the factors and analytics such as cost and timing of posting images and how that can maximise impact
The various types of content you can post to Instagram, from regular posts to Stories and Reels

Social media essentials: Facebook
2025-08-27 18:00 - 20:00
Get to grips with Facebook – the world’s most popular social networking platform.
In this webinar you will:

Learn how to get the most out of Facebook and how it could fit into your business’s digital marketing strategy
Better understand the algorithm behind Facebook, and how to create great content that achieves a bigger reach and impact
Learn from the stats and data you can get from the system and discover who your most interested customers/clients are
Understand the power of Facebook advertising, and other selling options available to you
Discover other business opportunities presented by Facebook, including how to promote and sell products and services
Be introduced to ‘Business Suite’ – a free Facebook dashboard to manage all your business activity

ANGUSalive’s ‘On Stage’ Launch
2025-08-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Webster Memorial Theatre, 64 High Street, Arbroath, DD11 1AW
Join us for an exclusive event at The Webster Memorial Theatre in Arbroath, as we launch our latest ‘On Stage’ brochure, outlining the programme of upcoming performances across ANGUSalive venues.
Discover how your business can take centre stage with us, learn how we can support each other when performances come to town, and connect with other local businesses.
We hope you can join us to find out more about our plans, hear some top tips from businesses who have benefited from past performances, and enjoy a tour of the theatre.
Refreshments will be provided.
