Ready to RISE is a free eight week online programme designed to support women and non-binary people across Scotland to explore whether social enterprise could be a way to create meaningful work, earn a living, and make a positive impact. The programme aims to help participants build confidence, develop practical skills, grow their networks, and explore potential ideas, with eligible participants able to apply for up to £1,000 in grant funding to help progress their idea.

Delivered via Zoom on Wednesdays, 10am – 12:30pm, the programme runs across three training cohorts:

Wednesday 2 September 2026 – Wednesday 21 October 2026
Wednesday 28 October 2026 – Wednesday 16 December 2026
Wednesday 13 January 2027 – Wednesday 3 March 2027

Each round has 15 – 20 places available; once a round is fully booked, applications will automatically roll over to the next available training cohort.

Information Sessions

Firstport is hosting Ready to RISE: Let’s Get Started Information Sessions over the coming months. These informal sessions will provide an overview of the Ready to RISE programme details (including how Ready to RISE could support their idea), along with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions during the Q&A section, and hear directly from social entrepreneurs who have turned their ideas into careers. Emma Ives, an experienced start-up business advisor, will also be speaking with attendees.

Sessions will take place on:

Monday 21 September 2026, 10am – 11:30am: online, hosted by the Making Work Work team (part of the Challenges Group)
Friday 2 October 2026, 10:30am – 12:30pm: in-person at Adelphe Connect in Dunfermline, featuring social entrepreneur Eloho Efemuai, founder of Adelphe Connect
Thursday 22 October 2026, 1:30pm – 3:30pm: in-person at The Melting Pot in Edinburgh, featuring social entrepreneur Amy Wight, founder of Café Recharge

How To Apply and Further Information

Applications are now open for the first cohort beginning in September, and can be submitted via the online form (linked for your convenience).

For further information, please visit the Firstport website.