Business News Round Up (22/05/2025)
£40 billion Scottish net zero financing initiative unveiled
A dedicated Scottish green finance initiative has been launched, with the aim of unlocking up to £40bn a year of investment into projects across the country. Transition Finance Scotland (TFS), in partnership with the Green Finance Institute (GFI), will mobilise private capital into priority decarbonisation sectors. The partnership has already brought together 40 Scottish organisations across financial services, project developers and the public sector, to help facilitate an expansion of investment in net zero initiatives. By bringing together these stakeholders, this initiative aims to stimulate investment into a pipeline of opportunity across Scotland’s energy and infrastructure sectors, including the built environment, carbon capture and floating offshore wind. TFS plans to build upon GFI’s expertise in structured finance, policy design and project development, to actively focus on unlocking barriers to capital flow and creating innovative financial solutions in the market.
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/40-billion-scottish-net-zero-35263894
Fewer Scottish companies go insolvent in April
The number of company insolvencies registered in Scotland saw a modest decrease in April 2025, falling by 7% compared to the same month in the previous year, with 101 cases recorded. This total comprised 47 creditors’ voluntary liquidations (CVLs), 51 compulsory liquidations, and three administrations. There were no company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) or receivership appointments. Looking at the broader picture, the company insolvency rate in Scotland for the 12 months ending April 2025 stood at 51.2 per 10,000 active companies. This figure represents a slight improvement, down by 1.5 from the rate recorded in the 12 months leading up to April 2024. Michelle Elliot, restructuring advisory partner at FRP in Glasgow, said: “While these figures are welcome, many Scottish businesses are still operating under considerable financial strain.”
https://www.scottishfinancialnews.com/articles/fewer-scottish-companies-go-insolvent-in-april
Board of Trade meet to help UK exporters take advantage of new trade deals
The revamped Board of Trade will meet for the first time to support small business exporters, following recent UK trade deals with India, the US, and the EU to boost food and drink exports. Led by Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, the Board is poised to become a cornerstone of the Government’s Growth Mission, Plan for Change and the wider modern Industrial Strategy to support British businesses to thrive and grow. The Board meet fresh off the back of the third major trade agreement in as many weeks, ensuring the UK is facing out into the world again to boost business, support workers and grow the economy. This week’s deal with the EU means a new SPS agreement will make it easier for food and drink to exported by reducing the red tape that placed burdens on businesses and led to lengthy lorry queues at the border.
Scottish EDGE awards £1.5m to high-growth startups
Scottish EDGE returned for its 25th round as 35 winners with high-growth potential took home £1.5 million in prize money. The awards ceremony was hosted by Royal Bank of Scotland at Citation in Glasgow city centre and united entrepreneurs who made it through the competitive pitching process to secure funding. The biggest winner at the awards was Vanilla Farms, who cures and supplies premium-quality vanilla using sustainable, high-tech agriculture. The business received a total of £150,000 from the newest addition, Missions EDGE, supported by Scottish Enterprise. Veteran awards categories also returned for the 25th round, with the £100,000 Scale EDGE Award, supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, going to accredited Royal Yachting Association (RYA) training centre, Ardent Training. Meanwhile, Shifted Group and Swift Aeronautics secured funding as the top £15,000 Young EDGE Winners, supported by Techscaler and IOE Foundation respectively.
https://www.digit.fyi/scottish-edge-winners-25