Entrepreneurs welcomed onto Gaelic business support programme

Cruthachadh Chothroman: A’ Cur ri Fàs san Àm ri Teachd (Shaping Opportunities: Fuelling Future Growth) is led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and delivered by Elevator. 
 
The six-module pilot programme is designed to help participants transform their ideas into actionable business ventures.   
 
Covering essential business topics such as business skills, financial growth, Gaelic marketing, branding, collaboration and pitching.  
 
The opening session takes place today (Friday 13 June) with an in-person session at Jansvans in Portree, while remaining modules will be delivered online.  
 
Mairi Buchanan, head of Gaelic at HIE, said:  

“The programme will encourage participants to explore innovative ways of integrating Gaelic into their business. With expert support, they’ll delve into how Gaelic can enhance brand authenticity, reflect cultural heritage and add commercial value.  
 
“Participants will also benefit from networking with industry leaders and like-minded entrepreneurs. We’re excited to launch the programme and look forward to seeing these businesses grow in the months ahead.” 

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

“This programme will help businesses to reach new markets by putting Gaelic at the heart of their operations.

“The language is a unique selling point for Scotland which has global appeal.

“To grow Gaelic, we are taking forward the Scottish Languages Bill to strengthen provision of Gaelic education and investing a total of £35.7 million in initiatives to promote the language in 2025-26.”

Elevator CEO Rachel Ross said: “We share a strong belief in supporting and scaling Gaelic heritage and culture, and with Cruthachadh Chothroman we’ve utilised our expertise in assembling collaborative partners to deliver a best-of-class bespoke community-driven accelerator. 

"We’re pleased to be working alongside HIE and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, with valuable input from Robert Gordon University, University of Strathclyde, and University of Glasgow, and thank the number of local businesses who have helped to sponsor the pitch funding pot.”

Fàilte ga chur air luchd-tionnsgain gu prògram taic gnothachais Gàidhlig

Tha dhà-dheug neach-tionnsgain bho air feadh Alba air tòiseachadh air prògram ùr a tha dealbhaichte gus an cuideachadh a’ fuasgladh nam buannachdan an lùib Gàidhlig fhilleadh a-steach do na gnothachasan aca.

Tha Cruthachadh Chothroman: A’ Cur ri Fàs san Àm ri Teachd (Shaping Opportunities: Fuelling Future Growth) air a stiùireadh le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE), le taic bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig agus air a lìbhrigeadh le Elevator. 
 
Tha am prògram pìleit sia-modalan air a dhealbhadh gu com-pàirtichean a chuideachadh le am beachd-smuaintean a chruth-atharrachadh gu iomairtean gnothachais so-ghnìomhach.   
 
A’ còmhdach chuspairean gnothachais riatanach leithid sgilean gnothachais, fàs ionmhasail, margaideachd Ghàidhlig, branndadh, co-obrachadh agus adhartachadh.  
 
Bidh an seisean fosglaidh a’ gabhail àite an-diugh (Dihaoine 13 Ògmhios) le seisean pearsanta aig Jansvans ann am Port Rìgh, agus bidh na modalan eile air an lìbhrigeadh air-loidhne.
 
Thuirt Màiri Bhochanan, ceannard na Gàidhlig aig HIE:  

“Bheir am prògram misneachd do chom-pàirtichean rannsachadh a dhèanamh air dòighean ùr-ghnàthach airson Gàidhlig amalachadh don ghnothachas aca. Le taic eòlaichean, bidh iad a’ dèanamh sgrùdadh air mar as urrainn don Ghàidhlig ùghdarrachd brannd àrdachadh, dualchas cultarach a dhèanamh follaiseach agus luach coimearsalta a chur ris.
 
“Gheibh com-pàirtichean buannachd bho bhith a’ lìonraidheadh le stiùirichean gnìomhachais agus luchd-tionnsgain den aon bharail. Tha sinn air ar dòigh am prògram fhoillseachadh agus a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith a’ faicinn nan gnothachasan a’ fàs sna mìosan a tha romhainn.” 

Thuirt Ceit Fhoirbeis, an Leas-Chiad Mhinistear:  

“Bidh am prògram seo na chuideachadh do ghnothachasan gu margaidean ùra a ruighinn le bhith a’ cur Gàidhlig aig cridhe nan obrachaidhean aca.

“Is e nì reic gun choimeas a th’ anns a’ chànan do dh’Alba, aig a bheil tarraing cruinneil.

“Airson Gàidhlig fhàs, tha sinn a’ toirt air adhart Bile nan Cànanan Albannach gus solar foghlaim Gàidhlig a neartachadh agus a’ tasgadh £35.7 millean ann an iomairtean gus an cànan adhartachadh ann an 2025-26.”

Thuirt Raonaid Rosach, CEO Elevator: “Tha sinn a’ co-roinn creideas làidir ann an cur taic ri agus àrdachadh air dualchas is cultar Gàidhlig, agus le Cruthachadh Chothroman tha sinn air ar n-eòlas ùisneachadh ann an tarraing chom-pàirtichean co-obrachail còmhla gus an luathaichear as fheàrr air a stiùireadh a dh’aon ghnothaich leis a’ choimhearsnachd, a lìbhrigeadh. 

"Tha sinn toilichte a bhith ag obair còmhla ri HIE agus Bòrd na Gàidhlig, le in-chur luachmhor bho Oilthigh Raibeart Gòrdain, Oilthigh Shrath Chluaidh agus Oilthigh Ghlaschu, agus a’ toirt taing don àireamh de ghnothachasan ionadail a tha air cuideachadh le urrasachd a thoirt a dh’ionnsaigh maoineachadh.”