It was a privilege for Talking Medicines to attend the Promoting Women-Led Businesses to Export Roundtable on 1st May 2025, hosted by the Scotland Office and led by Kirsty McNeill MP. Our Co-Founder, COO & CDO, Elizabeth Fairley, proudly represented the company at this important session, which brought together a dynamic group of founders, leaders, and change makers to explore the challenges and opportunities facing women-led businesses—particularly around access to finance and scaling internationally.
Elizabeth and Talking Medicines were honoured to contribute to the discussion, helping to shape meaningful dialogue around three key themes: finance, export readiness, and the barriers that still stand in the way of growth for women-led enterprises.
Access to Finance: Speaking the Same Language
One of the most prominent themes was the need to improve access to finance for women-led businesses in Scotland. A common challenge lies in the language and structures around investment—terms like “Seed,” “Series A,” and “scale-up” are not always clearly defined or consistently applied, creating confusion for both investors and entrepreneurs.
Education and alignment are essential—not only for those seeking investment but also for those providing it. By working together to develop shared understanding and transparent pathways, we can better support Scotland’s scaling companies and unlock the potential of a more inclusive, thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Women Led Business Roundtable
Building Export Readiness from the Start
When it comes to exporting, early engagement is key. Businesses that invest in building international connections well before market entry are better equipped to navigate the complexities of global expansion.
Programmes supported by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and Scottish Development International (SDI) play a vital role in this journey. These initiatives offer access to global networks, market intelligence, mentorship, and trade missions—all crucial for overcoming logistical, regulatory, and cultural hurdles.
It’s also important to define what “growth” means—whether that’s revenue, market reach, innovation, job creation, or investment—and ensure that support structures are aligned with the varied ambitions of women-led businesses.
Embracing Technology and Confidence to Scale
Technology, particularly AI, is transforming the way businesses scale. From market analysis to operational efficiency, tech tools are helping companies move faster and with more agility. But the journey to scale isn’t just about tech—it’s also about mindset.
Confidence, adaptability, and visibility matter. The presence of mentors and role models makes a measurable difference. As the saying goes, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” When women see others who have navigated the path to success, it builds belief, resilience, and momentum.
By fostering community, championing visibility, and embracing innovation, we can move from ambition to action—creating tangible change for the next generation of women-led businesses.
Thank you to all who made the roundtable such a valuable and inspiring session. Talking Medicines is especially grateful for the opportunity to engage with so many talented women who are driving economic growth across Scotland. It was an honour for our Co-Founder, COO & CDO, Elizabeth Fairley, to take part in these important conversations and to contribute to shaping a more inclusive and globally connected future for women-led businesses.
We’re also thankful for the kind invitation to join the upcoming Ministerial Trade Mission to Spain in June 2025—an exciting opportunity to further support the international ambitions of Scottish innovators.
By working together, to make positive, impactful change.
