Monthly Newsletter
Invest in West Lothian - October Newsletter
Welcome to the October edition of the Invest in West Lothian newsletter! In our newsletter, we will be sharing the latest news stories, funding opportunities, and events for businesses in West Lothian.
Here at Invest in West Lothian, we are committed to helping businesses in West Lothian grow by providing confidential and impartial advice, highlighting funding opportunities, and sharing helpful resources. We can help new and established businesses that are currently based in West Lothian, or are looking to relocate to the area. You can learn more about the support we offer by visiting www.investinwestlothian.com .
Celebrating Good News Stories in West Lothian
Nominations are Open for the West Lothian Business Excellence Awards 2026
West Lothian’s Business Excellence Awards are back!
Organised by the West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, these awards celebrate the outstanding achievements, innovation, and resilience of local businesses. The awards are a great opportunity to recognise your own achievements, or to nominate a local business that you admire.
Categories include:
- Micro & Small Business of the Year
- Medium & Large Business of the Year
- Environmental Champion
- Shona Sibbald Woman in Business
- Business Changemaker Under 30
- Community Impact
- Innovation Through Technology
- DYW Regional Employer
The nomination deadline has been extended to Friday, the 9th of October.
You can learn more and submit your nominations here.
Funding for Businesses in West Lothian
The Invest in West Lothian team have extensive experience of preparing funding packages for local businesses of all sizes. Each month, we will highlight a new funding opportunity that is currently available to eligible businesses in the area.
Energy Resilience Grant
It’s Scotland’s Climate Week! What better time to highlight our Energy Resilience Grant?!
With this exciting grant, eligible West Lothian businesses will receive up to £7.5k of funding to support them with their journey to net zero. Applicants must demonstrate how the funding will:
- Assist them with overcoming barriers in achieving emission reduction
- Help them implement new business processes that evidence a clear link to emissions reductions
- Implement strategic changes identified from consultancy support
- Allow them to promote their “green credentials”
- Support their business with pivoting into a new market within the net zero landscape
You can learn more and view the eligibility criteria here.
Upcoming Events
We are delighted to be hosting the following free events in October:
Building Better Businesses
Through real-life experiences and open discussion, attendees of this exciting panel event will hear how local organisations, including Edinburgh Instruments and Bladestar Renewables, are already using sustainability to reduce costs, strengthen customer relationships, win new work and prepare for future challenges. This is taking place on Thursday, the 8th of October, from 10:00am – 12:00pm, at the Edinburgh Instruments office in Livingston.
AI, SEO & the Future of Search
During this webinar, you'll discover how search is changing, explore emerging concepts such as Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), and learn practical ways to improve your visibility across both AI powered search engines and AI assistants. This is taking place on Tuesday, the 13th of October, from 10:00am – 12:00pm.
1:1 Marketing and Branding Surgery Sessions
We are offering eligible West Lothian businesses the opportunity to have a 1-hour virtual 1:1 Surgery Session with Marketing and Branding expert, Paul Hunter. During the session, you can ask any questions that you have about Marketing and Branding or discuss a specific challenge your business is facing. These appointments are booked on a flexible basis on a day and time that works for you.
1:1 Procurement Surgery Sessions
1:1 free virtual surgery sessions are also available to book with procurement expert, Mandy Millar, Owner of Millar Tender Solutions. These sessions have been created to help West Lothian business owners improve their understanding of the procurement process and improve their success rate with tender bids. Sessions last 1-hour and flexible appointments are available.
To learn more and book your free space at any of our events, please click here.
Jobs Fair
On Tuesday, the 6th of October, Access2Employment are hosting a Jobs Fair at Blackburn Partnership Centre. This is a great opportunity to meet local employers, learn more about the roles they are currently hiring for, and to access specialist careers support. Business Gateway West Lothian will also be in attendance to answer any questions attendees have about self-employment. This is taking place from 10:00am – 1:00pm and no pre-booking is required.
If you have any questions, please email access2employment@westlothian.gov.uk
If you have any questions about any of the topics covered, please email invest@westlothian.gov.uk .
Have a great month!