Grow your business

Whether you need strategic input into your business, practical support with your marketing and social media or an analysis of data, processes and services, the University of Stirling Management School is here for you. We support all stages of business growth, from entrepreneurial start-ups to well-established businesses, across the private, public and not-for-profit sector.

Be part of our growing network of businesses that are currently working with us to challenge existing barriers to growth, drive innovation and improve productivity. 

Help to Grow: Management Course

The University of Stirling – as a Small Business Charter accredited institution – is one of a select number of Scottish partners delivering the UK Government’s Help to Grow: Management Course.

The course is designed for SME senior managers seeking to boost their business’s performance, resilience and long-term growth. The cost to attend is 90% funded by the Government (company contribution of £750).

The course’s 12 modules are undertaken weekly alongside full-time work – through a combination of online sessions, face-to-face learning, peer support and mentoring. The in-depth high-quality curriculum will support you to build your capabilities in leadership, innovation, digital adoption, employee engagement, marketing, responsible business and financial management. By the end of the course you will develop a business growth plan specific to your SME.

Learn more and register for the Help to Grow: Management Course
Dr Kevin Campbell

Support from our staff

Grow your business by collaborating with our academic staff.  Not only will have access to the latest research, knowledge exchange and creativity, but we can help you explore potential funding/investment opportunities through such partnerships.

University of Stirling student Papoula Petri Romao

Support from our students

Through participation in applied consultancy projects, our students can provide you with research-based evidence to enable you to make future strategic business decisions. Alternatively, if you are exploring the prospect of growing your staff base but are unsure if now is the right time, then a student internship offers you the opportunity to identify the added value before committing to a permanent solution.

Entrepreneurial support

Jakob Siegert postgraduate student

Enterprise Programme

The Enterprise Programme supports students, staff and recent graduates to develop innovative business ideas and launch viable start-ups, as well as to build skills for the future world of work.

group of students talking

VIBES Awards

We are proud sponsors of the annual Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards. The awards aim to encourage the efficient use of resources, enhance the competitiveness of businesses, improve environmental performance, and support the wider goals of sustainable development including social benefits through community and staff involvement. The Management School sponsors the SME Management category at the Awards, recognising SMEs with the strategic vision and management systems that enable them to continuously improve their contribution to Scotland’s sustainable development.

Postgraduate student

HEAT Awards

The School supports the annual HEAT awards (Highlighting Entrepreneurship All Together), a “Dragons’ Den” style competition where Management School staff take on the role of one of the ‘dragons’, as well as provide follow-on support to the winners. The event is organised by Forth Valley area Business Gateways.

“My interactions with The University of Stirling have been very positive, the advice and guidance thus far has instilled confidence in both myself and my business concept, it has provided me with some clarity, direction and greater confidence to grow the business.” 

Karen Tully, KST Marketing

Get in touch

If you'd like to become involved with any of these opportunities, please contact us.