Reviewing and evaluating the Unlocking Ambition programme

Hall Aitken reviewed the first phase of Unlocking Ambition and evaluated its second phase for Scottish Enterprise.

The programme was designed to support the development of an entrepreneurial culture across Scotland.

The £4 million Unlocking Ambition 1 programme was funded by the Scottish Government and managed and delivered by Scottish Enterprise and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. It supported 40 companies through masterclasses, advisory support and international journey opportunities, with 21 companies also eligible for grant funding of £25,000.

The subsequent £1.6 million Unlocking Ambition 2 programme supported another 40 companies. Support included access to the Unlocking Ambition Development Fund, wider business support and a programme of executive education.

Approach

Reviewing Unlocking Ambition 1. Hall Aitken surveyed all companies supported through the first programme, achieving a response rate of 83%. The team compared baseline information with the companies’ reported survey data and interviewed 20 companies to understand their progress since the support had ended.
Evaluating Unlocking Ambition 2. The team assessed the results of an online survey covering all 39 companies included in the second-phase research. Telephone interviews with 10 company contacts and four key stakeholders provided more detailed feedback on the programme and the experience of participants.
Examining the support provided. The evaluation considered a programme in which entrepreneurs were connected with experienced businesspeople to learn, build connections and explore new opportunities. All companies participating in Unlocking Ambition 2 accessed a £25,000 development grant to support growth projects, while 10 companies were competitively awarded a further £20,000 impact award.
Understanding progress and programme contribution. The research examined changes in company turnover, investment and resilience, alongside the contribution of the programme and the factors that supported or inhibited progress. The findings were used to identify potential improvements and inform the development of future support.

Outcomes

The review found that turnover, investment and resilience had increased among companies supported through Unlocking Ambition 1. Based on the evidence collected, £1.6 million of investment was attributed to companies’ involvement in the programme.

For Unlocking Ambition 2, the evaluation identified job creation and increased visibility for Scotland’s focus on the green economy as key benefits. Company data indicated that £952,234 could be attributed to companies’ involvement in Unlocking Ambition at that stage.

Of the participating companies, 34 reported that they were somewhat or significantly more resilient as a result of taking part, while 35 expressed an interest in joining an Unlocking Ambition Community Network.

The evaluation gave Scottish Enterprise evidence on the progress made by companies after the first programme ended and on the contribution of the second programme, including the factors supporting or inhibiting results and areas for improvement. The findings informed the design of session delivery for Unlocking Ambition 3 and contributed to the future development of Unlocking Ambition. They also supported Scottish Enterprise in reporting to the Scottish Government on the programme’s impact.