CultureXcelerator 2025 - applications now open!

As a participant, your organisation will be carefully matched with a dedicated SIS Associate who will provide up to four days of tailored coaching, and strategic and practical advice to support you in navigating your current challenges. Eligibility requires a minimum of two years of trading.

You will benefit from:

• Expert guidance: Our SIS Associates are subject experts and can help you and your organisation navigate complex challenges.
• Tailored support: Your SIS Associate will work closely with you to develop a customised plan that addresses your specific needs.
• Immediate impact: Our hands-on approach ensures that you can implement actions right away.

Last year, we successfully supported 11 organisations from the Shetland Islands to the Scottish Borders demonstrating the programme's effectiveness in enhancing the capabilities of Scottish cultural enterprises.

Our 2023 cohort highlighted the impact of having fully funded, expert support from a dedicated associate. Hear what they said:

We try to make the application process as straightforward as possible. Applications for CultureXcelerator 2025 open on the 6th of February with applications due by the 7th of March.

We anticipate supporting a maximum of 10 organisations with an April start date and SIS Associate support completed by the end of October 2025.  Applicants should complete a short online application form by 7th of March.

An offline application form is available upon request. Please email Julie Kyle (julie@socialinvestmentscotland.com) to receive a copy.

All applications will be independently reviewed and potential organisations will be shortlisted. 

You’ll then be invited to a 30-40 minute online application discussion with our Lead SIS Associate Marcella Boyle to explore your application.

At the end of the shortlist process, we’ll confirm which organisations will join the cohort. We’ll then recommend, based on our experience, which SIS Associate will work with you. 

Depending on your needs, we may match you with a a second Associate (for example, a marketing and communications expert and a Board governance expert). Your four support days would then be split across these two Associates. We’ll carefully assess your needs and then make a recommendation to you.

Next, we will set up an initiation meeting (you and the SIS Associate) and the assignment (four days maximum) will then kick-off.

Based on our experience of cohort 1, typical assignments included:

• A review of Board governance including supporting the recruitment process for new Board Members
• Developing a strategic marketing and communications plan
• Development of a longer-term strategic plan, organisational learning and development (analysis and recommendations)
• Development of a social media strategy.  

CultureXcelerator offers you (and your organisation) an opportunity to bring in expert advice and, as importantly, SIS Associates who can actively help you meet the challenges of your organisation.  

Please complete the online application form here.

An offline application form is available upon request. Please email Julie Kyle (julie@socialinvestmentscotland.com) to receive a copy.

1. What is the eligibility criteria?

Eligibility requires a minimum of two years of trading. The programme is open to organisations headquartered in Scotland within the creative and cultural sectors.

2. I / We participated in the previous CultureXcelerator Programme, can our organisation apply again?

To open this opportunity to more organisations for support, previous participants are not invited to apply again.

3. I / We applied previously but were not accepted onto the CultureXcelerator Programme, can we apply again? 

Please do re-apply and include any organisational updates since your last application. 

4. How long is the application form?

The form should take less than 10mins to complete and must be completed in one sitting, we ask for basic info about your business background and revenue streams.

5. When will I/ we find out whether we have been accepted?

The deadline for applications is the 7th of March. We anticipate reviewing all applications by the 31st of March.  We’ll ask shortlisted organisations to meet with our lead Associate Marcella Boyle for a review meeting.  This is to confirm your organisational needs (from your application).  We’ll confirm the successful participants in early April.   

6. Who are the SIS Associates?

We have a team of expert associates with a range of expertise – you can view them here. 

7. How much time do I need to commit to the programme if I / we are accepted?

Successful applicants receive up to four days of fully funded expert support from SIS Associates within six months.

At the programme's start, your assigned SIS Associate(s) will work with you to define the key areas you would like to focus on together. We encourage monthly check-ins with your Associate(s). To make the most of the programme, we recommend preparing for these meetings in advance.

We understand that busy schedules can sometimes make it challenging to dedicate time to strategic initiatives. However, feedback from previous CultureXcelerator participants emphasises the importance of setting aside dedicated time to fully leverage the tailored business support available. To ensure you can make the most of the programme, we recommend applying only if you believe you can commit sufficient time for preparation, meetings and follow up on actions.