Glasgow-based brewery and restaurant entrepreneur Petra Wetzel has launched an investment fund called West Women to provide seed capital and financial assistance to emerging female entrepreneurs operating in Scotland’s food and drink industry.

With an initial £100,000 ready to invest, Wetzel — founder of the WEST Brewery, Bar & Restaurant in Glasgow Green’s iconic Templeton building — is already in talks with a number of food and drink operators and is convinced that many more female-led businesses could benefit from investment.

“The aim for West Women is to help more female entrepreneurs exploit the many opportunities that exist within our burgeoning food and drink sector,” said Wetzel.

“This is a sector I’ve operated in for over a decade and I’m getting fed up being the only woman in the room, or the token female speaker at business events.

“West Women will help other female-led businesses grow and develop their operations throughout Scotland and I am confident that the initial £100,000 fund will grow significantly over the years ahead as we reap the rewards of investment by a female entrepreneur in future generations of female entrepreneurs.

“And money is only one part of the West Women project … the other is helping with my ‘little black book’ and experience from female to female entrepreneur.

“I think that’s as important as the cash.”

Female entrepreneurs seeking funding from West Women should contact info@westbeer.com or call 0141 550 0135 (option 6).

WEST celebrated its 10th anniversary last month with the opening of a new £5 million brewery and £1 million Courtyard wedding venue.