The bank has developed a crowdfunding programme called “Back Her Business” in partnership with established provider Crowdfunder, as part of its wider ambition to reduce the gender gap when it comes to entrepreneurship.

Crowdfunder is providing infrastructure and access to its wider network of partners and entrepreneurs, with the bank acting as a connector and enabler.

Though most of the funding will come from ‘the crowd’, the bank will provide a top-up in funding of £1 million per year across the UK and will be offering up to 50 per cent of an individual’s fundraising target (capped at £5,000) for certain successful projects.

Instead of equity crowdfunding, the initiative will be donation- and reward-based, with funders being given a discount towards products or services in return for their donation in some instances.

Launched in Aberdeen in spring, the first event in Edinburgh will take place on Wednesday 24 July at the bank’s 36 St Andrew Square office.

Malcolm Buchanan, chair of Royal Bank of Scotland’s Scotland Board, said: “Providing support to all businesses throughout Scotland is a key priority for us at Royal Bank of Scotland. I know from the work we do with entrepreneurs in our Scottish Entrepreneur Accelerator Hubs and through our female business leaders and supporters, that there is a wealth of female entrepreneurs and business owners who are really driving ambition and change in Scotland.

“We collaborate regularly with organisations such as Women Enterprise Scotland, Scottish Women in Technology, Women in Agriculture, Radiant & Brighter, Scottish Enterprise, universities, Scottish Edge, Converge and Elevator to name but a few and I see women with drive, passion and courage to go it alone and start their own business. The time couldn’t be more apt for us to really mobilise this energy and make some meaningful changes.

“The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Back Her Business programme will help make some of that change happen.”

Fiona Macpherson, business growth enabler at RBS, will host the Edinburgh event, where the bank’s head of business development for business banking, Paula Ritchie, will present.

Ms Ritchie said: “This is a great opportunity for female entrepreneurs at all stages of business development to meet, share, learn and help find the funding to take the idea or business to the next level and we welcome anyone to attend.”