20 high-growth regional businesses share £400,000 in Scottish funding contest
“Regional Edge has proved itself to be an essential part of our national entrepreneurial ecosystem” – Evelyn McDonald, Scottish Edge CEO
Twenty high-growth Scottish businesses will share in a £400,000 prize pot after winning the latest round of a national business funding competition.
The Regional Edge contest winners include Highland Wood from Inverness, Aberdeen-based Aqura Systems, Gowaan Bike Club CIC from Innerleithen and Arbroath-based Umbra Dynamics. They each take home £50,000 and now have the chance to compete for an additional £50,000 in the Royal Bank of Scotland-supported “winner of winners” award, to be announced next month.
Following a successful pilot in 2025, Regional Edge returned this year to offer businesses in Aberdeen, Tayside, the Highlands and Islands and the south of Scotland the chance to pitch for funding of up to £50,000.
Of the 40 shortlisted finalists, BlazeBalm from Newton Stewart, Real-E-Racing from Kelso, Aberdeen-based Hey Joey, Annie’s German Bakery based in Portlethen, Dornoch Craft Vinegar, Orkney’s Feverfew Garden Company, Glenfarg-based Arngask Home Farm, and The Tuskers of Perth took home prizes of £15,000 at their finals for businesses ranging from online support for neurodivergent families to an innovative wildfire protection balm.
Eight further entrepreneurs were awarded £10,000 including Multiply Technology from Hawick, Aberdeen’s Cask Ventures, Loaf-The Peat Baker from Thurso and Tayside’s Seadyes.
Funds were allocated through a regional competitive process, which involved pitching to a panel of judges and delivered in collaboration with local partners Opportunity North East, Elevator and GrowBiz, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise.
Awards ceremonies took place throughout March in each region, with keynote speakers in attendance including previous Scottish Edge competition winners.
Evelyn McDonald, chief executive of Scottish Edge, said: “Regional Edge has proved itself to be an essential part of our national entrepreneurial ecosystem. Taking our competitive pitch format to all corners of Scotland has enabled us to support businesses not only in achieving transformative growth but also playing an essential role in building a thriving Scottish economy.
“Thanks to the generosity of our delivery partners and the Scottish Government we’ve once again been able to provide an additional platform to showcase the exceptional entrepreneurial talent across four regions.”
Gordon Hector, co-chief executive of GrowBiz, said: “These awards are a testament to entrepreneurs in Tayside - with such a range of businesses, products and ideas on show. With entries from food, tech, wellbeing and more, Regional Edge captured the diversity of our economy.
Our model is all about giving people the support and confidence to start, run and grow businesses, and we hope Edge inspires more people to look at setting up. We’re looking forward to seeing what the winners do next - and no doubt future rounds of Edge for Tayside.”
Jane Morrison-Ross, chief executive of South of Scotland Enterprise, added: “Regional Edge is a powerful platform for showcasing the innovation thriving across Scotland’s regions. For the south of Scotland, this support is essential - it strengthens our entrepreneurial ecosystem and backs the high‑growth start‑ups shaping our future.
“The final has been a fantastic display of the bold ideas and ambition driving our region forward, highlighting the immense potential we have across the south.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.