Highlands and Islands entrepreneurs win big at Regional EDGE awards

Following a successful pilot in 2025, Regional EDGE, the regional arm of Scottish EDGE, returned in 2026 to offer entrepreneurs from across the region the chance to pitch for a share of the £100,00 prize fund. Funds were allocated through a competitive process, which involved pitching to a panel of judges, and delivered in collaboration with Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE).

The awards ceremony took place at Inverness Creative Academy with Angus Campbell (Chair of HIE), Galen Fulford (Biomatrix Water Solutions), and Keith Wilcox (Lodestone Leashes) doing the honours as guest speakers. The event marks the first of four such awards ceremonies taking place across Highlands and Islands, Aberdeen, Tayside, and South of Scotland.

Of the ten shortlisted Highlands and Islands finalists, Working With Me and Loaf-The Peat Baker took home £10,000 for their workplace intelligence platform and sustainably-focused bakery. Taking home the £15,000 prizes were Dornoch Craft Vinegar, the Highlands’ first large-scale artisanal vinegar producer, and Feverfew Garden Company for its functional gardenwear.

The top prize of £50,000 was awarded to Highland Wood for handcrafted premium wooden garden planters made from sustainable Scottish timber.

As the regional top prize winner, Highland Wood will go on to compete against the leading businesses from the three other regions for an additional £50,000 through the Royal Bank of Scotland–supported Winner of Winners award. The final will take place in April, with the overall winner announced later that month. The award is part of Royal Bank of Scotland’s recently announced £1 million, three-year investment in Scottish EDGE.

As well as financial support, winners will also benefit from becoming EDGE Alumni, granting them access to a network of contacts and business acumen from Scotland’s biggest business funding competition.

Scottish Government committed to support the Regional EDGE competition for a further three years after the successful pilot in 2025. 

Chair of HIE, Angus Campbell, said:

“It was a great pleasure to meet the finalists in person and experience the passion and ambition each one brings to their own business idea. 

“While there can only be a limited number of winners on the day, all those who took part now have a place within a community of like-minded creative and enterprising people and that can only be a benefit going forward. 

“Likewise, the competition has enabled HIE and our partners to meet some of tomorrow’s innovators and play a part in helping them take the next step on their exciting business journey.”

Evelyn McDonald, CEO of Scottish EDGE said; “Regional EDGE is fast becoming an important part of supporting ambitious entrepreneurs across Scotland. By taking our competitive pitch format to different parts of the country, we’re able to back businesses with the potential to grow, create jobs and strengthen the economy.

This round’s first regional final in Inverness has highlighted the strength of entrepreneurial talent across the Highlands and Islands. We’re grateful to Highlands and Islands Enterprise for their support in making the awards possible and for helping us continue to champion the businesses building Scotland’s future.”

Scottish EDGE last month launched Round 27 of its country-wide funding competition, EDGE 27, with awards of up to £150,000 on offer. Applications will be accepted until 25th March via the Scottish EDGE website at www.scottishedge.com.

Photo - LtoR: Scott Smith (Highland Wood), Lynnsey Urquart & Jill Mcalpine (Work With Me), Chloe Plumstead & Rachel Eunson (FeverFew), Susan Wallace (LOAF), Maddy Norval (Dornoch Craft Vinegar)