All the Highlands and Islands Regional EDGE winners. Picture: Gary Murison Photography<\/p>\n
AN Inverness business has scooped the top prize in an entrepreneurial-funding competition, with Thurso and Dornoch teams also scooping cash awards.<\/p>\n
After a successful pilot in 2025, the Highlands and Islands Regional EDGE awards return to offer entrepreneurs from across the region the chance to pitch to a panel of judges, for a share of \u00a3100,000.<\/p>\n
The awards ceremony took place at Inverness Creative Academy, as the first four such awards ceremonies taking place across Highlands and Islands, Aberdeen, Tayside and south of Scotland.<\/p>\n
Of the ten shortlisted Highlands and Islands finalists, Inverness-based Working With Me and Thurso\u2019s Loaf-The Peat Baker took home \u00a310,000 for their workplace intelligence platform and sustainably-focused bakery.<\/p>\n
Taking home the \u00a315,000 prizes were Dornoch Craft Vinegar, the Highlands\u2019 first large-scale artisanal vinegar producer and Orkney\u2019s Feverfew Garden Company for its functional gardenwear.<\/p>\n
Scott Smith of Highland Wood. Picture: Gary Murison Photography<\/p>\n
The top prize of \u00a350,000 was awarded to Inverness-based Highland Wood for handcrafted premium wooden garden planters made from sustainable Scottish timber.<\/p>\n
As the regional top prize winner, Highland Wood will go on to compete against businesses from the three other regions in April for an additional \u00a350,000 through the Royal Bank of Scotland\u2013supported Winner of Winners award.<\/p>\n
Winners will also benefit from becoming EDGE Alumni, granting them access to a network of contacts and business acumen.<\/p>\n
Chair of HIE, Angus Campbell, said: \u201cIt was a great pleasure to meet the finalists in person and experience the passion and ambition each one brings to their own business idea.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cLikewise, the competition has enabled HIE and our partners to meet some of tomorrow\u2019s innovators and play a part in helping them take the next step on their exciting business journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lynnsey Urquart and Jill Mcalpine of Work With Me and Angus Campebell of HIE. Picture: Gary Murison Photography<\/p>\n
Evelyn McDonald, CEO of Scottish EDGE said: \u201cRegional 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\u2019re able to back businesses with the potential to grow, create jobs and strengthen the economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis round\u2019s first regional final in Inverness has highlighted the strength of entrepreneurial talent across the Highlands and Islands. We\u2019re grateful to Highlands and Islands Enterprise for their support in making the awards possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scottish EDGE has also launched their country-wide funding competition, EDGE 27, with awards of up to \u00a3150,000 on offer. Applications close on March 25.<\/p>\n
Susan Wallace of Loaf-The Peat Baker and Angus Campbell of HIE. Picture: Gary Murison Photography<\/p>\n