Scotland’s high-growth business potential was on full display yesterday (December 4) at the Royal Bank of Scotland Conference Centre, as the winners of Scottish EDGE Round 26 were announced, and a collective prize pot of £1.5 million was awarded.
A diverse group of startups and scale-ups, ranging from biotech innovators to sustainable manufacturers secured awards, with the coveted Scottish Enterprise supported Future EDGE award of £150,000 presented to Brigid Bio, a biotech spinout company pioneering the development of innovative immunotherapies for the treatment of life-threatening, drug-resistant fungal infections.
As the UK’s largest funding competition for high-growth businesses, Scottish EDGE has now supported 712 businesses, providing a platform for companies to scale, create jobs, and drive significant economic impact across the country.
Veteran awards categories also returned for the 26th round, with the £100,000 Scale EDGE Award, supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, going to FuelFit, who delivers over 3,500 fresh, accessible, and macro-balanced meals weekly direct to customers. Meanwhile, CAnswer BioSolutions, SEASAT, and Velocity Edge secured funding as the top £15,000 Young EDGE Winners, supported by Scottish Government, British Business Bank and Techscaler, respectively. A further seven young businesses received funding with support from Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Converge.
Those successful in Wild Card, which provides grants to pre-trading businesses, included clean hydrogen producing business Entropyst Ltd, who received the category’s top £15,000 award.
The STV supported award of £70,000 plus £75,000 worth of ad airtime was given to comfort, confidence and empowerment boosting business, Full Stop Period Wear. Meanwhile, Sabliere, producer of a premium 0.0% Champagne-style sparkling drink, emerged as winner of the Scottish Government backed Pathways category, winning £100,000.
Round 26 also saw the return of the £100,000 Circular Economy EDGE Award, which is supported by Zero Waste Scotland, and went to whisky cask repairer, Lowland Cooperage. Elsewhere, Fair Feast, a social enterprise that provides food banks with donations of venison, won £75,000 in the Social Enterprise category, supported by the Postcode Innovation Trust.
The Creative EDGE Award, facilitated by support from Creative UK, which champions, connects and promotes the development of the creative industries across the United Kingdom, gave a boost of £75,000 to inclusive clothing brand, Elansu Ltd.
The winners were joined by Richard Lochhead, Minister for Business and Employment, who delivered a special congratulatory message and acknowledged the vital role entrepreneurs play in shaping Scotland’s future economy.
Sir Tom Hunter of the Hunter Foundation said:
“To the disrupters, the risk takers, the economy builders – EDGE supports the next generation of those prepared to take the risk in building businesses that deliver for our economy and they all deserve our thanks, support and applause.”
Judith Cruickshank, MD Commercial Mid-Market at the Royal Bank of Scotland, said:
“Congratulations to Fuelfit and all the winners at this year’s EDGE Awards. Fuelfit is a great example of rapid growth, expanding fivefold in just the last 12 months.
“Our continued partnership with Scottish EDGE underlines the Royal Bank of Scotland’s commitment to growth and succeeding with customers. Each year we welcome the opportunity to celebrate innovative and bold Scottish success stories.”
Jane Martin Managing Director of Innovation and Investment at Scottish Enterprise said:
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“Through initiatives like Scottish EDGE we can support ambitious entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into scalable businesses ready to compete globally, create new jobs and deliver lasting impact. I congratulate all the successful award winners who really highlight the entrepreneurial talent that exists in Scotland and am proud that we have played a part in this great competition over many years.”
Evelyn McDonald, CEO of Scottish EDGE said:
“Emerging from our 26th round with such a strong cohort of new winners is testament to Scotland’s ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape. Each year, we witness remarkable ventures pushing boundaries, not only driving innovation, but shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking future. It’s a privilege to champion these visionaries as they turn bold ideas into lasting impact.”
