Since Scottish EDGE started in 2013, it has supported more than 400 early-stage Scottish businesses, with over £22m in award funding. So, it’s clear to see the far-reaching impact that EDGE is having on individuals and their businesses, and across the wider economy. EDGE21 officially came to a close at the end of May, with its celebratory awards dinner in Edinburgh.

It was particularly satisfying for my colleagues and I to witness some of our own clients winning funding, as well as many businesses that we supported at our pitch practice sessions. Our involvement with EDGE is an annual process, and as EDGE21 ends, preparation for EDGE22 begins and we can reflect on the impact that we as a firm have had on many of the winners, past and present.  

Our own pitch practice sessions means that our involvement with the country’s brightest and emerging entrepreneurs is an ongoing process, and not simply a one-off interaction.  

Our sessions bring together panels of experienced individuals and are offered to EDGE semi-finalists, giving them the chance to practice their pitch. Our panels provide honest feedback, but in a supportive way, and we know this approach has had huge impact on so many businesses, not just winners of EDGE, but also businesses that have gone onto develop their pitch and their business strategy, and secure funding from other sources.  

One winner that participated in our pitch practice sessions and walked away from EDGE21 with £100k was weeteq, a Glasgow based technology company providing embedded artificial intelligence solutions to accelerate the sustainable growth of smart technologies. Weeteq Founder, Taner Dosluoglu commented.

“The community support available to EDGE semi-finalists has been incredible. During the pitch practice sessions; the Johnston Carmichael team provided valuable feedback both for improving our pitch and our business strategy.”

One of our own clients was Feragaia, a premium, non-alcoholic spirit distilled in Fife.

Feragaia won £60,000 and Co-founder Bill Garnock commented;

“Scotland has always been famous for innovation and enterprise. Scottish Edge is a competition that identifies and supports this. To pick up an award from Sir Tom Hunter was amazing and I am delighted! This award will go far, increasing our operational capacity at our distillery in Fife, whilst helping us build the platform for an exciting new chapter as we continue our launch across the USA.”

The real hard work for many of these businesses starts now. As they learn from their experience of EDGE and the extensive ecosystem surrounding them, their focus now turns to developing their businesses further, and for many, the desire to grow and scale their business is the primary objective. We can’t wait to see the impact the winners from EDGE 21 will have in the future. We are delighted to have been part of the journey with so many businesses, and we look forward to our continued involvement with Scottish EDGE.