How to Apply
ROUND 23 is now CLOSED! Round 24 opens for application in July 2024.
You can only submit one application per round to be entered into the Scottish EDGE, Social Enterprise EDGE, Young EDGE, or Wild Card EDGE category, where eligibility permits. All applications must be submitted using the Scottish EDGE Online Application Portal.
PLEASE NOTE: No paper-based or email applications will be accepted.
OPTIONAL: Download a blank PRACTICE application to work on offline. Only online applications via the Application Portal will be accepted.
Assessment Criteria
Whilst the competition standard and level of expectation can often increase as you progress through the stages of the Scottish EDGE competition, the assessment criteria remains consistent across the 1st Stage assessments, the Semi-Final and the Final. Young EDGE also has the same assessment scoring process.
The assessment criteria across all rounds scores against the following key requirements:
Value Proposition
Team
Impact
Customer Focus
Business Growth
Utilisation of Funding
Expanded definitions of each critera can be found by clicking here.
EDGE23 KEY DATES
The following dates provide a timeline of Round 23 of the Scottish EDGE competition
Wednesday 7th February 2024 - Application window opens (9.00am)
Wednesday 6th March 2024 - Application window closes (2.00pm)
Monday 11th to Friday 15th March 2024 - 1st Stage Assessments undertaken
Wednesday 20th March 2024 - 1st Stage Assessment results released
Thursday 11th, Friday 12th, Tuesday 16th, 17th, 18th April 2024 - Scottish EDGE Semi-Finals
Tuesday 30th April 2024 - Social Enterprise EDGE Final
Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th April - Young EDGE Final
Friday 26th April 2024 - Wild Card EDGE Final
Thursday 9th & Friday 10th May 2024 - Scottish EDGE Final Days
Friday 24th May 2024 - Awards Ceremony
Scottish EDGE
For early-stage companies/social enterprises across all sectors, offering funding of up to £100,000 on a split grant/loan basis.
Young EDGE
For companies where all directors are under the age of 30 offering a grant only award of up to £15,000.
Wild Card EDGE
For pre-trading companies, sole-traders and partnerships, offering a grant-only award of up to £15,000.
Social Enterprise EDGE
For Social Enterprises who clearly demonstrate how their business enriches communities and makes a contribution to society.
Round 23 Application Workshop (Virtual)
Recorded - 21st February 2024
If you have any issues playing the video, watch on YouTube HERE
Application and Video Presentation Support Workshop:
This workshop details what makes for a strong Scottish EDGE application, what the judging panel look for when assessing your application and how to deliver a 3-minute video presentation.
The workshops is delivered by the Scottish EDGE team and could be the first step in your Scottish EDGE journey to winning funding of up to £100,000.
Round 23 Impact Workshop (Virtual)
Tuesday 27th February 2024
This workshop is run in conjunction with the experts at Zero Waste Scotland to offer advice around completing the Impact questions section of the Scottish EDGE application, with a particular focus on the Circular Economy questions.
The workshop will also help any business aspiring to win the special Circular Economy EDGE award by highlighting some key points that will help enable a business to stand out for its circular intentions.
Scottish EDGE STV Ad
Follow in the footsteps of our featured winners - &Munch, Bella & Duke, Freedom One Life and Molke - apply to Scottish EDGE Round 17 to win a share of our £1m prize pot.
They have the EDGE, have you?
Competition Brochure
Read the 2024 Competition Brochure for in-depth guidance on your application.
3-min Video Pitch
The video should be to the standard of that taken on a hand held mobile recording device or better – it is not necessary to pay for an external party to produce a professional video solely for this competition unless you really wish to do so. It is the content of the pitch which matters. We would encourage applicants to show their product or service in the 3 minute video as this often helps bring your offering to life for the judging panel during the assessment process.
YouTube is the preferred option for uploading video content and we would encourage applicants to amend their video to the unlisted option when uploading a video to YouTube (link below). The time limit for videos is 3 minutes maximum. Any video content beyond 3 minutes will not be viewed during assessments.
How to change video to Unlisted.
Once the video content has been uploaded to YouTube (or another preferred format i.e. Vimeo) then you must provide the full URL link on your Scottish EDGE Application where requested.
Please refer to the Scottish EDGE Competition Brochure for a more detailed breakdown.
Case Studies
OUR #EDGEAlumni group boasts some of Scotland’s truly great modern-day entrepreneurs.
Watch our video case studies for a flavour of their achievements and successes since delivering a winning pitch on the EDGE stage.
Enquiry Form
If you have any questions about your application, our categories, your eligibility or anything else, please use the contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Alternatively, email us directly at:
info@scottishedge.com
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am - 5pm