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How to Apply to EDGE28

Applications open: 5th August at 9am

Applications close: 2nd September at 2pm

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 & Eligibility 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 Assessment Critera can be found by clicking here.

Full Eligibility Criteria can be found by clicking here.

KEY DATES

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.

Scottish EDGE STV Ad

Competition Brochure

Read the 2026 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.