Regional Edge returns with £400k funding available for 20 businesses

16th January 2026

Scottish EDGE is set to provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs living outside the central belt thanks to a second round of its successful Regional EDGE competition.

Backed by £400,000 of Scottish Government funding, the competition is open for applications from 9am on 14 January 2026.

To celebrate entrepreneurial talent in regions with historically lower levels of engagement with Scottish EDGE, Regional EDGE is inviting all start-ups with growth ambitions from Tayside, the North East, the Highlands and Islands and the South of Scotland to apply. Eligible businesses have the opportunity to win up to £50,000 in funding.

Now in its second year, Regional EDGE awards funding through a competitive Scottish EDGE process. The awards are managed by region-specific partners, including Opportunity North East (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire), Elevator and GrowBiz (Tayside), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). Each region will host its own final, selecting five winners per area. Awards in each region will consist of one top award of £50,000, two £15,000, and two £10,000 awards.

Scottish EDGE has awarded over £30m to 739 recipients across Scotland, including businesses such as Dundee based MedAscend, Aberdeenshire based InGlaze, Perthshire based Bookr, and Moray based Rescue Winch, all of whom have scaled operations since their win in the previous round of Regional EDGE.

Beyond the funding, winners join the EDGE alumni network, gaining exclusive access to expert business mentorship and a wide-reaching community of contacts. Additionally, every applicant receives professional feedback from an expert panel to help refine their business strategy.

Jennifer Craw MBE, CEO of Opportunity North East, said:



"We are pleased to be working with Scottish EDGE to bring Regional EDGE back to the north east in 2026. This is a great opportunity for founders to access funding to finance growth. I encourage all founders in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City who are eligible for Regional EDGE to apply."

Caroline Maclellan, senior innovation manager at HIE, said:

"Regional EDGE highlights the incredible innovation and entrepreneurial spirit thriving in our region. It offers ambitious entrepreneurs with crucial funding and support needed to bring their visions to life. We are proud to support these high-growth businesses as they contribute to a vibrant and sustainable economy. Working with our partners to deliver the Regional EDGE programme is a fantastic opportunity for rural entrepreneurs and we encourage anyone with big ambitions to apply and claim their share of the prize pot."

Gordon Hector, Co-CEO of Growbiz, said:

"Regional EDGE is a massive opportunity for businesses across Tayside - the chance to win funding, mentoring, and a higher profile too.

GrowBiz is thrilled to be delivering Regional EDGE for Tayside this year. Our team of advisers are rooted in Tayside, and we are all self-employed or run our own businesses. So we are passionate about helping people fulfil their ambitions to start, run and grow an enterprise.

Businesses are the lifeblood of Scotland's communities and economy, particularly in rural areas. We're looking forward to seeing applications, and help support Tayside's entrepreneurs to go on to great things."

Evelyn McDonald, CEO at EDGE, said:

"Now in its second year, the return of Regional EDGE competition demonstrates our commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship across Scotland. With continued support from the Scottish Government and our dedicated delivery partners, we are proud to again shine a spotlight on high-growth start-ups. Being able to provide critical funding and expert mentorship will help a new cohort of ambitious entrepreneurs make their businesses a success."

Entries for the Regional EDGE competition open on 14 January 2026 at 9:00am, followed by a virtual application workshop on 20th January to support prospective entrants. The application window remains open until 2:00pm on 11 February, with live pitching finals and awards following in each region between 12th to 26th March.

PHOTO
2025 Regional Edge winners (HIE's Caroline Maclellan front 2nd from left)

More information about the competition can be found at Scottish EDGE