Up to £100k Business Funding
Apply Before 14:00 on 11th September 2024
Applications are now open for the Scottish EDGE24 competition, which offers prizes of up to £100,000 (part grant/part loan) to businesses across Scotland – including the ‘Creative EDGE’ prize, which is open to games studios, independent developers and young games teams.
Better yet, the application process is very similar to that for the UK Games Fund, making it easier for games businesses to apply to both competitions.
Scottish EDGE is Scotland’s biggest business funding competition, offering grants and loans from £10,000 to £100,000 to help grow your startup, social enterprise or charity.
Creative Edge
The Creative EDGE award – supported by Creative UK – is a special award for Creative Sector businesses. The award carries a potential prize amount of £100,000 (30/70 grant/loan split), which is awarded to one Scottish EDGE finalist on the day of the final.
To be eligible for the Creative EDGE award, you must operate in one of the following sub-sectors:
- Advertising
- Architecture
- Visual art
- Craft
- Fashion and textiles
- Design
- Performing arts
- Music
- Photography
- Film and video
- Computer/Videogames
- Radio and TV
- Writing and publishing
- Heritage
- Software/electronic publishing
- Cultural education
Scottish Edge
Scottish EDGE is the main competition category. All companies that apply and meet the eligibility criteria will be entered into and assessed for the main Scottish EDGE competition.
If you have an Innovative, high-growth potential business then you could win up to £100,000 plus a business support package of support from Scottish EDGE.
The application process consists of each business completing the Scottish EDGE Online Application Form (available from the EDGE website) and producing a 3-minute video presentation.
The Scottish EDGE category has three assessment stages:
- Stage Assessment of Application and Video Presentation
- Live Semi-Final Presentation (3-min presentation followed by
13-minute Q&A) - Live Final Presentation (3-min presentation followed by
13-minute Q&A)
Other Categories
In addition to Creative EDGE, the competition offers a range of other categories which open the competition up to new businesses, pre-trading businesses, social enterprises, charities and more.
Young EDGE
Open to all businesses or sole-traders/partnerships whose Directors (excluding non-exec Directors) are all aged between 18-30 years old (ID will need to be provided to confirm).
Wild Card EDGE
Open to all businesses or sole-traders/partnerships who are pre-trading. Your business displays a highly innovative element around your product/service, your brand or you and your team.
STV Growth EDGE Award
STV Growth EDGE is a special award introduced in partnership with STV, offering support to one Scottish EDGE winning consumer-based product business.
The award comes in the form of £75,000 worth of STV advertising airtime. This award is in addition to your Scottish EDGE Award funding.
Circular Economy EDGE Award
Circular Economy EDGE is a special award category introduced with Zero Waste Scotland funding to encourage and back entrepreneurs who are exploring more circular ways of doing business.
A circular economy is one that’s sustainable, and as much as possible eliminates waste, everything has value and nothing is wasted. The award is a prize of up to £100,000 (30/70 grant/loan) for the top Circular business idea.
Scale EDGE award
Scale EDGE is supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland and offers support to one Scottish EDGE winning business with a strong focus on scale. The award carries a potential prize amount of £100,000 (30/70 grant/loan split), and includes access to a Royal Bank high-growth account manager and placement on one of Scale-Up Scotland’s growth programmes.
Pathways EDGE award
The Scottish Government supported Pathways EDGE award is a special award for the top female led business in the competition. The award carries a potential prize amount of £100,000 (30/70 grant/ loan split), which is awarded to one Scottish EDGE finalist on the day of the final.
Scottish EDGE24 Key Dates
The following dates provide a timeline of the Scottish EDGE24 competition
- Wed 14th Aug 2024 – Application window opens (9.00am)
- Wed 11th Sept 2024 -Application window closes at 14.00 (2.00pm)
- Mon 23rd – Fri 27th Sept 2024 – 1st Stage Assessments undertaken
- 1st Stage Assessment Results sent out by Wed 2nd Oct 2024
- Tues 22nd, Wed 23rd, Thu 24th, Tue 29th Wed 30th Oct 2024 – Scottish EDGE Semi-Finals
- Tues 5th, Wed 6th Nov – 2 x Young EDGE Final
- Tues 12th Nov 2024 – Wild EDGE Final
- Thurs 14th Nov 2024 – Social Enterprise EDGE Final
- Thurs 28th Nov 2024 – Scottish EDGE Final
- Evening of Wed 4th Dec 2024 – Awards Dinner
Find Out More & Apply
The Scottish EDGE website has a huge range of help, advice and support for companies interested in applying. Find out more and apply here.