The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)

North firms in chance to win £100k

- BY ERIKKA ASKELAND

Businesses in the north have been urged to apply for a chance to win up to £100,000 each in grants and loans.

The ninth round of the Scottish Government funded Scottish EDGE competitio­n opens for applicatio­ns from 1 August to 7 September.

Winners from the area in the last round included Phoenix Instinct from Nairn which received £50,000 for developing luggage solutions for wheelchair users. OTAQ from Oban was awarded £100,000 for developing­an innovative seal deterrent system for fish farms. And pre-trade technology project, Mime, was awarded £10,000 for software that guides first aiders in life saving situations.

They were among 22 promising entreprene­urs from all over Scotland who pitched their businesses to an expert panel of judges.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) provides support with business applicatio­ns and coaching in preparatio­n for pitches to the judging panel.

Donna Chisholm, HIE regional head of sectors, innovation and programmes, was one of the judges in the last round.

She said: “Ambitious entreprene­urship in the Highlands and Islands is not only growing, but reaching new heights.

“It’s this sort of initiative that strengthen­s our economy. We congratula­te the winners fromRound8. The standard of entries was exceptiona­lly high and businesses from the Highlands and Islands were fantastic.”

 ??  ?? Donna Chisholm
Donna Chisholm

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