Overwhelming response to Scotland female entrepreneur competition

A competition for budding female entrepreneurs in Scotland has received an “overwhelming response”, with 16 companies making it through to the finals.

Over 100 start-ups and established businesses entered the competition, which was set up by AccelerateHER, a company that focuses on women’s business development. Six will be selected from the 16 finalists and will have the opportunity to attend angel entrepreneur group Investing Women’s Ambition and Growth Conference, which is set to take place in Edinburgh next month.

The winner of the competition will receive £5,000, legal and mentoring from female business angels and an accountancy support package from Edinburgh-based chartered accountants Chiene + Tait.

Outstanding

The conference will also enable successful female angel investors and fledgling businesses to have access to advice clinics, masterclasses and listen to talks from professional entrepreneurs and investors.

Investing Women Chief Executive Officer Jackie Waring said that the number of entrants for the competition is “unprecedented” and is “clear evidence of the growth potential and ambition of women entrepreneurs in Scotland.”

She described the quality of the entrepreneurs running the variety of exciting businesses as “outstanding.”

“In these days of frequent job loss and cut-back announcements, it is refreshing to see so many young businesses at the other end of the entrepreneurship cycle led by inspirational women awash with ideas, many of whom will create jobs and generate wealth in local communities,” she said.

Challenge

Chiene + Tait Entrepreneurial Partner Neil Norman said that judging the high-quality entries received was a “challenge”, but added that it has helped to prove Scotland’s reputation as “a world leader in entrepreneurship.”

The winner of the competition will be announced by the Scottish Government’s Minister for Youth and Women's Employment Annabelle Ewing, MSP, on 7th March at Edinburgh Castle.