Five Ayrshire businesses will receive a share of a £120,000 prize fund through a new programme launched at the opening of Ayrshire Business Week 2026.
Ayrshire Regional EDGE will offer local entrepreneurs and start-ups access to funding, mentoring and business support, while creating a regional route into the national Scottish EDGE competition.
The programme is being delivered by Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Scottish EDGE, with the Chamber contributing £20,000 towards the prize fund.
Applications will open on Wednesday 13 January 2027, ahead of a final in March.
Business leaders, entrepreneurs and representatives from across Ayrshire attended the launch, where Scottish EDGE chief executive Evelyn McDonald discussed the competition’s work supporting innovative businesses with growth potential.
Claire Baird, chief executive of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, said the new programme would help local businesses develop their ideas and prepare for their next stage.
“Ayrshire has no shortage of ambition, talent and entrepreneurial potential. Ayrshire Regional EDGE will provide a local starting point, helping businesses develop their ideas, gain valuable insight and build the confidence needed to take the next step,” she said.
“This is more than a funding programme. It is a long-term investment in Ayrshire’s entrepreneurial future. By committing £20,000 and working in partnership with Scottish EDGE, we are creating new opportunities for ambitious businesses to start, scale and remain in Ayrshire.”
The initiative is the first Regional EDGE competition in Ayrshire and the first to be delivered in partnership with a Chamber of Commerce.
Evelyn McDonald said: “Scottish EDGE has supported many fantastic Ayrshire based businesses in the past but we know there are more out there who could benefit from the funding and support we can bring.”
She added that the Chamber’s network would help attract applications from across the region, with organisers looking forward to a “hotly contested final in March 2027”.
The launch also included a panel discussion featuring previous Scottish EDGE winners Johnny Manning of Connekt EV Charging, Saskia Jae Singer of Narture CIC and Ryan Leslie of Fuelfit.
They shared their experiences of the competition and how its funding had supported innovation, development and growth within their businesses.
Charandeep Singh BEM, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, attended the event and welcomed the new regional programme.
He said it would give ambitious founders access to funding, mentoring and support to help turn their ideas into successful businesses.