Saltire Sentinel

Scottish EDGE Opens Round 28 with Record £200,000 Top Prize to Scale Scottish Startups

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 03:39:21 -0700

Applications are officially open for Scottish EDGE Round 28, Scotland’s flagship business funding competition. Early stage businesses, social enterprises, and high growth potential companies across Scotland have until the 2nd of September to apply for a share of a £1.5 million total prize fund.

Catalysing Scotland's Startup Ecosystem

The headline feature of this latest round is the introduction of the Royal Bank Accelerator EDGE Award, offering a £200,000 top prize. Supported by a £1 million, three year commitment from Royal Bank of Scotland, this award represents the single largest funding prize ever offered in a Scottish business pitching competition.

Since launching in 2014, Scottish EDGE has established itself as an essential pillar of Scotland’s economy, bridging the early stage equity gap by supplying non-dilutive risk capital in the form of grants and split grant and loan packages. The impact on the domestic business landscape has been substantial, with over £30 million directly awarded to almost 800 Scottish businesses.

Beyond capital, winning an EDGE award acts as a powerful vote of confidence that frequently unlocks follow on funding from private angel syndicates, venture capital and institutional bodies. Previous winners include notable Scottish success stories such as Ooni, Beauty Kitchen, Brewgooder, and IndiNature.

Alongside this new addition, the Scottish EDGE offers a diverse range of tailored streams designed to...Read More

Scotland's Next Generation Doesn't Lack Talent. It Lacks Belief.

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 01:44:19 -0700

Gen Z has inherited one of the most uncertain starts to adult life in recent memory. Having grown up through the aftermath of the financial crisis, a global pandemic, rising living costs and increasing economic uncertainty, many young people are entering adulthood carrying far more anxiety than optimism. Recent reporting by the BBC highlights growing concerns around the pressures facing young adults, from declining confidence and mental wellbeing to uncertainty about careers, housing and their future place in society.

The challenge for Scotland is not a shortage of talent. It is ensuring that talent believes it has somewhere to go. Across the country, employers continue to report skills shortages, while universities, colleges and enterprise agencies invest heavily in developing future entrepreneurs and business leaders. Yet many of these opportunities only become available once a young person has already decided on their career path or built enough confidence to put themselves forward.

For thousands of young Scots, that decision never comes.

SBN Connect was created to address this overlooked gap. Rather than focusing on the mechanics of starting a business or building a career, the initiative concentrates on something much more fundamental: self-belief. As the programme puts it, this is not a skills deficit; it is a confidence and exposure deficit. Young people cannot become what they cannot see, which is why relatable role models and meaningful connections matter so...Read More

Glasgow 2026 Proves Scotland Still Knows How to Deliver on the World Stage

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 02:17:05 -0700

When Glasgow stepped forward to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew, it faced an extraordinary challenge. With less than two years to prepare, organisers were tasked with delivering one of the world's largest multi-sport events using existing venues, a reduced budget and a new approach designed around sustainability rather than spectacle. For many, the question was not whether Scotland could host the Games, but whether the Commonwealth Games themselves still had a viable future.

Over eleven days of competition, Glasgow provided a compelling answer. The Games brought together around 3,000 athletes representing 74 nations and territories across ten sports, proving that world-class international events do not have to rely on billion-pound infrastructure projects or decades of planning to succeed. By making use of established venues including the Emirates Arena, Scotstoun Stadium and the OVO Hydro, Glasgow demonstrated that legacy facilities can continue delivering value long after the spotlight of a previous Games has faded.

The atmosphere throughout the city reflected that success. Crowds packed venues across the competition, with organisers reporting that approximately 87% of available tickets had been sold. Volunteers, local businesses and communities once again showed the warmth and hospitality that have become synonymous with major events hosted in Scotland, creating an experience that was praised for its energy, organisation and accessibility.

For Team Scotland, the Games produced plenty of memorable sporting moments. Olympic champion Duncan Scott continued to cement his place among Scotland's greatest swimmers, while Josh Kerr thrilled home supporters by claiming victory in the historic mile race....Read More

Scotland's Diverse Talent Takes Centre Stage at the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit & Awards 2026

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 01:45:33 -0700

From 26^th to 30^th of October 2026, the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit & Awards (SEMTSA) will bring its programme to four regions of Scotland before converging on Edinburgh for a national summit and the Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Awards gala on 29 October. Under the theme Navigating Disruption: All Scotland's Talent at the Helm, the event asks a pointed question: as automation, AI, and economic pressures reshape the world of work, who gets to steer, and who gets left behind?

Founded by DataKirk and this year's summit is chaired by Linda Scott, CEO of West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, SEMTSA has grown from 120 delegates in 2022 to a landmark 2025 event that drew 505 delegates, 61% of them women, alongside 41 speakers and 21 exhibitors, with a satisfaction rating of 4.3 out of 5 and a digital reach beyond 40,000. This year's edition is built to pass 1,000 attendees, drawing leaders from government, finance, energy, health, housing and technology.

The national summit pairs keynotes and panels with practical sessions on talent development, inclusive leadership, entrepreneurship, and workforce participation, deliberately putting the public, private, and third sectors in the same room. The aim is less to celebrate diversity in the abstract than to move it from conversation to boardroom practice, at a moment when persistent skills shortages have made inclusive hiring an economic necessity rather than a nicety.

The awards...Read More

Scottish Business Network Launches Global Partner Programme to Expand Strategic Support for High-Growth Firms

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:25:58 -0700

Scottish Business Network (SBN) has officially announced the launch of the SBN Global Partner Programme. Marking the first major strategic initiative under newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Scott Dalgleish, the programme will select four exclusive corporate partners to provide high-growth founders and senior executives with direct access to specialist commercial expertise.

Moving Beyond Traditional Sponsorship

Building on SBN's core foundation of facilitation and trust, the Global Partner Programme marks a deliberate shift away from passive logo placement towards deeply integrated advisory relationships. As Scottish organisations navigate international scaling, operational realignments, and new market entry, the initiative ensures trusted specialists are directly involved during critical decision-making phases.

Rather than broadcasting promotional noise, SBN is structuring a curated ecosystem where industry authority and proven track records serve as the primary criteria. Appointed partners will act as exclusive advisors within their respective disciplines, addressing operational hurdles for members while developing long-term commercial relationships across UK and international growth hubs.

Sector Exclusivity Across Four Core Disciplines

To maintain clear commercial focus and strong category alignment, SBN is structuring the initiative around four core business disciplines: Legal, Accountancy, HR, and Technology. A single organisation will be appointed to represent each specialism, providing members with targeted guidance spanning corporate structuring and international trade law, financial strategy and investment readiness, talent acquisition and workforce planning, and digital transformation.

Each selected corporate partner will hold total category...Read More

Scottish Business Network Appoints Scott Dalgleish as CEO to Drive Next Decade of Global Expansion

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 03:57:44 -0700

Scottish Business Network has officially appointed Scott Dalgleish as its new Chief Executive, marking a pivotal moment as the organisation celebrates its tenth anniversary. The appointment signals an ambitious new chapter focused on converting Scotland’s international diaspora into an active economic superpower.

Chairman of SBN Russell Dalgleish (left) and new CEO Scott Dalgleish (right)

A Decade of Vision and Continuity

The leadership transition comes at a historic milestone for Scottish Business Network. Scott Dalgleish was closely involved a decade ago when co-founders Christine Esson and Russell Dalgleish first conceived the idea for SBN. Returning to steer the organisation into its second decade, taking the reins as SBN reviews ten years of achievements while setting a bold strategic direction for the future.

Russell Dalgleish will remain in his role as Chairman, shifting his primary focus to strategic governance and ensuring the full implementation of the long term plan. The appointment has received widespread acclaim from SBN Ambassadors, members, and international partners, reflecting strong confidence in the organisation’s direction.

Mobilising an Economic Superpower

At the core of this new era is a fundamental shift in how Scotland engages with its international talent. Rather than treating the global community as a passive directory of contacts, SBN intends to actively mobilise global leaders, executives, and policy makers to create tangible commercial advantages for Scottish companies.

Reflecting on his appointment, Scott emphasised that Scotland’s primary economic asset is its people. Across key commercial hubs around the world, thousands of successful Scots remain...Read More

Thames Sunset Cruise Marks New Chapter for Scottish Business Network

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 05:30:57 -0700

Scottish Business Network gathered more than 100 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and international partners for an evening cruise along the River Thames on Thursday, 23 July. Setting sail from Festival Pier as the sun set over London, the landmark gathering provided a vibrant platform to celebrate ten years of global connectivity while officially announcing Scott Dalgleish as SBN's new Chief Executive Officer.

A Decade of Vision and New Leadership

Passing iconic landmarks of Central London, the evening carried special significance as SBN marks its tenth anniversary. SBN Chair Russell Dalgleish reflected on the growth of the network since its inception in 2016 alongside co-founder Christine Esson, contrasting early London gatherings with the dynamic, international community assembled on deck.

A central highlight of the night was the formal introduction of Scott Dalgleish as Chief Executive. Stepping into the role after being involved during SBN's founding a decade ago, Scott outlined an ambitious operational strategy focused on mobilising Scotland’s global diaspora into an active economic asset. The strategy aims to build direct, frictionless corridors into key growth hubs worldwide, ensuring Scottish founders can scale with confidence and dedicated backing. Russell Dalgleish will continue as Chair of SBN, focusing on strategic governance and board oversight to support the executive team in executing these plans.

The cruise offered a networking event away from the typical office setting and saw partners bring their members together on the night. This included Alex Nedelea, founder of LPV and Stephen Kinder of London Scottish Rugby. By gathering leaders from different backgrounds into a single shared space, the cruise demonstrated how commercial opportunities develop naturally through meaningful conversations rather than transactional card...Read More

AMS Global Group invests in Aberdeen with Barclays support

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 01:33:36 -0700

Aberdeen-based AMS Global Group has strengthened its long-term commitment to the North East of Scotland following the acquisition of new premises with financial support from Barclays.

Image caption: AMS Global’s existing premises, Palmerston Road, Aberdeen

The move marks an important milestone for the specialist marine surveying and safety services business, providing greater long-term security and a permanent platform from which to support its continued growth across the UK and international markets.

The funding package, which includes a Barclays Green Loan, will help finance the acquisition and redevelopment of the property. AMS Global Group plans to refurbish and enhance the premises to create a more sustainable, efficient and future-ready facility aligned with its long-term environmental and operational objectives.

Located within the North East Scotland Investment Zone, the acquisition reinforces AMS Global Group's commitment to Aberdeen as the strategic base for the next phase of its development. It also represents a further vote of confidence in the region's position as a centre for ambitious, internationally focused businesses.

Neil Carr, Managing Director of AMS Global Group, said, "This acquisition is an important milestone for AMS Global Group and reflects our confidence in Aberdeen as the right location for the next stage of our growth.

SBN on the Thames Returns for an Evening of Networking on London's Iconic River

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 03:32:54 -0700

The Scottish business community is set to return to one of London's most memorable networking experiences this summer as the Scottish Business Network hosts the latest edition of SBN on the Thames.

Taking place on Thursday July 23rd, the event will once again bring together Scottish entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals and supporters of Scottish enterprise for an evening of meaningful connections aboard a River Thames cruise.

Departing from Festival Pier, guests will enjoy a two-hour journey through the heart of the capital, combining spectacular views of London's famous riverside landmarks with the relaxed atmosphere that has become synonymous with SBN events.

More than a traditional networking evening, SBN on the Thames is designed to create opportunities for genuine conversation, collaboration and new business relationships. Against the backdrop of a summer sunset, attendees will have the chance to connect with fellow members of Scotland's thriving business community from across London, the wider UK and beyond.

The evening will also feature a series of short business showcases, giving individuals and organisations the opportunity to highlight the work they are doing and the impact they are making within the Scottish Business community. These concise presentations provide valuable insight into emerging businesses, innovative projects and opportunities for collaboration.

As Scotland's global business ecosystem continues to strengthen, events such as SBN on the Thames demonstrate the value of bringing people together in person. Whether...Read More

A Cathedral of Royalty vs The Modern Hype

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:00:25 -0700

There are stadiums, and then there is the Estadio Azteca. As England prepare to step onto that famous turf to face the host nation, the airwaves are predictably thick with the usual media frenzy. We are bombarded with data on high press metrics, sports science updates, and the tactical blueprints designed to finally bring football home. Yet, when you enter the Azteca, all that contemporary noise hits a concrete wall built from pure footballing romance.

For any Scottish football fan watching the knockout rounds unfold from afar, this fixture offers a brilliant contrast. It sets the relentless, hyper analysed weight of modern expectation against a colosseum that only answers to true majesty.

1. The Sacred Ground of Kings

The Azteca does not care about modern transfer values or social media impressions. This is the ultimate cathedral of the beautiful game, a towering bowl of concrete and passion that has witnessed the definitive moments of the sport. It remains the sacred ground where the two undisputed kings of football were formally crowned.

In 1970, it was the sun drenched stage where Pelé orchestrated the...Read More