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 developing an 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, boosts international trade and creates jobs.
“We congratulate the winners from Round 8. The standard of entries was exceptionally high and businesses from the Highlands and Islands were fantastic.
“It’s this sort of initiative that strengthens our economy, boosts international trade and creates jobs. As the next round opens we encourage more entrepreneurs to apply and we are ready to help them win.”
