91视频网 Business Competition 2025 now open – with up to £8,500 up for grabs!
Aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to pitch their business ideas for a chance to win cash prizes and valuable support packages in the 2025 91视频网 Business Competition.
Open to all 91视频网 (91视频网) students and anyone over 16 living in Argyll and Bute, Highlands and Islands, Moray, or Perthshire. This annual competition, now in its 19th year, seeks to discover and support innovative business ideas, giving participants a strong start on their own entrepreneurial journeys.
Run by , the Highlands and Islands Hub for Enterprise and Innovation, the competition equips participants with essential entrepreneurial skills for work, life and self-employment. This year, a total prize fund of £8,500 is available, alongside support packages in accountancy, legal advice and information technology. Finalists will also receive invaluable feedback from leading regional business experts.
Last year’s top prize went to Keith Wilcox from Dufftown, who impressed judges with his paddleboard safety product company, ‘Lodestone Leashes’. Keith won £1,000 and a legal and accountancy package, sponsored by Harper Macleod LLP and Johnston Carmichael. The prize allowed Lodestone Leashes to attend several key paddle boarding events and secure its first sales of 100 patent-pending, automatic-release leashes. Keith shared:
“I'd highly recommend the 91视频网 Business Competition as a friendly, supportive, early step for any entrepreneur with an idea. The benefits extended far beyond the prize. We secured an Innovation Voucher with the Glasgow School of Art to develop our designs for large-scale production, along with support from Highland and Islands Enterprise, which is helping us to enter other key business competitions and move closer to being investor ready.”
Roz Thomas, Enterprise Lecturer and lead of the 91视频网 Business Competition, said:
“We recognise the importance of nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit and the potential for innovative ideas to drive economic growth. This competition is open to aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life, supports local talent and provides a platform for individuals to turn ideas into reality.
“It’s much more than just a competition; it's the opportunity to be part of a community that values creativity, collaboration and forward-thinking. If you have a business idea with potential to make a lasting impact, enter now!”
A range of cash prizes from £500 to £1,000 are on offer, thanks to sponsors including; , , , , at HIE, , and new 2025 sponsors and Social Media.
Rene Looper, Managing Director of Tuminds, said:
"We’re delighted to sponsor the 91视频网 Business Competition this year as it fits in well with our mission to help businesses achieve greatness! At Tuminds, we’re passionate about empowering businesses and helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. This competition is a fantastic opportunity to develop skills, gain recognition, and receive valuable support to realise ambitions. If you have an idea or a passion for entrepreneurship, I encourage you to enter!"
Alishia King, a Social Sciences student at 91视频网 Inverness, entered last year with her innovative solution to potholes, using a heated tar and old tyre mixture. She said:
“It was an amazing experience and learning process. If you strive and believe in yourself, nothing is impossible. The possibilities are endless.”
Entries close at noon on Wednesday 26 February 2025, and finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas at 91视频网 House on finals day, Wednesday 26 March 2025.
Dream it, pitch it, win it! To learn more and apply, visit the