Year on year, the calibre of entrants for the WeDO Scotland Awards gets stronger and stronger and this year has been no exception.  The companies entering and being nominated are from a wider range of industry sectors than ever before – from drinks to photography, food to technology, consumer products to legal – it’s the most diverse spread we’ve ever had in the seven years our Awards have been running.

Our Judges have had a challenging time, deliberating over applications before selecting the semi-finalists.  Stuart Hunter, Chair of the Judging Panel commented:

“The judging process gives us all fascinating insight into some of Scotland’s leading entrepreneurs and their businesses.  It really is both inspiring and humbling to see the raft of successful businesses in Scotland and from so many different industry sectors.  The growth figures achieved by some of the semi-finalists is outstanding and it just goes to show that as a nation, Scotland continues to produce world class businesses and entrepreneurs. 

We would like to congratulate all of the semi-finalists on their achievements and wish them the very best of luck with the next stage in the process.  To those who didn’t make it through to the semi-finals, please don’t be disheartened, the competition has been extremely tough and we hope that you will all re-apply in 2018.”

The next stage of the process entails semi-finalists providing more detailed information about their businesses including their visions for the future, as well as submitting a video.  This gives the semi-finalists the opportunity to demonstrate how and why they are the best at what they do and to highlight their key achievements and learnings along the way.  Whilst this may seem daunting, it gives them the chance to look ‘on’ their businesses as well as working ‘in’ them … an all too common challenge faced by entrepreneurs regardless of sector.

 

Congratulations to all of our semi-finalists who are, in alphabetical order:

Alex Hewitt of Findr

Andrew Morrison of AM Bid Services

Barry Park of OEM Group

Bruce Walker of We Are The Future

Cherith Harrison of Cherith Harrison

Chris Smith of Gillespie Macandrew

Danny McIntyre of Primestaff

Eddie Robb of Make It Social

Gareth Biggarstaff of Be-IT Resourcing

Gary Burns of Cargoseat

Ian Pirrie of the Edinburgh School of Food & Wine

James Magee of Keystone Preservation

Marcus Pickering of Pickerings Gin

Michelle Wilkinson of The Very Lovely Sauce Company

Sonny Charles of Tipplebox

We wish you all the very best of luck with the next stage in the process.