Ten-year partnership provides the edge for Scottish entrepreneurs

Harper Macleod and Scottish EDGE supporting early-stage businesses

Leading independent law firm Harper Macleod has extended its partnership with Scottish EDGE, Scotland’s largest competition for early-stage businesses.

Now entering its tenth year, the partnership has helped to support 100s of young and growing Scottish businesses.

Harper Macleod has been involved with Scottish EDGE since its inception, advising on the set up of the competition and being a key partner over the last 10 years.

Scottish EDGE is Scotland’s largest business competition. It’s 23rd funding round opens for applications in January 2024.

Since Scottish EDGE’s inception, it has supported nearly 575 businesses and awarded more than £23m in funding, which has helped to create nearly 3,300 extra jobs and more than £625m in additional turnover.

Evelyn McDonald, chief executive of Scottish EDGE, said: “The support of Harper Macleod, alongside our other partners, is vital and allows us to continue to nurture and support hundreds of businesses across Scotland as they create new jobs and contribute to the Scottish economy.

“The partnership delivers real impact not only to EDGE as an organisation, but to the businesses and individuals who are awarded funding. We’ve seen time and time again how EDGE funding has been the catalyst for growth and change, which wouldn’t have been possible without our supporters.”

Jo Nisbet, a corporate partner at Harper Macleod, said: “Our partnership with Scottish EDGE is extremely important to us, knowing that we make a tangible difference to businesses at a crucial stage of their lifecycle.

“Scottish EDGE has an impact like no other business competition that goes beyond funding and extends to advice and support, coming from a deep understanding of what it takes to start and grow a successful business.”

Harper Macleod’s corporate, commercial & regulatory team advises on all aspects of corporate activity – from high-profile M&A to SME investment. It is one of Scotland’s largest with lawyers in Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Highlands, Islands and Moray.

It advises Scotland’s leading family-owned, employee-owned and owner-managed businesses, specialising in healthcare, energy, marine and rural economies, technology, and food & drink.

It is an expert adviser to entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses, particularly those seeking investment. It supports businesses across the UK and internationally with their M&A activity.

Recent analysis shows that the firm has increased its share of corporate transactions completed in Scotland, where it was the principal advisor. Harper Macleod was involved in 19% of all reported transactions in the last 12 months (153 transactions out of a total of 793 reported) compared to 13% the previous year (155 transactions out of a total of 1190 reported).