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Appin Entrepreneurship Prize
Encouraging and supporting the development of entrepreneurial ideas and concepts.
The Appin Entrepreneurship Prize
Do you have a business idea, side hustle, or creative concept you’d like to explore?
This competition aims to encourage and support the development of entrepreneurial ideas and concepts among Edinburgh Napier students.
In the first stage of the competition, applicants are invited to submit a short application form outlining their business idea, the problem it solves, and who it is for. No business plan is required - just your idea and motivation.
A shortlist will then be selected by a panel of judges, and finalists will be invited to present their idea in a live pitch to expert judges at the Bright Red Triangle Start-up Studio.
Our business advisers will support participants throughout the process, helping you develop your idea and prepare your pitch for the final stage.
The winner will receive a £2,000 cash prize, along with 1:1 business support from Bright Red Triangle to help develop their venture.
Our previous winners have gained valuable experience, confidence, and support through this competition. You can explore their success stories on this page for inspiration.
Don’t miss your chance to develop your entrepreneurial skills, gain expert feedback, and potentially win a cash prize of £2,000.
If you’re an Edinburgh Napier student with an idea, no matter your subject area, we want to hear from you.
If you're not already a member of Bright Red Triangle, register now for free to access support and mentorship to perfect your pitch and develop your enterprise skills.
Applications are now open.
📅 Closing date: Sunday 25 May 2026 at 12 noon
The winners of the 2025 Appin Entrepreneurship Award – Emily Youngs, founder of WombWise, won £2,000. The judging panel also awarded the ‘One to Watch’ prize to Tiplo, who received £1,000 to support the development of their digital physiotherapy platform.
The winners of the 2024 Appin Entrepreneurship Award -
Shanley McLean won the Appin award for her business, Getta Grip Shin Shield - £2000
The judging Panel also awarded 2x One to watch awards giving two ideas £500:
- Alasdair Scott-Watson - Farmwise Analytics
- Michael Ife - MindWell
The winners of the 2023 Appin Entrepreneurship Award - Kitti Majorán, co-founder and managing director of EN-ABLE won £2000 & Matthew Akinpelu, director of ISCANET, who was recognised as ‘one to watch’ by the judging panel and was presented with a cash prize of £1,000 to help support the development of his business.
The winner of the 2022 Appin Entrepreneurship Award - Kael Begbie, with his business The Hoogie Man
Eligibility:
The competition is open to all Edinburgh Napier students, no matter your disipline of study who would like to explore the possibility or take the next steps in launching their business idea. Individuals and teams welcome
Application Deadline
📅 Closing date: Sunday 25 May 2026 at 12 noon
Shortlisting:
A group of judges will review the applications and select a shortlist of finalists.
Finalist Presentations:
The finalists will be invited to present their business idea to expert judges on the 16th June, 5-7pm at the Bright Red Triangle Start-up Studio. Support to develop your pitch will be provided by our business advisers in the lead up to the event to help you communicate your idea.
Winner Announcement:
The winner will be announced at the event and will receive a cash prize to support their business growth ambitions, as well as 1:1 business advice and support from Bright Red Triangle.
Resources to help you with your application can be found at the bottom of the page. Feel free to book time with one of our enterprise managers to support share your idea and get guidance on your application.
About the award.
Damien O'Looney and Bing Li, two trailblazing entrepreneurs who met whilst studying Entrepreneurship and Marketing at Edinburgh Napier, have recently bestowed an award to recognise Edinburgh Napier innovators and entrepreneurs.
The Appin Entrepreneurship award provides Edinburgh Napier with sustained ability to celebrate and recognise outstanding student and graduate entrepreneurs each year.
As young entrepreneurs Damien and Bing Co-founded UK-China Trading Ltd (UKCT), a product sourcing business in 2010, but they didn't stop there. Damien and Bing's entrepreneurial journey has seen the pair launch a number of successful businesses, including an English school in China, a property letting agency, a holiday letting agency, a Sportswear supplier Appin Sports for mass sports events and custom football apparel and a business which responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to source and supply PPE to the NHS and to various outlets internationally.
The Centre of Entrepreneurship was instrumental in providing Damien and Bing the necessary tools, knowledge and confidence to launch their entrepreneurial careers. They hope this award can support fledgling businesses with the cash they need to kickstart their business.
Award objectives.
- To celebrate and provide a £2,000 award to an early stage entrepreneur
- To encourage the cultivation of an entrepreneurial mindset
- To celebrate success that drives a university wide culture of innovation and entrepreneurship
Apply now.
The competition is open to all Edinburgh Napier students who would like to explore the possibility or take the next steps in launching their business idea.culture of innovation and entrepreneurship
What is a Value Propostion?
BRT Business Model Canvas
The Appin Entrepreneurship Awards
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