The awards recognise outstanding entrepreneurial talent and showcase some of Scotland’s brightest innovators, pioneering figures and innovators across a broad range of sectors.

Across seven categories – which include Entrepreneur of the Year, Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year, Rising Star of the Year and more – finalists will be recognised at the Summit Entrepreneurship Awards dinner, hosted at SWG3 in Glasgow.

Showcasing Entrepreneurship

More than 250 nominations were made for the awards, which required an extensive review to determine the final candidates in each of the seven categories.

Candidates will now take part in challenging judging days, due to take place on 30th October and 1st November in Glasgow. They will face a panel featuring some of Scotland’s most successful and recognised entrepreneurs who will decide the winners.

The judging panel will be chaired by Colette Grant, Grant Property, along with prominent figures such as Gareth Williams, Skyscanner; Mike Welch, Blackcircles; Julie Wilson, Cheeky Chompers; and Stuart Brown, Barclays.

Commenting on the announcement, Entrepreneurial Scotland Chief Executive, Sandy Kennedy, said: “Huge congratulations to all of the finalists. We received a phenomenal response to our call for nominations, the entrepreneurial talent for each category was truly impressive.

“We showcase and celebrate entrepreneurial leaders from all backgrounds across the public, private and social sectors and at every stage of growth. By increasing awareness of Scotland’s entrepreneurs, and highlighting their contribution to the economy and society, we aim to inspire others to take the next step to start or scale-up their own successful enterprises.”

The seven categories include Entrepreneur of the Year, Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year, Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Intrapreneur of the Year, Academic Entrepreneur of the Year, Rising Star of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

This Year’s Finalists

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Derek Pierce, J&D Pierce Contracts
• Chris Stewart, Chris Stewart Group
• Simon Hannah, Filshill

Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year

• Mike Wilson, Ecosse Subsea
• Neil Logan, Incremental Group
• Steven Gray, ROVOP

Social Entrepreneur of the Year

• Josh Littlejohn, Social Bite
• Celia Hodson, Hey Girls
• Alan Mahon, Brewgooder

Intrapreneur of the Year

• Robin Watson, Wood plc
• Mark Hunter, Sainsbury’s Bank
• Hugh Edmiston, The University of Edinburgh

Academic Entrepreneur of the Year

• Erin McGinley, E-mogis
• Isla Leslie, Estrele
• Lucy Sinclair, iBaller

Rising Star of the Year

• Martin McDonnell, Sublime Digital
• Kristian Tapaninaho, Ooni
• Michael Corrigan, Trtl

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

• Caroline Barelle, Elasmogen
• Cait Murray-Green, CuanTec
• Monika Tomecka, uFraction8 

Tickets for the 2018 Summit Entrepreneurship Awards dinner to be held at SWG3 in Glasgow are available at www.summitscot.com/buy-tickets