The Outsider Festival has joined up with The University of Edinburgh (EPIS) to offer two opportunities for entrepreneurs to pitch their original ideas regarding New Energy Solutions or Adventure Sports to a panel of highly experienced experts.

Chaired by Mick Jackson, a 'serial' entrepreneur who is now starting his eighth business and is also involved in venture philanthropy as the founder of Wildhearts Foundation.

Panelists Include

Maeve Gillies Multi-award winning entrepreneur and designer Maeve Gillies is also a professional musician, avid mountain climber and motorcyclist, and is currently training for her first triathlon.
Will Whitehorn Director of Virgin Galactic and spokesman for the UK's best-known entrepreneur; caretaker of the Virgin brand; space tourism expert.
Jeremy Leggettdescribed by Time Magazine as 'one of the key players in putting the climate issue on the world agenda.' Before setting up solarcentury he was an award-winning scientist, oil-industry consultant, and Greenpeace campaigner.

New Energy Solutions

Do you have a world class business idea that can contribute to the energy needs of the future? We are looking for companies that are actively raising capital to fund their development in the energy sector. The format is loosely based on the very popular BBC Dragons' Den, where entrepreneurs get a chance to pitch their idea to venture capitalists to seek their support. As Scotland catches some 40% of the wind hitting the coast of Europe the rugged terrain of Highland Region, where the competition will be judged as part of The Outsider Festival seems appropriate.

What Companies are the Dragons looking for?
Companies seeking first, second or third round funding for their energy company
at any level of financing.

The Prize
- £1000 cash prize
- The opportunity to meet energy entrepreneurs who’ve “made it happen” and potentially secure a route to funding.
- Plus business mentoring support from globalscot where appropriate.
- BLAS Limited the Edinburgh based Corporate Finance advisory firm, providing a full range of corporate finance services, will offer one full day Corporate Finance Advice valued at £2500.

The three finalists will be awarded a weekend pass to The Outsider Festival.

Will you be there?
ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED

Adventure Sports

Do you have an idea for the next big thing, the next gadget or product or service to help you go faster, higher, for longer or keep you drier? The adventure sports market is growing faster than ever and this creates lots of potential for new product and service ideas to supply this potentially lucrative market.

Entrepreneurs get a chance to pitch their idea to successful entrepreneurs to seek potential support and funding. And as Scotland rates one of the top destinations in the world for adventure sports, the ‘Dragons’ are getting out of the office and going to the Cairngorms National Park, to make the most of some of the UK's most glorious scenery, where the competition will be judged as part of The Outsider Festival.

What Ideas are the Dragons looking for?
Business ideas relating to extreme and adventure sports, including mountain biking, adventure racing, hiking, trail running, kayaking, climbing, surfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, wind sports and more.
If you think your idea has potential applications in the adventure sports sector then apply. This might include services as well as products. Your idea can be at any stage of development and applicants can be by teams or individuals.

The Prize
- £500 cash prize
- plus product design consultancy worth £1000 from Fearsomengine.
- plus business mentoring support from globalscot where appropriate.

The four finalists will be awarded a weekend pass to The Outsider Festival.

Fearsomengine will offer assistance tailored to the specific requirements of the competition winner, with professional input and expertise in an area of the design process that will be of most benefit
This could be:
- Concept generation and development
- Design for prototype
- Advice on correctly and accurately detailing a product for the chosen method of manufacture
- Assistance in sourcing and setup of a competent supply chain
- Detailed resource and project planning
- Ergonomics and user trialling
- Finite element analysis and support
- Appropriate material selection
Plus business mentoring support from globalscot where appropriate.

Are you in?
ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED

Sponsored by the University of Edinburgh (EPIS), Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative and Fearsomengine in association with Scottish Enterprise Energy & globalscot teams.