Law firm extends support of Scottish EDGE and becomes first partner to sign ‘EDGE Pledge’

Law firm extends support of Scottish EDGE and becomes first partner to sign 'EDGE Pledge'
Law firm extends support of Scottish EDGE and becomes first partner to sign 'EDGE Pledge'

Scottish EDGE CEO Evelyn McDonald with Harper Macleod Partner Paula Skinner

Scottish law firm Harper Macleod has announced it is extending its support for Scottish EDGE, the funding competition for the country’s most ambitious entrepreneurs which will hold its latest final this week, for another year.

The firm, which has been a supporter of Scottish EDGE since it launched in 2012 as part of its extensive practice advising entrepreneurs and growing businesses, will be a Gold Partner EDGE in 2019.



Harper Macleod has also become the first organisation outwith past EDGE winners to sign the EDGE Pledge – a commitment to pay something back to the entrepreneurial community. Harper Macleod will donate a minimum of 5 per cent of the fees it receives from helping EDGE companies with future legal issues back to EDGE for funding other start-ups.

Paula Skinner, partner at Harper Macleod, said: “We are very proud to be part of the Scottish EDGE success story and it is great to be able to take this even further by making our own EDGE Pledge.

“The EDGE Pledge is a fantastic initiative which allows winners, past and future to contribute to Scottish EDGE. The culture of giving back with a purpose is such a fundamental part of modern business and we have decided to join in. It also means that anyone choosing to work with us will also be helping future entrepreneurs to start their journey, and that can only be good for the entire entrepreneurial community.”

The new comes shortly after Scottish EDGE announced another £1 million in funding for the current round, seeing it double its winner and finalist count and extend the next Live Final to two days – this Wednesday and Thursday.

Evelyn McDonald, CEO of Scottish EDGE, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Harper Macleod has renewed its sponsorship and it is not surprising that a business which has always gone the extra mile would come up with the idea of signing a company EDGE Pledge. More and more businesses are keen to give back to a community that has supported their own growth and success and ensure that Scottish EDGE is sustainable for many years to come.

“Harper Macleod has been supporting Scottish EDGE from the beginning of our journey to where we are today –with a plan to double the number of winners in our current round. We’re delighted to have them on board as we move into what we are sure will be another exciting and successful year for Scottish EDGE.”

Harper Macleod has also extended the exclusive packages of legal support it offers beyond EDGE winners to every business that participates in the competition, and to all of its alumni. These offers include the opportunity to attend free drop-in sessions in Glasgow and Edinburgh every month, and a 10% discount in fees for all winners, past and present.

Jo Nisbet, partner at Harper Macleod who advises many of the EDGE participants, added: “Over the years Scottish EDGE the success of the competition has surpassed all of our expectations. We’re delighted to extend our offers in recognition of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that has grown and grown and make packages of support available to all EDGE participants and alumni.”

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