Strathclyde graduates win Young EDGE award funding for start up

Strathclyde Business School graduates Garance Locatelli and Mark Smith won a Young EDGE Award for their business at the latest Scottish EDGE Round 22 Award Ceremony. 

Their product – the MARKED: Wayfinding System, is a holistic navigation system that aims to redefine how people experience cycling and scooting in the city and was awarded funding of £10,000. 

Garance did the MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme while Mark did the MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology programme at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, and both graduated in 2023. The pair won funding as part of the Young EDGE category which supports companies whose Managing Directors are under 30 years old. 

Mark said, "Whilst studying at Strathclyde, we learned about the Scottish Edge competition. It was one of those goals I had set during my studies, thinking it would be amazing to compete one day. Winning on our first attempt was an incredible experience, and the support will be crucial in bringing our project onto the streets and challenging the status quo of 'one person - one car'.” 

A total of 38 Scottish businesses with high-growth potential received a much-needed injection of cash at the 22nd round of the Scottish EDGE Awards. MARKED was one of four businesses with a Strathclyde link to receive funding at this stage of the EDGE pitch competition and all four received support from Strathclyde Inspire, the University's flagship entrepreneurship programme which offers entrepreneurial training and opportunities to students, staff members and alumni. 

Taking place for the first time in Glasgow since 2019 and hosted by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the awards were attended by Simon Hannah in his first official engagement as Chair of the organisation, and Mark Scott, CEO of pet wellness brand Bella & Duke. 

Supported by The Hunter Foundation, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, Scottish EDGE has a key role to play in facilitating the nation’s economic growth. 

A full list of winners is available here https://www.scottishedge.com/news-database/edge22winners 

Published: 24 January 2024