Six entrepreneurs are through to the final of an £18,000 pitching competition organised by Scotland’s first female angel investment group.

Investing Women’s AccelerateHer event attracted more than 100 entries and the winner will be announced by Scottish Government Minister Annabelle Ewing at Edinburgh Castle on 7 March.

The final list comprises: online booking and management specialist Appointedd, Edinburgh-based French macaron maker Mademoiselle Macaron, personal attack alarm designer Pick Protection, online development leadership company InclusIQ, dementia app company MindMate, and Borders based FINDRA which designs performance lifestyle outdoor clothing.

The winner will receive vital assistance in taking their business idea to the next level with a package which includes a £5,000 cash prize, accountancy and legal support, and mentoring assistance from established business angels.

Sam McFarlane, business engagement manager at Napier University’s Bright Red Triangle, said: “It’s been a pleasure working with Investing Women to facilitate this stage of the AccelerateHER competition. The quality of the entries and the semi-finalists is testament to the ideas and talents of the female led businesses who entered and they are a credit to Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

The winner will be announced after the Ambition & Growth Conference at Dynamic Earth on 7 and 8 March which coincides with International Women’s Day. It brings together 200 emerging female-led businesses with angel investors who can provide financial investment and mentoring.

The conference includes a series of masterclasses, advice clinics and talks by leading entrepreneurs including founder of the world’s first female angel group Susan Preston, Scottish Enterprise chief executive officer Dr Lena Wilson, FanDuel executive vice president Lesley Eccles, Virgin StartUp managing director Mei Shui, Napier University principal, Professor Andrea Nolan, and a team from conference sponsor Standard Life, led by managing director of customer and marketing Stephen Ingledew.

Jackie Waring, chief executive of Investing Women, said: “The judges have a very difficult job ahead of them and the stage is set for our Ambition & Growth conference which celebrates female business achievement.”

 Photo: Jackie Waring (centre) with finalists