UHI Business Competition 2026 winners announced

Aspiring entrepreneurs from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have been celebrated for their innovative business ideas at the 2026 UHI Business Competition.

Now in its 20th year, the annual competition showcases the entrepreneurial talent of UHI students, staff and community members. This year’s milestone event attracted a record 154 entries, highlighting growing ambition and enterprise across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire.

An awards ceremony was held on Wednesday 29 April at UHI Inverness, where 13 finalists were recognised. Prizes were sponsored by industry partners, who also support participants to develop their business ideas.

The overall winner was Maria Makarova from Forres, who received the £1,000 top prize along with accountancy and legal support packages from Harper Macleod LLP and Johnston Carmichael. Her business, Tailo.dog, is a platform that helps owners understand their dogs better and tackles unwanted behaviours. Using real-time analysis of stress and communication signals, Tailo provides personalised training programmes developed with professional behaviourists.

Maria said:

“Tailo is delighted to win the top prize. This is the first prize we have ever won, but it won’t be the last! The whole process, from application to pitch to awards, was really smooth and easy to engage with. The communication and support I received from everyone involved were superb.

“We will spend the prize money on improving the experience for our users, and the legal support package will help with the preparation of our patent application.”

The total prize pot this year was £10,500, with the following finalists each receiving awards from the competition sponsors:

• Best Social Impact Award (£1,000) - sponsored by Engineers and Scientists in Business Fellowship (ESBF)
  • Elliot Dunbar, from Helensburgh, HNC Computing student at UHI Argyll.
  • Business idea: CAST, a mental health–focused clothing brand raising awareness through fashion and an online store.
• Best Community Idea Award (£1,000) - sponsored by Whyte & Mackay
  • Andrew French from Lossiemouth, a UHI Moray staff member and BA (Hons) Interactive Media graduate.
  • Business idea: Moray Indie Games Hub, supporting indie developers across the Highlands and Moray.
• Best Culture and Environment Award (£1,000) - sponsored by Highlands and Islands Enterprise
  • Silvia Jost, a UHI Argyll staff member, based at Lochgilphead Learning Centre.
  • Business idea: an off-grid wood-fired barrel sauna experience on Loch Fyne promoting wellbeing in nature.
• Most Developed Innovation Award (£1,000) - sponsored by ESBF
  • Aaron Stevens from Thurso, a BSc (Hons) Applied Software student at UHI Inverness
  • Business idea: a fantasy role-playing game focused on immersive storytelling and world-building.
• Best Tech Innovation Award (£1,000) - sponsored by Techscaler
  • Nathan Thomson from Perth.
  • Business idea: Clinical Audit Compass. A digital platform helping healthcare professionals securely document clinical practice, audits, CPD, reflections and professional development in one structured system to support governance, appraisal, revalidation and patient safety.
• Best Student Award (£1,000) - sponsored by UHI
  • Charlotte Usher from Forres, MSc Psychology Conversion student at UHI Inverness.
  • Business idea: Carbie Classes, helping people overcome anxiety around car ownership.
• Best Computing Student Award (£1,000) - sponsored by ESBF
  • Jordan Wilkie, an HND Computer Science student at UHI Perth.
  • Business idea: StudyMate, an AI-powered study assistant.
• Best Commercial Idea Award (£1,000) - sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland
  • Samantha Murray, a BA (Hons) Equine Business Management student at UHI North, West and Hebrides, and runs Highland Equine Transportation & Services, based in Inverness.
  • Business idea: improved equine transport solutions focused on welfare.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Award (£500) - sponsored by WePurpose Technology
  • Erin Kemp from Kirkwall, an HNC Business student at UHI Orkney.
  • Business idea: Booty Barrier, a reusable toilet seat cover improving hygiene and confidence.
• Social Enterprise Award (£500) - sponsored by Silver Sponsors
  • Ruth MacIsaac, from Eriskay in South Uist, studying BA (Hons) Business and Management online with UHI North, West and Hebrides.
  • Business idea: a women-led social enterprise in South Uist focused on upcycling textiles and flexible community employment.
• Best Researched Award (£500) - sponsored by Silver Sponsors
  • Peter Noble from Invergordon, a member of staff at UHI North, West and Hebrides, MA Music and the Environment graduate, and currently studying for his PhD with UHI Shetland.
  • Business idea: an interactive digital training tool improving workplace learning.
• Information Technology Package (worth £1,000) - sponsored by WePurpose Technology
  • Victoria MacDonald, from Inverness and studying HNC Social Sciences online with UHI North, West and Hebrides.
  • Business idea: a sustainable fashion app linking digital wardrobes with eco-friendly shopping.

Guests were welcomed by Professor Chris O’Neil, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI Inverness, who said:

“These are challenging but exciting times. An entrepreneurial spirit, combined with discipline and creativity, is how we will not only get by, but thrive. It’s inspiring to see people take ideas and turn them into real solutions. With such a strong increase in entries this year, it’s clear a new generation is stepping forward ready to shape what comes next.”

Keynote speaker Lesley McKenna, three-time Winter Olympian and Director of Cairngorm Mountain (Scotland), said:

“Playfulness and problem-solving are at the heart of creativity and innovation. Setbacks become learning opportunities, and you develop humility and appreciation for others along the way. Whether as an athlete, coach or programme manager, I’ve learned that excellence is never individual – it’s built through collaboration, shared purpose and creating the right environment for people to take risks and do something exceptional together.”

Shane Healy, Distilling Director at Whyte & Mackay, sponsor of the Best Community Idea Award, and competition judge, added:

“This is a really special event. With a record number of entries this year, the standard has been phenomenal, and after 20 years the competition just keeps getting stronger. Everyone shortlisted should be very proud.”

Youth Entrepreneurship Award and Information Technology Package sponsor, David Massey, Managing Director of WePurpose Technology, said:

“Supporting the UHI Business Competition is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the next generation of entrepreneurial talent across the Highlands and Islands, and we are proud to have been sponsors of these awards for 20 years. The quality, creativity and ambition behind this year’s entries have been incredibly impressive, particularly from the young people recognised through the awards we are sponsoring this year. At WePurpose, we believe in creating opportunities and supporting people with the confidence to turn great ideas into meaningful businesses and careers.”

The competition, organised by the Centre for Living Sustainability at UHI Inverness, has been discovering and empowering aspiring entrepreneurs since 2006.

Professor Vicky Johnson, Director of the Centre for Living Sustainability closed the event by saying:

“Over 20 years, we’ve seen ideas grow into projects, businesses and lasting success. That impact is only possible through collaboration between sponsors, judges, staff and students. A special thank you to Helen Miller, whose work behind the scenes has been key to this year’s competition.”