Do you think your business or business idea has what it takes to win a Dragons Den style enterprise competition? The HEAT 26 (Highlighting Entrepreneurship All Together) is accepting applications now from businesses less than two years old or for business ideas that haven’t started up yet.
Pitching to a panel of local entrepreneurs, the competition is looking for fresh ideas with potential for growth and innovation. Organised by Ceteris with support from Business Gateway Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling, any business or budding entrepreneur based in the Forth Valley can apply to take part. There are thousands of pounds worth of prizes to be won for the three best entrants.
Last year saw entrepreneurs from Falkirk sweep the board, with the top prize going to innovative neurodivergent mental health hub ExploreBuddy. Founded in 2025 it provides personalised support for neurodivergent individuals, their parents and carers in Scotland and across the UK.
Lucinda Wiley, Founder and CEO said: “Winning The HEAT 25 was a proud moment for ExploreBuddy. As a neurodivergent specialist company, we’re building a different kind of support – one shaped by collaboration and exploration of who you are, not the label you’ve been given. To have our approach recognised by the panel of judges was deeply encouraging, and we’re truly grateful for the opportunity to share our work within such an inspiring community.”
Maggie Gorman, Business Support and Development Director from Ceteris said: “We are so excited to launch HEAT 26 and can’t wait to hear from businesses and budding entrepreneurs. The final of the competition takes place during Forth Valley Business Week which is launching soon and is celebrating its 10th birthday. So, we’re aiming to make this year’s HEAT even bigger and better. Whatever your business, we want to hear all about it – in the past we have had winners from as broad a range of sectors as an ice cream parlour, a martial arts gym and aesthetics and beauty businesses.
“The Forth Valley is brimming with business ideas and applying is easy. With thousands of pounds worth of prizes up for grabs it’s also a great way to get practical support to get your business idea off the ground. We’ve already got a waiting list of new businesses wanting to enter so please get your applications in as soon as you can!”
For full details, visit the Ceteris website. Or to apply, just fill out this short application form here. Applications close on Monday, August 31 and the final will take place on Wednesday 16 September 2026.
