SCOTLAND’S only pitch competition for women-led companies has announced 16 semi-finalists.

Among those heading to the AccelerateHER semi-finals later this month are Jura-based gin distillery Lussa Drinks Company, Edinburgh-based portable shelters specialist Packashak and performance sportswear firm Findra.

The competition, which offers a prize worth £23,000, is run by Investing Women, Scotland’s first and only female angel investor group, and received more than 100 entries from start-up and established businesses across Scotland.

“The number of entries we received is unprecedented and is clear evidence of the growth potential and ambition of women entrepreneurs in Scotland,” said Investing Women chief executive, Jackie Waring. “The quality of the entrepreneurs behind these varied and exciting businesses is outstanding.”

Other semi-finalists include award-winning bespoke and contemporary kilt designer Siobhan Mackenzie, 23, who is based in Glasgow and set up her business five months after graduating with a first class honours degree in fashion design and production.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to pitch your business and meet other women in business,” Ms Mackenzie said. “[Winning] would allow me to develop my ready-to-wear collection and exhibit at trade shows – just to take a stand at these is very expensive. This would help me make that vital next step to get orders into bigger retailers.”

Dundee-based Vivomotion makes science animations to help explain complex subjects and was set up by scientist Mhairi Towler after spotting a gap in the market.

“It will be a great platform to help promote what we do, but also a good celebration of the top female talent in Scotland,” said Ms Towler, 41.

If successful, the company would invest the prize money in developing new products including e-books, and a feasibility study for potential new premises.

The eventual winner will receive a £5,000 cash prize, an accountancy support package from AccelerateHER sponsor Chiene + Tait (worth a total of £18,000) plus legal and mentoring assistance from female business angels.

On 24 February, a judging panel at Napier University’s Business School will select six of the 16 to go forward to the competition finals at Investing Women’s first ever Ambition & Growth Conference, being held on 7-8 March at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.