East Linton-based Brose Oats has secured a contract with the Cress Company that will see its oat milk products available in specialist retailers including farm shops and delicatessens UK-wide.
The follows a major expansion by the business after Josh Barton, its founder and CEO, won the inaugural food and drink category at Scottish EDGE in November 2023. In addition to taking the top prize of £100,000, the entrepreneur also received a package of advisory services including support from competition sponsor Johnston Carmichael.
Speaking ahead of Round 23 of Scottish EDGE, which takes place this month and marks the 10th anniversary of the awards, Josh said: “We had been trying to get investment for our current scale-up for three years prior to Scottish EDGE, but the only interest was from people who wanted to acquire us. Winning the top prize allowed us to access asset finance funding and opportunities that we wouldn’t have had. Even if there had been interest from retailers and wholesalers, we wouldn’t have had the production in place to deliver.
“At the time my objective was simply to get the prize money, but the extensive application process really helped me to sharpen my business plan, forecasting and timeline, and consider the resources required to get me from where I was to where I wanted to be.
“Cash is king but the benefits of being a winner go beyond funding. The network, support and contacts that have become available are extraordinary – it is like becoming part of an elite club, a seal of approval that opens doors.”
In addition to securing national retail distribution, Brose Oats is building its food service network, supplying to Lomond Foods and gaining listings with the University of Edinburgh, Queen Margaret University, the University of Glasgow, and at Scottish Government sites. It is also served at Edinburgh’s five-star Balmoral Hotel.
Founded by the Hunter Foundation, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and private donors and launched in 2014, the Scottish EDGE funding competition identifies and supports Scotland’s innovative, high growth potential entrepreneurial talent. It is delivered twice annually and has supported 569 early-stage Scottish businesses with more than £25 million in award funding.
