Two Scottish businesses are set to represent the country at the grand final of the Lloyds TSB Enterprise Awards in March, after winning the heat in Edinburgh yesterday.

Little Riot, an Edinburgh-based developer of a product called Pillow Talk, which networks couples who are in long distance relationships, was the winner in the Best Start-Up category, which recognises a business in its early stages.

Meanwhile, BrewDog plc, a Fraserburgh-based manufacturer of hand crafted artisanal beers for punks, took home the prize for Best Enterprise. The Best Enterprise award goes to the business judged to show real potential for growth over the next five years.

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James Watt of BrewDog plc said: “It’s a great honour to win this award; to be part of this event with so many good young businesses coming out of Scotland is great and gives us great hope for the future of the Scottish economy.

“Starting any business is tough – you get kicks and knocks, so you’ve got to have a strong level of confidence in yourself and your team, as well as the vision in what you’re doing. To go through the start-up phase, come out of it as a stable business and pick up this award as recognition for what we’ve done is great. The connection with Lloyds TSB will be really good and the legal advice that comes with the award will definitely come in handy.”

Joanna Montgomery, winner of the Best Start-Up and founder and director of Little Riot, said: “I’m really overwhelmed and excited. I wasn’t expecting to win, so it was a pleasant surprise to be announced as the winner.

“The press and PR surrounding a win like this will really benefit my business. My products are due to go on sale this summer, so winning something like this in the run up to the product launch is really good timing.”

Also recognised in the Scottish heat with a Highly Commended were Rebecca Torres Ltd and Youth Football Scotland Ltd for the skills and entrepreneurship its owners demonstrated.

As the winner of the Best Start-Up, Little Riot has secured a cash prize of £1,000, whilst the Best Enterprise winner, BrewDog will be taking home £5,000. Both winners will also benefit from two years’ mentoring from senior Lloyds Banking Group representatives and free legal advice from an independent specialist law firm.