Mara seaweed has the EDGE

The award recognises Mara’s ability to turn a low cost resource into a high value food - turning Scottish seaweed into a gourmet superfood. The company has five shake-on seasonings with distinctive, nutrition rich flavours: Kombu; Shony; Dulse; Pepper Dulse; and Smoked Applewood Dulse.

The Scottish EDGE (Encouraging Dynamic Growth Entrepreneurs) is a Dragon’s Den-style competition, offering over £5m of funding to ambitious and entrepreneurial schemes. It is led by a board of seasoned entrepreneurs, bankers and public sector supporters, including serial entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter, the Royal Bank of Scotland PLC and the Scottish Government.

MARA's Fiona Houton was delighted with the award and said: “Mara is the only company in the UK producing Scottish seaweed as a seasoning and I am delighted that we have received recognition for this. We are incredibly ambitious and this funding comes at the right time as we look east to the seaweed-eating countries and the award will enable us to enter Asian markets.”

Sir Tom Hunter said:“Entrepreneurial businesses are the lifeblood of Scotland and its economy. The Scottish EDGE fund is a fantastic boost for entrepreneurs in Scotland aiming for true high growth. Thanks to John Swinney who doubled the fund, £2 million is available to businesses who really do have the determination to build substantive entrepreneurial businesses here in Scotland.”