![Elevator chief executive Gary McEwan and Malcolm Buchanan, managing director of Corporate and Commercial Banking in Scotland for RBS.](https://wpcluster.dctdigital.com/energyvoice/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/04/5add82032eaaa-559x372.jpg)
A total of 27 north-east contenders, ranging from dog walkers and hairdressers to energy service firms, are vying for honours in the 2018 Elevator Awards.
Applications were received for 10 award categories, including an inspirational mentor of the year gong for the first time.
Organised annually by Aberdeen-based Elevator, which works across Scotland to help facilitate the start-up and growth of new and existing firms, the awards honour the north-east’s most outstanding businesses, entrepreneurs and mentors, as well as innovation and community impact.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel on June 28.
Elevator chief executive Gary McEwan said: “Choosing just 27 finalists was a tough task. We are now looking forward to the awards ceremony in June to celebrate so many positive examples of business success here in the north-east.”
The Elevator Awards 2018 finalists are:
Most Promising New Business – sponsored by Business Gateway
The Alexander Smokery Ltd
DYNAMIX Modular
Lynwood Kennels
Business Success Under 3 Years – sponsored by Aberdein Considine
Fierce Beer
Beast Gear Limited
AV One Solutions
Business Success Over 3 Years – sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland
Zenith Energy
Eat on the Green
Motive Offshore Group
The Innovation Award – sponsored by Murgitroyd
RIGOCAL Engineering
Air Control Entech
Softcell Medical Ltd
Employer of the Year
J.Puddleducks Childcare
The Orthodontic Clinic
FortyTwo Studio
Spirit of Enterprise – sponsored by The Princes Trust
MGM Consultancy – Miles Murawiecki
Animal Obsessed – Amy Fergusson
Aberdeenshire Hypnotherapy – Emma Armes
Enterprising Communities Award – sponsored by Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council
Inspire
Charlie House
Gathimba Edwards Foundation
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by the University of Aberdeen Business School
Rebecca Carr
Kieran Hope
Jai Aenugu
Inspirational Mentor of the Year – sponsored by TechX at The Oil & Gas Technology Centre
Samantha Leys
Jamie Bennett
Alastair Donald