Entering the Scottish EDGE has been one of the most valuable things we have done as a start-up.
Not because we won (we didn’t), but because Scotland’s largest investment competition helped us ask better questions, sharpen our business model and become much clearer about what Golf Sherpa can become.
We entered just as Golf Sherpa launched and reached the semi-final on our first attempt. At that stage, Golf Sherpa had a strong idea, early venue relationships and a clear belief that golf needed a better way to organise trips, events and experiences.
The feedback was encouraging, but direct. The judges could see the gap in the market. They recognised the strength of the team and the potential of the proposition. But they wanted more detail where our focus was. In short, we had a promising concept, but we needed a sharper business model.
From golf travel to golf management
That feedback made us look closely at where the real value in Golf Sherpa sat.
Initially, Golf Sherpa was positioned as an end-to-end golf travel business. We helped golfers find and organise great golf experiences. That was valuable, but it was not the full opportunity.
The more we spoke to golfers, venues, businesses and charities, the clearer the problem became. Golf events are still often managed through spreadsheets, emails, WhatsApp groups, paper scorecards and disconnected systems. Organisers are left chasing payments, collecting handicaps, managing pairings, updating players and calculating scores. Venues host valuable events, but often lose the data, relationships and follow-up opportunities once players leave.
That insight changed the direction of Golf Sherpa, with us repositioning to become more of an event and venue management service.
Today, Golf Sherpa supports corporate golf days, charity events, society competitions, through event planning, player registration, live scoring, leaderboards, payment support, sponsor visibility and post-event reporting.
We also provide an extensive venue management platform to help golf clubs and resorts manage events, understand player data and create more long-term value from visitor and event activity.
Making the final
This year, Golf Sherpa reached the Scottish EDGE final. That alone was a major milestone for Golf Sherpa.
It showed that the business had moved forward. The proposition was clearer. The model was stronger. The judges recognised a credible team, strong sector knowledge and a scalable concept with real potential.
One piece of feedback kept recurring: “You’ve really got something here.”
That has stayed with us. Not because it means the job is done, but because it reflects what we are increasingly hearing from venues, organisers, golfers and partners. There is growing advocacy around Golf Sherpa every time we explain the vision.
A stronger business because of the process
Of course, we would have loved to win the Scottish EDGE but the final feedback also gave us the next challenge. Now it is about proof and it is exactly the kind of challenge a growing start-up needs.
We are proving the model locally, building stronger case studies through our venue and partner relationships. We are showing venues the financial value of better event management, live scoring, player data, sponsor visibility and follow-up. We are refining our pricing and proving the return on investment for clubs and businesses. And have validated our service with positive reviews and a growing network of users
The EDGE judges and experts have helped us move from a promising idea to a more focused, scalable business. It has made us sharper commercially. It challenged us to evidence demand, refine our pricing and strengthen our position in a competitive market.
Most importantly, it confirmed that Golf Sherpa is solving a real problem in golf. We are still early, but we are more focused and more confident than we were a year ago.
The Scottish EDGE did not change who Golf Sherpa are, it helped us become the best version of ourselves. It helped shape what comes next.
So, what is next for Golf Sherpa? As we’ve been told “you’ve really got something here”. Now the job is to prove the golf industry is ready for better event technology, stronger use of data and more connected experiences.
If you would like to have a conversation about becoming a strategic partner or a venue who wants to learn more about our service, please message us at hello@golfsherpa.co.uk
