A video production company formed by two Edinburgh Napier graduates has been recognised at the city’s leading creative industries award ceremony.
High Tide – led by former students Alex Porter-Smith and Eathan Currie – came out top in the Startup category of the Creative Edinburgh awards which took place last week at The Hub.
The Startup Award recognised new and emerging businesses and creative organisations from the city, with High Tide’s work, which includes projects on behalf of Underbelly at the Edinburgh Festivals, Crabbies, Edinburgh International Film Festival and more, being praised unanimously by the judging panel.
Alex and Eathan formed High Tide in January 2017 while both were still studying at Edinburgh Napier and received support from the University’s entrepreneurial incubator, Bright Red Triangle.
Alex studied Film at the University before graduating in BA Business and Enterprise in 2016. She then went on to do an MSc in Business Management in 2017. Eathan is a 2018 BA Television graduate.
Alex Porter-Smith, Head of Production at High Tide, said: “We're thrilled to have won the startup award. We weren't really expecting it as we were up against some tough competition but we're really delighted. It feels like a brilliant end to a fantastic year for us!”
Edinburgh Napier was also celebrating another winner on the night which saw the Daydream Believers collective take home the Collaboration Award.
Daydream Believers brings together creative professionals – including staff from Edinburgh Napier including Product Design lecturer Ruth Cochrane - and secondary school pupils to help them develop essential skills such as creativity, critical thinking and problem solving.
Edinburgh Napier graphic design graduate Fee Sheal was among the nominees for the Social Award. Fee leads the Edinburgh chapter of the worldwide initiative Ladies Wine & Design.
The University also sponsored the Student Award on the night which was this year won by social enterprise group R Sustainable.
Since 2013, the Creative Edinburgh Awards has been celebrating the city’s creative community.
The Creative Edinburgh Awards highlight the projects, people and places that flourish across Edinburgh and continually ensure its place on the cultural map - nationally and internationally.
More details on the awards can be found here.