A local business team have propelled themselves to a top prize in a business contest.
Specialist physiotherapy and rehabilitation team Dave Powney and Jude Simms from Forres, with Steve Ryan from Fochabers, have won the main prize of £85,000 in the leading business funding competition, Scottish EDGE.
The trio who are recognised leaders in rehabilitation and physiotherapy, were also recently featured on BBC’s The One Show showcasing their pioneering work.
Scottish EDGE is Scotland’s premier funding competition for high-growth start-ups, designed to identify and support the nation’s most innovative businesses. It is supported by major sponsors including the Scottish Government, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Hunter Foundation & Scottish Enterprise.
In this latest round, the team were selected from hundreds of entries across Scotland, sharing a prize fund of £1.5 million.
Among those winners, Jude, Dave & Steve secured one of the main EDGE awards of £85,000 for their groundbreaking medical innovation, Flex4ward.
What is Flex4ward?
Flex4ward is a Class I medical device developed by the team at Move4ward Physio and Rehabilitation in Elgin. The Move4ward team established a new project company, Propelus Ltd, to drive the innovation and global development of their award-winning Flex4ward rehabilitation device forward.
Speaking after the win, Jude said: “We are proud to represent Forres and Elgin on a national stage. Winning Scottish EDGE validates the years of clinical insight and design innovation that went into Flex4ward.”
David added: “The award is not just recognition for our team, but a step forward for patients who deserve better solutions to restore dignity and independence in their daily lives.”
It is a non-invasive, fabric-based exoskeleton designed to support patients with neurological gait impairments or muscle weakness.
- Supports ankle dorsiflexion to help lift the foot during walking
- Encourages knee and hip flexion for smoother, more natural movement
- Prevents knee hyperextension, reducing risk of instability or falls
- Wearable under clothing, making it discreet and practical for everyday life
Flex4ward is already transforming rehabilitation by offering patients greater independence, confidence, and mobility. It is particularly beneficial for those living with conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and peripheral nerve injuries.
A Win for Moray and Beyond
The success of the team highlights the strength of innovation coming from Moray. Their achievement at Scottish EDGE demonstrates how local expertise can deliver world-class solutions with global potential.
With this award, the Propelus team will continue to scale Flex4ward, ensuring that more patients across Scotland, UK and worldwide can benefit from this life-changing technology.
For further information, email hello@propelusltd.com
Picture shows Dave Powney (left) and Jude Simms with MSP Richard Lochhead.