Applications are now open for the Pitch to Pilot competition which is a new initiative from AudioUK’s training programme Audiotrain, Bespoken Media and the Scottish Podcast Awards, looking for an exciting new podcast idea to take from pitch to pilot.
Five creators will be selected to pitch their podcast ideas live in Glasgow, with one winning a development and production package worth more than £3,000 to turn their concept into a professionally produced pilot.
The competition officially opened following a launch event at Berlinkys in Glasgow on 3rd November, which brought together creators and members of Scotland’s podcast and audio community to explore what makes a great podcast pitch.
The evening was hosted by broadcaster, arts journalist and host of the ‘Kick up the Arts’ Scottish culture podcast Nicola Meighan. Among those in attendance were actor, writer, producer and podcaster Ford Kiernan, whose The Ford & Shelby Show won both Comedy Podcast of the Year and Podcast of the Year at the 2026 Scottish Podcast Awards, and broadcaster and podcaster Kaye Adams, host of How to Be 60.
Creators based in Scotland are now invited to submit their ideas, with five shortlisted applicants given the opportunity to pitch live to an industry panel in Glasgow on the evening of 2nd February 2027.
One winning idea will receive £3,000 worth of funding, production support and mentoring to develop the concept into a professionally produced podcast pilot.
Creators don’t need to have made the podcast already. The Pitch to Pilot competition is looking for a great original idea with the potential to be developed.
The winning package includes:
10 hours of executive and production support
Full pilot production in Scottish podcast studio
Editing support
Industry mentoring
Pilot published on the Made in Scotland podcast feed
An invitation to the 2027 Scottish Podcast Awards, including a special on stage spotlight
£1,000 cash prize
The winning creator will also receive a professional podcast brand identity from Maven, who are supporting Pitch to Pilot by providing the creative direction and practical brand assets needed to help the new podcast launch with a strong and distinctive identity.
Who can apply to the Pitch to Pilot Competition
Pitch to Pilot is designed to support new podcast ideas with the potential to be developed into a pilot.
Applicants must:
Be aged 18 or over
Be based in or have a connection to Scotland, or be creating content focused on Scottish stories, audiences or communities
Have an original podcast idea that has not already been commissioned or developed
Be available to take part in the live pitch event if shortlisted
Be available to participate in the development and mentoring process if selected
Be willing and able to work towards producing a pilot within an agreed timeframe
Applications open at 11.59pm on Tuesday 3rd November 2026 and close at 11.59pm on Sunday 10th January 2027.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted later in January, with five creators invited to pitch their ideas live in Glasgow on 2nd February 2027.
Link to apply for Pitch to Pilot
About the Pitch to Pilot Competition
The competition was launched in Glasgow with a panel discussion exploring “What Makes a Great Podcast Pitch?”, featuring Dave Howard, founder of Bespoken Media; Mark Hunter, Scottish podcast veteran and co-founder of Podcast Studio Glasgow; Dr Pamela Jenkins, host of My Family, Mental Illness and Me, and Flora Zajicek, Senior Producer at Big Light productions.
The panel shared practical advice on developing an idea, understanding its audience and communicating what makes a concept stand out, before creators and industry professionals came together to make connections and discuss Scotland’s growing podcast sector. Guests who attended the event had positive feedback.
Ford Kiernan said:
“It’s fantastic to see the podcast sector in Scotland continuing to grow. It feels like only yesterday that more than 500 creators, producers and studio owners were coming together at the Old Fruitmarket for the Scottish Podcast Awards.
Every podcast starts with an idea, and that’s what makes tonight’s launch so exciting. Pitch to Pilot will give more of Scotland’s brilliant and imaginative creators the opportunity to take that first idea and turn it into a professionally produced pilot.”
Dylan Kelly, Founder of Maven, who are providing the winning pilot’s brand identity, said:
“Pitch to Pilot is a fantastic initiative that gives emerging podcast creators the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. Supporting people with the passion and ambition to take that next step is something we’re proud to be part of. At Maven, we’re delighted to help the winner develop a distinctive, professional brand identity, with the creative direction and practical tools to launch confidently, connect with listeners and build recognition”
Chris Baughen, CEO of AudioUK, said:
“Scotland has no shortage of great ideas and creative talent. Pitch to Pilot is about giving creators the practical support to take one of those ideas further, developing it, learning how to pitch it and ultimately getting it made.
“It was fantastic to see Scotland’s podcast community come together for the launch in Glasgow. Now we want to hear the ideas. You don’t need to have a finished podcast or a fully developed production plan, we’re looking for an idea with real potential and a creator who wants the opportunity to take it further.”
Dave Howard, Founder and Director of Bespoken Media, said:
“Pitch to Pilot is our attempt to build a much-needed pathway, so that creative people in Scotland can find the access, connections, knowledge, and support they need to make their podcast ideas a reality, and ultimately - hopefully - a huge success.
“These kinds of opportunities are all too rare. I really hope we can find a way to make Pitch to Pilot a returning event in all our calendars.”
Corrinne Gardiner, Co-Founder of the Scottish Podcast Awards, said:
“When we launched the Scottish Podcast Awards, our ambition was always to do more than recognise and celebrate the fantastic talent already working in Scotland's podcast industry. We wanted to help create opportunities, build connections and support emerging creators.
“Pitch to Pilot is a great example of how we can put that ambition into practice. There are so many people with brilliant ideas who simply don't know where to start or how to get their podcast off the ground. By bringing together industry expertise, mentoring and practical production support, we're giving someone the opportunity to turn their idea into something real.
“We're delighted to be part of the initiative and can't wait to see what Scotland's emerging podcast creators come up with.”
How to apply to the Pitch to Pilot Competition
Applications for Pitch to Pilot are open from 11.59pm on Tuesday 3rd November 2026 until 11.59pm on Sunday 10th January 2027.
Five shortlisted creators will be invited to pitch live in Glasgow on 2nd February 2027, with one winning idea selected to receive the full Pitch to Pilot development and production package.