A Dragons' Den-style fund is being set up by the Scottish Government to help entrepreneurs, Finance Secretary John Swinney is to announce.
Businesses will be able to bid for cash from the £1 million fund, with companies pitching their plans to leading business figures such as Sir Tom Hunter and Sir Willie Haughey.
Mr Swinney said the scheme would "target ambitious entrepreneurs wishing to establish or grow their business".
The Finance Secretary will announce the creation of the Encouraging Dynamic Growth Entrepreneurs fund (Edge) in his speech to the SNP annual conference in Perth.
The Scottish Government has worked with enterprise agencies, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Entrepreneurial Spark, which helps new start-up businesses, on the initiative. The new fund will invest up to £50,000 in businesses, with companies submitting business plans and a minute-long online video pitch.
Those who are shortlisted will then pitch to a panel - as happens in the BBC2 programme - made up of entrepreneurs and business leaders, together with representatives from RBS and enterprise agencies Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Speaking ahead of his speech, the Finance Secretary said: "The Scottish Government is looking at new and innovative ways for the private and public sectors to work together to assist business growth in Scotland. That is why we are establishing a £1 million fund to unlock investment for entrepreneurs."
Sir Tom, who founded the Sports Division chain of stores, described the fund as a "huge boost for entrepreneurs in Scotland". He said: "Hopefully this will help further boost high growth businesses in Scotland."
Gordon Merrylees, business banking managing director for RBS in Scotland, said the bank would work with the Scottish Government on Scottish Edge to provide mentoring, while Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said the scheme was a "crucial step forward in how we can help ambitious forward-looking companies".
Alex Paterson, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: "In this economic climate, entrepreneurs across Scotland are key to stimulating growth and creating jobs. Highlands and Islands Enterprise are delighted to help entrepreneurs from young companies to move up a gear through investment from this fund."
