Got an idea for a podcast? Enter our competition for funding (Scotland only)
What if your podcast idea could become a professionally produced reality?
This autumn, Bespoken are partnering with AudioUK's Audiotrain and the team behind the Scottish Podcast Awards, to help Scottish creators to develop their original podcast ideas and turn them into pilots.
The 'Pitch to Pilot' competition offers Scottish podcasters the chance to win a development and production package worth more than £3,000!
Our aim is to help emerging talent to develop their ideas, connect with industry experts, and turn a winning concept into a professionally produced podcast pilot.
What's on offer?
Between us, the three partner organisations will provide the winning creator with practical support and a clear route from an initial podcast idea through to production and delivery.
The programme launches with an event on Tuesday 3rd November at Berlinkys in Glasgow, bringing together Scotland’s podcast and audio community for a discussion on “What Makes a Great Podcast Pitch?”
I'll be there, along with Mark Hunter, Scottish Podcast veteran of 20 years and co-founder of the Podcast Studio Glasgow, and Dr Pamela Jenkins, host of award-winning podcast My Family, Mental Illness and Me.
We'll be part of a panel sharing experience and insight into what can make a podcast pitch stand out.
The discussion will be followed by drinks and networking, giving creators the opportunity to meet other podcasters, and to connect with Scotland's wider audio and creative community.
The launch event will also introduce the wider Pitch to Pilot programme.
A further live event will take place in February 2027, when selected creators will have the opportunity to pitch their podcast ideas to an industry panel.
One winning creator will receive a support package worth more than £3,000, including:
- 10 hours of executive and production support from Bespoken Media to develop their idea into a podcast pilot
- studio production time, editing support and mentoring from the Scottish Podcast Awards
- a professional brand identity from Maven Media
- a £1,000 cash prize from Audiotrain.
- The finished pilot will be published and distributed globally on Bespoken Media’s ‘Made in Scotland’ podcast showcase feed.
Chris Baughen, CEO, AudioUK said:
“Scotland has a hugely creative and ambitious podcast and audio community, and Pitch to Pilot is a fantastic opportunity to help creators take the next step with their ideas.
It’s not just about having a great concept, it’s about understanding how todevelop it, pitch it effectively and ultimately get it made."
David Howard, Founder & Director, Bespoken Media said:
“There is so much creativity and talent in Scotland’s audio and podcast communities. What is sometimes lacking is opportunity, funding, and support.
I am delighted that this exciting collaboration goes some way towards changing that, by offering at least one Scottish creator all three of those things - opportunity, funding, and support - and hopefully a route to market.
I can’t wait to hear the ideas that will be developed!”
Corrinne Gardiner, co-founder of the Scottish Podcast Awards said:
“From the beginning, we wanted the Scottish Podcast Awards to be about much more than one night a year.
There is so much creativity across Scotland, but not everyone with a great idea knows how to take that first step or has access to the people who can help them develop it.
Pitch to Pilot is exactly the kind of opportunity we want to be part of - bringing people together, opening up access to the industry and giving creators practical support to take an idea and actually make something happen with it.
The Pitch to Pilot launch event takes place on:
Tuesday 3rd November 2026
6pm-8pm
Berlinkys, 396 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD
The event is open to any and all creators, and members of Scotland’s podcast and audio community.
To attend the launch event please go to https://luma.com/1h398h3z to register.
Creators interested in finding out more about the wider Pitch to Pilot competition will be able to find out more at the launch event.
