A comprehensive training programme for all shortlisted projects across all categories:
A prize fund of £160,000+ alongside great networking opportunities and a comprehensive support and training package plus 1-2-1 mentorship are available, ensuring the best possible start for any new business.
The Converge Challenge is Scotland's leading company creation competition and development training programme for entrepreneurs, seeking creative business minds from within Scottish Universities and Research Institutes across all sectors: the challenge provides the perfect platform for driving forward your business plans.
A prize fund of £170,000+ alongside great networking opportunities and a comprehensive support and training package plus 1-2-1 mentorship are available for the winners, ensuring the best possible start for any new business.
The first prize in Converge enables the matching of a Scottish Enterprise SMART: Feasibility award. In 2017 - our Converge Challenge overall winner will automatically have the opportunity to pitch on stage at EIE18 (May 2018) - a brilliant opportunity to present to key investors and stakeholders - money can't buy additional prizes.
AND our Converge Challenge 2017 winners will receive a semi-final spot in either Round 11 or 12 in the Scottish EDGE. We thank Informatics Ventures and Scottish EDGE for these opportunities.
MediCity provided a bespoke 3-day programme of sector specific support for the top 30 Converge Challenge Life Science & MedTech submissions in the period between end of June and business plan submission deadline in August.
We are delighted to partner with the Royal Bank of Scotland. RBS will provide vital support across all areas of Converge Challenge as well as business mentoring.
Converge Challenge 1st Prize | Converge Challenge 2nd Prize | Design & Creativity Award |
£43,000 cash | £15,000 cash | £10,000 cash |
- | - | £5,000 product development & support |
£5,000 legal support | £3,000 legal support | £2,000 legal support |
£5,000 financial advice | £3,000 financial advice | £2,000 financial advice |
£5,000 branding & marketing support | £3,000 branding & marketing support | £2,000 branding & marketing support |
£5,000 Intellectual Property (IP) | £3,000 Intellectual Property (IP) | £2,000 Intellectual Property (IP) |
£5,000 recruitment advice | £3,000 recruitment advice | £2,000 recruitment advice |
£2,500 mentoring | £1,500 mentoring | £1,000 mentoring |
£500 networking | - | - |
Automatic entry into EIE19 | Automatic entry into EIE19 | - |
Automatic entry into Scottish EDGE semi-final | Automatic entry into Scottish EDGE semi-final | - |
Total £70,000+ |
Total £31,500+ (cash £15,000 | in-kind £16,500) |
Total £26,000+ (£10,000 cash | in kind £16,000+) |
KickStart - Winner | KickStart - Runner-up | Social Enterprise | Entrepreneurial Spirit |
First prize £10,000 cash |
First prize £5,000 cash |
First prize £6,000 In-kind PR and branding support est. £5,000 |
Winner £1,000 cash |
Second prize £4,000* In-kind PR and branding support est. £5,000 |
Bespoke 1-2-1 follow on training for 12 months with Converge Challenge Top 10 |
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Total £10,000 | Total £5,000 | Total £10,000+ |