Converge Challenge 2015 Top 10 finalists*
Converge KickStart and Social Enterprise 2015 short list*
| Name |
Title of the Project |
University name |
Category Entered |
| Alexander Enoch |
Red Robotics
@RedRoboticsCo
|
University of Edinburgh |
KickStart |
| Angelos Spanos |
Flexi-Scope
http://bit.ly/1K1qgSA
|
University of Edinburgh |
KickStart |
| Chris Hughes |
Palm Present
@estendio
|
University of Strathclyde |
KickStart |
| Ganga Chinna Rao Devarapu |
Smart Open Syringe Pump
@Smartsyringpump
|
University of St Andrews |
KickStart |
| Jordan Smith |
PKT Jordan Smith Designs
|
Glasgow School of Art |
KickStart |
| Michael Harkins |
Turtle Pack
http://bit.ly/1KA7a8g
|
Heriot-Watt University |
KickStart |
| Susanne Mitschke |
MindMate
@MindMateApp
|
University of Glasgow |
KickStart |
| Salman Tahir |
Xi: cross-linking analysis software
@salmantahir1
|
University of Edinburgh |
KickStart |
| Scott Kennedy |
Revive
@REVIVE_Eco
|
University of Strathclyde |
Social Enterprise |
| Joy Leckie |
reallysmallscience
@RSmallScience
|
University of Strathclyde |
Social Enterprise |
| James McIlroy |
Euro Biotix
http://bit.ly/1O8aTcL
|
University of Aberdeen |
Social Enterprise |
| Mark Munro |
The UK Change Charity |
University of the West of Scotland |
Social Enterprise |
| Robbie Norval |
Lingo Flamingo
@lingoflamingo1
|
University of Stirling |
Social Enterprise |
| Felix Schaeffler |
Fitvoice
http://bit.ly/1PWzYpl
|
Queen Margaret University |
Social Enterprise |
| Olga Szewczyk |
Smoove
http://bit.ly/1LT9lky
|
University of Strathclyde |
Social Enterprise |
*These details are subject to change, based on the availability of our finalists.
So what have our finalists been up to and what is next for our finalists?
- The Entrepreneurial Training Programme took place on June 1-3 (Converge) and June 1-2 (KickStart/Social Enterprise) – both were held at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. In the middle of the Converge Training was our popular Elevator Pitch event which was held at Symposium Hall, Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh on June 2nd which included keynote speeches from Chris van der Kuyl, Chairman of Entrepreneurial Scotland and Kerry Sharp, Head of Scottish Investment Bank, Scottish Enterprise.
- As part of phase 3 of the series all participants (Converge, KickStart and Social Enterprise) used their training to formulate their business plan. The submission date was August 7th, 2015.
- And next for the short listed finalists? The short listed projects are progressing through to the next stage of the competition – phase 4 - which is to be judged by an external expert panel of judges drawn from across the business community, creating a diverse panel of expert who run, influence, evaluate, research and write about entrepreneurial and business ventures.
- The external judging panel will meet September 7/8 to review and consider all business plans . For the Converge Challenge the judging panel will select the top 6 to progress through to the investor pitch stage. The six Converge Challenge finalists will be required to deliver a ten-minute investor pitch to this same panel on the 29th September 2015. The venue is the new Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow. They will then attend the Awards Dinner which takes place that evening at the Barony Hall, University of Strathclyde from 6pm where the winners will be announced in ALL the categories.
- The Converge Challenge overall winner receives £35,000 in cash to start their business – a huge injection at a vital stage in a young company's development plus a further £25,000 in business support from sponsors such as Morton Fraser, Murgitroyd, and Baker Tilly. A total prize fund of £100,000 alongside great networking opportunities and a comprehensive support and training package are available for the winners, ensuring the best possible start for any new business.
- There are three winning categories for the Converge Challenge 2015: Converge Challenge Award, KickStart Award and Social Enterprise Award. Who will rise to the 2015 Converge Challenge?
