The launch of Converge Challenge always comes faster than I expect with its flair of activity, excitement of meeting new people and genuine anticipation of what weird and wonderful projects will come our way. One would have thought that after five years, these feelings would lose their edge and the process becomes somewhat of a routine. But looking at myself and the Converge team, it is quite the opposite.
I think the novelty of it all comes from Converge never being the same every year. Though our core focus remains on providing a practical guide and hands-on help to students, staff and recent graduates of all nineteen Scottish Universities and research institutes, every year Converge Challenge evolves making sure that our support to the participants retains the high quality that we pride ourselves on.
So what is new in 2016? To recognise the Year of Innovation, Design and Architecture announced by the Scottish Government, Converge Challenge Judges are calling for product- and service-based businesses to apply for the Creativity and Design award, £10,000 cash prize supplemented with additional £14,500 of business support. We are looking for all those creative projects being it from textiles, architectures, digital or any other sector, that would like to start a company in Scotland.
This year will also see strengthening of our partnerships from across the public and business sectors. We will continue to work with our sponsors Murgitroyd, Informatics Ventures, Morton Fraser, Morton Ward and Fearsome Engine. The new partners will include Mazars, who will be providing financial advice to Converge Challenge participants and Badenoch & Clark who will be advising on recruitment to the winning project. A collaboration with BQ will open additional PR opportunities to our participants. And a strategic partnership with RBS will impact the whole programme throughout all its stages.
Overall I have no doubt that 2016 will be our biggest and best year. And I know that I said the same last year and the year before. What is remarkable is that it has been an absolute truth. Converge Challenge has been growing every year both in terms of numbers and quality of project coming through. Our alumni are doing better and better. And I would attribute large part of this success to the people that work on the programme.
Veronica, Kirstie and Jen have worked very hard on preparations for this year. And there are many more of those among our partners, judges, trainers, sponsors and, of course, our participants that make Converge the tremendous fun to be part of. So buckle your seatbelts, the countdown has begun and all systems are GO…
