January is a very interesting month. For many it is a difficult period when the weather is cold, the evenings are dark, Christmas holidays are behind and summer holidays far away. At the same time January symbolises a New Year, which is always a time of new hopes, resolutions and general optimism about things to come.
The first week back in the office it is customary to review the previous year and advance plans for the future. 2016 was a great year for Converge Challenge with record number of entries, biggest prizes and first joint winners. And our New Year resolution is to make 2017 a year of strengthened ambition. We want take a very critical look at everything we do to make sure that every single activity, from a 1-2-1 meeting to our awards dinner, gives 100% benefit to our budding entrepreneurs and helps them start sustainable profitable businesses in Scotland.
We are privileged to work with the brightest thinkers of our times from across all nineteen Scottish Universities and Research Institutes. We want to make sure that their ideas are nurtured and their talents thrive to deliver for Scotland Plc. We also have the pleasure of being part of one of the most vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems in the world where collaboration has become a way of life. This ecosystem is delivering results. At the end of 2016 Scotland’s first two unicorns had their exits and it seems fitting that in 2017 we will work together to develop many more exciting growing companies.
There is no doubt that 2017 brings many uncertainties in global politics and closer to home with the second stage of the Enterprise and Skills review. And it is important that we continue to make plans and look forward to an exciting future. At Converge, we have many new ideas for the upcoming year: our judging panel will have some new faces, we will engage in a new way with our alumni and will continue our close partnership with Enterprise Campus, Scottish Institute for Enterprise and Young Enterprise Scotland as well as the others in the ecosystem. All our valued partners will remain part of the programme offering exceptional advice and guidance to our cohort and our new Strategic Advisory Board will be working to develop a five year vision for the programme.
All this makes me really optimistic about the year ahead. Entrepreneurs are always resilient in times of change, they spot opportunities and are not scared to pursue them. At Converge Challenge entrepreneurial mind-set is a key part of our DNA and 2017 promises unique chances to those prepared to rise to the challenge!
I am looking forward to seeing the new cohort of budding entrepreneurs emerging from among staff, students and recent graduates of our universities. No matter what is your idea or what stage it is at, please come and talk to us and let’s together make 2017 the best year yet!
Dr Olga Kozlova, Director, Converge Challenge
PS And don't forget we open for entries on February 7th at www.convergechallenge.com
