Jennifer Black

A record 139 applications were received from across Scotland’s Higher Education Institutions reinforcing the message that the country’s universities remain a bedrock of innovation for early-stage ideas and projects that have the potential to become viable businesses. 

More projects than ever before will benefit from a 2-day practical business training programme to help develop their proposition culminating in an Awards Final with a prize package of £15,000.

Scotland’s vibrant academic entrepreneurial eco-system continues to flourish with 33 early stage business ideas within sight of reaching the final of the Converge Challenge KickStart 2019 programme next March where a £10,000 cash prize awaits the winner and £5,000 will go to the runner up.

The Scottish Funding Council has announced the appointment of Karen Watt as its new Chief Executive.  The appointment follows a robust selection process supported by our recruitment partner, Aspen People.

Karen, who takes up the role on 14 January 2019, joins the SFC from the Scottish Government where, as Director of External Affairs, she has had a leading role in developing the Scottish Government’s response to the EU Referendum.

White powders found at known or potential crime scenes present investigators and first responders with a dilemma. Touching the powders could be dangerous or compromise the evidence, and sending samples to a lab to be identified could take too long.

Now, scientists at Heriot-Watt University have proved the concept that white powders have a unique ‘fingerprint’ that allows them to be identified instantly, using portable laser technology.

Our valued Partner, Murgitroyd have launched their 2018 Autumn Innovator Launchpad competition!

Start-ups are invited to enter the 2018 Innovator Launchpad competition to compete for a £6,500 cash investment to their business as well as a PR and support package. All UK-based pre-profit and non-profit enterprises are eligible to enter, and the deadline for applications is Wed 7th Nov @ 1200 GMT.

The Converge Outreach Team will be travelling across Scotland in October & November to promote the early-stage KickStart programme to staff and students from all Scottish Universities and Research Institutes.

The Outreach team includes Dr. Claudia Cavalluzzo and Adam Kosterka. Claudia has experience in entrepreneurial leadership and Life Sciences spin-outs while Adam has extensive knowledge of business start-up and innovation. 

The team can offer hands on support to all applicants, be it application advice or just a sounding board.
 

Carbogenics, a spin out the from University of Edinburgh has secured the coveted first prize at the 2018 Converge Challenge awards with their innovative waste solution. Turning low value paper waste products into a carbon-rich material, their revolutionary product CreChar improves biogas production and enhances digestate as a sustainable alternative to energy-intense mineral fertilisers

The finalists have been announced for Scotland’s leading higher education company creation programme, illustrating that Scotland’s academic community continues to thrive as a collective entrepreneurial hub.

With over 60% of the companies coming through being either founded or led by women, this year’s Converge Challenge is not only breaking down gender barriers but is innovating across multiple industries too. Renewable energy, health care and agriculture are just some of the industries these entrepreneurs are working within.

The Converge Challenge 2018 best of the best Top 30 came together after three days of comprehensive business training to showcase the most innovative ideas emerging from Scottish Universities. They had just 60 seconds to present their innovative ideas to a panel of experts and esteemed industry professionals.

Peter Orrell from the James Hutton Institute won the Converge Challenge ‘Ready Steady Pitch’ award with MycoNourish that uses fungi to act as a secondary root system, to improve plant health.

Royal Bank of Scotland and Talent Spark announced their sponsorship of the Converge Challenge KickStart Award with a cash prize of £10,000.

The KickStart category is for early-stage ideas for new products or services. This year the award will be split across two areas, startup (£5K cash) sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland and spin out (£5K cash) sponsored by Talent Spark.