Converge has announced the first wave of finalists in its 2025 competition, with shortlisted projects spanning every area, from AI-powered medtech robots to innovative HGV trailer designs, all underpinned by cutting-edge research from twelve of Scotland’s universities. 

This year’s projects leverage emerging technologies such as quantum computing and biotech alongside established disciplines like engineering and product design, all aiming to solve real-world challenges and improve lives.

To support their development, this year’s prize offerings have nearly doubled to a prize pot of more than £400,000, including £305,00 in cash awards and over £100,000 of in-kind business support.

Among those competing are four student startups from the University of Edinburgh, including Qinara, a venture building AI that blends classical and quantum computing to improve performance, and MantaRAI, an AI-powered platform and co-pilot that helps companies adopt AI more successfully and responsibly.

Other Edinburgh Uni finalists include Aeroflow, which is developing more fuel-efficient HGV trailers that lower greenhouse gas emissions, and SEASAT, which uses satellite images to monitor ocean health and measure environmental vulnerability.

Other shortlisted projects include Softech Robotics, a medtech start-up developing a soft robotic colonoscope to tackle bowel cancer at the University of Dundee, and Neurodapt from Strathclyde University, which offers a low-tech wearable device aimed at young neurodivergent users to help in managing daily tasks without smartphone distractions.

Flying the flag for early-stage projects is a venture out of Heriot-Watt University, where researchers are working to build a smaller, cheaper and more robust self-starting titanium-sapphire laser that promises to make advanced laser technology more accessible across multiple industries.

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“It’s inspiring to see this year’s finalists reach such a pivotal stage in their entrepreneurial journey,” said Adam Kosterka, executive director at Converge.

“What really stands out is their remarkable ability to translate cutting-edge university research into tangible solutions with real-world impact, perfectly highlighting the profound potential embedded within our universities.”

Winners and runners-up will be named at the Converge Awards on Thursday, 2nd October at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh, with the full list of finalists as follows:

Create Change Challenge

Net Zero Challenge

KickStart Challenge