The goal of competition is the creation of sustainable and profitable companies and supporting a creation of highly entrepreneurial, Can Do Society. Entries came from 18 out of 19 of Scotland’s universities and 35% of those were from female applicants, a 2% increase on 2017.

Sustainability, Health and Tech

Ideas covered a wide range of concepts from women’s health to renewables and sustainability, demonstrating the robustness of Scotland innovative pipeline. 30% of entries were geared towards sustainable solutions such as reducing consumption, re-using more products and recycling waste.

Health and technology was a major focus for entries, ideas ranged from ground breaking ultra sound technology to non-invasive digital home tests to help women monitor their own gynaecological health.

The challenge has three award categories:

• Converge Challenge – for those with an established idea.
• KickStart – for early stage ideas.
• Social Enterprise – for ideas focusing on social and environmental issues.

Top 60 to Receive Mentoring and Support

The top 60 will benefit from an extensive programme of support to help them further develop their business proportions. They will enjoy one to one bespoke advice, business and pitch training, and hands on mentoring.

Winners will receive a total prize fund of over £160,000 of cash and in-kind business support.

Professor Andrea Nolan O.B.E., Convener of Universities Scotland, said:

“I am truly delighted to see the shortlisted Converge Challenge participants continue to raise the bar each year and produce pioneering and innovative products and services from technology to robotics and health.”

“The ambition of these 60 budding entrepreneurs is to change the lives of people here in Scotland and the rest of the world for the better through social good and inclusive solutions.”

“I look forward to tracking the progress of these wonderful projects which exemplify the excellence of our Scottish universities and showcase the diversity of sectors they support.”

Converge Challenge 2017 winner Dave Hughes of Novosound, University of the West of Scotland said:

“Winning Converge Challenge 2017 helped move novosound to the next level because of the intensive and inspiring support we received throughout the Challenge.”

“The 2018 participants are about to embark on a fantastic and vital programme which will really test them but will give them the toolkit and entrepreneurial skills to help them bring their ideas and products to a much wider network.”

The full shortlist can be found here.