The application deadline for the 2018 Converge Challenge has closed with a record-breaking number of applicants.

Converge received over 223 applications from university staff and students, showcasing Scotland’s relentless entrepreneurial spirit. For context, this number represents a five-fold increase since the inaugural event in 2011 and brings the total number of applicants since then to over 1,100.

Signs of Progression

This is a significant milestone for the Converge Challenge, highlighting a marked increase in engagement and a continual progression in enterprise activities by Scotland’s higher education institutions. According to the Converge website, “universities have grown their share by 10% reaching 35% of applications overall” and, for the first time, the Converge Challenge also received applications from the Royal Conservatoire.

18 out of 19 Scottish universities have made applications for the challenge.

NEWS: Converge Challenge 2018 hits record numbers! Read the full story here: https://t.co/MjT1uPHZt6 #HigherEducation #staff #students #entrepreneurship #Scotland pic.twitter.com/PLERduvwxU

— Converge Challenge💡 (@ConvergeC) April 6, 2018

The Converge team believes this demonstrates the “sustained push [of the Converge team] to outreach into the creative sector.”

Dr Mike Cantlay OBE, Chair of the Scottish Funding Council, says that the development of entrepreneurship is integral to the growth of Scottish industries, and the Converge Challenge plays a pivotal role in funding future innovation, he said:

“The Scottish Funding Council is an active supporter of the entrepreneurial network in Scottish universities and we are delighted to see this year’s substantial growth in applications from staff and students.

“Developing entrepreneurship through national initiatives like the Converge Challenge is vitally important in driving Scotland’s future economic growth as a Can Do nation.”

Breakdown of the Numbers

A breakdown of the share can be found below:

• Applicants from the technology and engineering sectors account for 31% of the total share, with creative industries standing at 20% and life sciences at 13%.
• Scotland’s East coast institutions make up the highest number of applications, accounting for 43% of the total; North and West applications make up 23% and 34% respectively.
• In regards to the background of the applicants, postgraduates and undergraduates tie at 28%, with staff making up the largest share of the number at 31%.

In addition to their overall applicant numbers, the Converge Challenge this year has seen a record-breaking number of female applications, with women accounting for 35% of the overall applicants – This marks a 2% increase on last year’s event and further demonstrates the strength of Scotland’s female entrepreneurial spirit. Female representation at the Converge Challenge is a promising indicator of the diversity of Scottish entrepreneurship, and the 2018 finals will also see Professor Janice Kirkpatrick CBE, the co-founder and creative director of design agency, Graven, joining the expert judges panel.

From the 223 applicants, this number will be narrowed down by judges to a total of 60 in anticipation of the event.