If you know the ‘why’ behind your business, we can help you with the ‘how’

Bringing your idea to life

Scotland’s universities are hotbeds of innovation and talent but turning great ideas into commercial reality is tough – especially without a road map, funding and a network to guide you along the way. 

Working in partnership with Scotland’s world-class universities, we help staff, students and recent graduates with game-changing business ideas navigate the journey ahead.

No time like the present

Our next intake is January 2025 but experience tells us that the earlier you engage with us, the higher your chances of being selected. So why not email our enterprise team to book a 1-2-1?

Alternatively, connect with us locally at your University. We work hand-in-hand with enterprise teams across Scotland’s university sector offering an extensive programme of outreach support including workshops, inspirational talks, mentoring and more.

Additionally, browse our Resources page for podcasts, videos and case studies featuring university-born founders. This is also where you can watch our on-demand workshop series covering business essentials.

It's the best thing I've done in my career. The PR it created allowed the business to grow very quickly by drawing in significant investment.

Dave Hughes
Novosound, 2017 Winner

Find your challenge

Holly for Home page
  • £50k top prize
  • £20k runner-up

Converge Challenge is open to high-calibre, innovative projects with serious growth potential. If you have a ground-breaking idea, this is the challenge for you.

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Faisal for Home page
  • £30k top prize
  • £10k runner-up

Designed to support Scotland’s efforts in becoming a carbon neutral nation by 2045, we welcome projects that can deliver maximum impact for Scotland’s net zero goal.

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2
  • £30k top prize
  • £10k runner-up

If you're a social shaker or creative thinker looking to change the world for the better, then this challenge is for you.

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which_challenge_kickstart
  • £10k top prize
  • £7.5k runner-up

KickStart Challenge is a first step towards commercialisation for early-stage business ideas. It’s designed to test the robustness of your idea, equip you for the realities of entrepreneurship and prepare you for our more advanced challenge categories.

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It all starts with an idea

Explore the remarkable business journeys of people like you here.

 

Bellrock Technology

Case study

From a team of two, to a team of 20! Meet Adam Brown, our first ever Converge Challenge winner.

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Fantasy Fibre Mill

Case study

The current global fashion industry is an exploitative and extractive system that pollutes the environment at every step in the supply chain. Rosie Bristow of Fantasy Fibre Mill wants to build a viable alternative.

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BioLiberty

Ross O'Hanlon, CTO, BioLiberty Case study

Most people spent lockdown baking banana bread, building back garden bars, or vegging to Netflix. Ross O’Hanlon and his pals decided to start a company instead.

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Danu Robotics

Case study

Did you know, less than 20% of domestic waste is recycled globally? Recognising the urgent need for a solution, Xiaoyan (Amy) Ma founded Danu Robotics and is on course to revolutionise the waste sorting process.

View case study