The Ventures Lab Award
Support for purpose-led ventures
With support from the Scottish Government, The Ventures Lab aims to build a broad and inclusive market for social ventures in Scotland. Using their unique social venture building and investment facility approach, they are creating an environment where innovative purpose-led ventures can attract a range of partners and investors to help them realise social impact globally.
If you have a game-changing idea that addresses a significant societal challenge, this award can help you achieve sustainable impact at scale.
What's in it for you?
Winning this award will give your project a £10,000 financial boost. You'll also receive a package of tailored support including a dedicated Ventures Lab manager to help refine your business plan and prepare you for their investment committee.
£10k cash prize
£10k cash prize for the individual or university where the project originated.
Support package
A tailored package of support including a dedicated Ventures Lab manager. Successful candidates may secure up to £100k interest-free from Ventures Lab's in-house investment facility.
PR and promotion
Inclusion in our winners’ press release sent to local, regional and national media.
Who can apply?
This prize is available to all Converge participants who complete their training and submit a business case. Innovations can be in any market sector, provided you can clearly articulate a defined challenge/problem; a strong understanding of the market; an evidence-based, realistic go-to-market plan; the potential to scale the solution internationally.
IBioIC Award
Help for Industrial BioTech Businesses
Scotland is a global powerhouse for industrial biotechnology innovation with the race to net zero offering even more opportunities to grow the sector. If you have a new biotechnology process or product that addresses a real market need, then this Award can help you to make it a commercial reality.
What's in it for you?
Winning this award will give your project a £20,000 financial boost plus a package of tailored benefits including a dedicated IBioIC account manager.
Jessica Birt, Concinnity Genetics, 2023 winner
£20k cash prize
£20k cash prize for the university where the project originated.
Support package
A tailored package of support including a free annual IBioIC membership and a dedicated IBioIC account manager.
PR and promotion
Inclusion in our winners’ press release sent to local, regional and national media.
Who can apply?
We welcome projects in all areas of Industrial Biotechnology including, but not limited to: Biorefining; Food and drink; Biotech in textiles and materials; Biomanufacturing; Biotechnology in waste management; Enzymes and catalysts; Downstream processing; Agritech; Biopharmaceuticals