Thinking of taking the entrepreneurial leap? Let Converge guide you through the ups and downs of starting a business. 

Open to staff, students and recent graduates across all of Scotland’s universities, Converge is the go-to platform of choice for academic entrepreneurs looking to commercialise their research, business idea or innovation.  

Even if you’re a complete beginner with no experience of starting a business, Converge can help springboard your idea from concept to reality through intensive training, 1-2-1 support, connections and professional advice from their network of industry partners. There are also game-changing, equity-free cash prizes to be won to get your business off the ground!   

Interested? Choose from one of the four categories below: 

  • Converge Challenge – open to high-calibre, innovative projects with serious growth potential  
  • Create Change Challenge – open to innovators looking to use their creativity as a tool for change 
  • Net Zero Challenge – sponsored by SSE, this category is for climate-conscious entrepreneurs developing low-carbon solutions for a fairer, greener world 
  • KickStart Challenge – this category is for early-stage entrepreneurs embarking on the first steps of the commercialisation journey 

For more information and to apply visit www.convergechallenge.com Deadline for submissions is Tuesday 5 April (12 noon). 


What is Converge?                         

An annual competition for aspiring academic entrepreneurs 

Who can apply?                               

University staff, students & recent graduates (within 24 months of graduation) across all of Scotland  

Benefits:                                             

£310k prize pot; intensive business training; business validation  

Entries open:                                    

Wednesday 26 January 2022 

Deadline for entries:                      

Tuesday 5 April at 12 noon 

Previous winners:                           

Marwa Ebrahim – University of Glasgow                                          

First published: 28 January 2022