Converge Challenge 2025
.jpg "Promotional image for the converge challenge 2025, featuring Ciara Bow")
Converge 2025: applications now open!
Are you a UHI student, staff member, or recent graduate with a groundbreaking idea, research, or innovation? Converge 2025 is looking for 100 aspiring academic innovators to take part in this transformative programme—designed to help you develop your idea into a real-world business.
As the only initiative of its kind in Scotland, Converge provides the training, expertise, and connections you need to build a successful, sustainable business. Since 2011, it has partnered with universities across Scotland, supporting hundreds of academic entrepreneurs in turning research into thriving ventures.
Designed to support university staff, students and recent graduates from across Scotland, the Converge programme provides the knowledge, expertise and connections you need to develop and grow a thriving, sustainable business.
Why apply?
Converge specialise in supporting academics on their journey to becoming successful entrepreneurs through a blend of bespoke business training, professional connections, funding and peer-to-peer support.
- Training from real-world entrepreneurs
- Access to professional networks and mentors
- Equity-free cash prizes for top projects
- Be part of a diverse cohort from across Scottish universities
Completing your application is just the first step. If you secure a place on this prestigious programme, you’ll join a cohort of 100 like-minded individuals, all dedicated to shaping the future through entrepreneurship.
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 2 April 2025, at 12 noon.
Eligibility
Eligibility
The competition is open to students and staff across our partnership. Recent graduates (within 36 months of graduation) are also eligible.
The competition is free to enter. You only need to commit to participating in Converge training and events. You will also need to prepare and make sure you stick to the programme deadlines.
The four challenges
The four challenges
1. Converge Challenge: £115k prize fund
Open to high-calibre, innovative projects with serious growth potential. If you have a ground-breaking business proposition, this is the challenge for you.
2. Net Zero Challenge: £64k prize fund
Designed to support the global drive to net zero, we welcome projects that can accelerate positive environmental impact in Scotland and beyond.
3. Create Change Challenge: £56k prize fund
Open to social impact and creative entrepreneurs looking to change the world for the better.
4. KickStart Challenge: £40k prize fund
Designed to test and validate your idea and to prepare you for the realities of entrepreneurship. Open to prospective start-ups and spinouts.
How to apply
How to apply
You can read more about the various challenges, decide which one’s for you, and apply online via the Converge website.
Converge is also hosting regular workshops on key aspects of business creation, or you can reach out to them for tailored advice.
Application Information Sessions
Application Information Sessions
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Join one of these sessions to find out everything you need to know, including what our judges look for in a successful proposal. The Converge team can also offer practical tips and tailored advice to help your application stand out.
Any questions?
Any questions?
If you would like to discuss, find out more information, or need support with your application, please contact Darlene Russell, Knowledge Exchange, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer.
UHI Converge success stories
Dr Georgina Robinson
In 2023, Dr Georgina Robinson, a research associate at SAMS, a partner of UHI, was crowned the Converge Challenge winner and received £50,000 in cash and £20,000 in in-kind business support!
'N-ovatio-N' helps meet Scotland’s Net Zero targets through a circular economy solution that upcycles waste into high value feed ingredients in the form of marine worms. Their solution centres around net zero solutions for the Scottish salmon farming sector and global aquaculture industry.
.jpg "Ciara Bow sitting next to a copper distiller")
Ciara Bow
Ciara Bow made it through to the 2024 Create Change Challenge final with her project to bring craft distilling back to Sutherland at Gledfield Distillery.
Ciara studied sociology and criminology at UHI Inverness, and later fabrication and welding with performing engineering operations at Nigg Skills Academy. Inspired by her great-great-grandmother Marjorie MacBeath, who was born in 1884 and lived on a croft where she distilled spirits illicitly, Ciara is set to bring her family’s age-old botanical spirit recipe back to life. The spirit is similar to gin but is made using oats, which she is led to believe is a world first.
.jpg "Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka in a colourful gown, standing in front of a sign for Van Fill")
Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka
Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka, who studied English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at UHI Inverness, made it to the semi-finals of the Net Zero Challenge in 2024, with her project VanFill.
VanFill is an app that will help to connect anyone searching to transport their goods with transport providers who have empty spaces in their vans and trucks. By doing so, VanFill aims to reduce transportation costs, save time, and cut carbon emissions thanks to optimising and reducing the number of empty and half-empty runs of transport providers.
Roma Gibb
Roma Gibb, a UHI nursing graduate and founder of Person Centred Solutions, created the 'Bed Band' to improve sleep for people with mobility issues, She developed the device while working on hospital wards as part of her degree. She noticed that getting a good night’s sleep is a major challenge for people with mobility issues as they struggle to maintain a comfortable and safe position in bed.
She was a runner-up in the 2022 KickStart Challenge, receiving £7,500 to develop her product. And in 2023, she was a finalist in the Create Change Challenge.