Academic enterprise programme Converge has secured a record £1.26 million package from the Scottish Funding Council to support university innovators across Scotland over the next three years.

The funding commitment, running from 2026 to 2028, will allow Converge to support more university entrepreneurs.

Converge has also revealed a new strategic partnership with Scottish Enterprise that will help to create smoother pathways for university entrepreneurs to access business support, from initial concept through to business growth.

The funding announcements coincided with recipients across four main categories, sharing a total prize pot in excess of £400,000.

Adam Kosterka, executive director of Converge, said: “This funding commitment and strategic partnership represent a watershed moment for academic entrepreneurship in Scotland.

“The multi-year Scottish Funding Council investment provides the stability we need to plan long-term support for university innovators, while our collaboration with Scottish Enterprise creates enhanced end-to-end connectivity across Scotland’s innovation ecosystem.

“Together, we’re building a more coordinated approach to supporting brilliant ideas from Scotland’s universities as they develop into globally competitive businesses.”

Francesca Osowska, chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said: “We’re proud to have been able to support Converge’s impact on Scottish innovation and entrepreneurship for the past 14 years.

“Converge continues to be an integral part of our knowledge exchange and innovation infrastructure and plays an increasingly important role as a catalyst for the thriving and sustainable businesses we need for the future economy.”

Derek Shaw, director of entrepreneurship and investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “This evolution of our partnership with Converge will supercharge innovation and entrepreneurship within Scotland’s higher education landscape.”

This year’s cohort spanned healthcare, environmental technology, accessibility solutions, and sustainable transport.

University of Strathclyde’s Biosers claimed the top Converge Challenge prize with revolutionary 5-minute food safety testing technology, while University of Dundee’s New-Found-Hope won the Create Change category with the world’s first patent-pending early-intervention trainer for children with gait challenges. 

University of Edinburgh’s Aeroflow secured the Net Zero prize, with aerodynamic HGV trailers that reduce drag by 33%, and University of the Highlands and Islands’ Gestura won the KickStart category with AI-powered sign language translation technology.

The full list of Converge 2025 recipients is as follows: