Two University of the West of Scotland academics have made the 2017 shortlist of Scotland’s leading company creation competition, the Converge Challenge.
Professor Des Gibson and Dr Dave Hughes of the University’s Institute of Thin Films, Sensors and Imaging have both been shortlisted in the Converge Challenge’s Top 10.
Professor Des Gibson, founder and director of research Institute of Thin Films, Sensors & Imaging, has reached the Top 10 of the Converge Challenge with SpectralSense, a supplier of infrared sensors for the detection and identification of multiple gases in one instrument.
Dr Dave Hughes, a Research Fellow within the Institute, has reached the Top 10 of the Converge Challenge with Novosound, revolutionary sensors, systems and software for low cost, high resolution ultrasound imaging for the medical, dental, industrial and veterinary markets.
UWS has an impressive track record in the Converge Challenge having won category prizes in 2013 and 2015.
The judging process has shortlisted 25 nominees across the competition’s three award categories:
- Converge Challenge: for those with an established idea – 10 shortlisted
- KickStart: for early stage ideas – 10 shortlisted
- Social Enterprise: for ideas that will have a positive impact on social and environmental issues – 5 shortlisted
Dr Olga Kozlova, Director of Converge Challenge, said: “This year’s finalists are game changers showcasing innovations with amazing market potential. The candidate’s business plans displayed solid market engagement and commitment to developing a strong team and clear details on how they plan to grow the business – all key elements that contribute to the future success of a new business and ultimately Scotland’s economy.
“The strong pipeline of university spinouts is encouraging and at Converge Challenge we are delighted to offer the follow on training and support to develop these ‘ideas’ into profitable and scalable businesses.
“We congratulate all the candidates for getting through to this stage, the judges found it difficult as every project had the potential to become an exciting business and we have no doubt they will go on to become Scotland’s next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.”
Finalists will now go through to the final stage of the company creation competition and entrepreneurship development programme with the opportunity to win cash prizes and in kind business support packages from the total prize fund valued at over £170,000.
Converge Challenge is Scotland’s leading company creation competition and entrepreneurial development programme for staff, students, and recent graduates of Scottish universities and Research Institutes. Converge Challenge represents all of Scotland’s 19 universities and research institutes demonstrating the strong collaborative enterprise agenda in Scotland. It has trained 180 company founders and 120 early stage and social enterprise founders that have created 78 companies with a 43% incorporation rate. 77% of those companies have received follow-on funding totaling to £60 million and have a 78% survival rate post three years.
The winners of each of the three categories will be announced at a Converge Challenge awards ceremony on Thursday, 28th September 2017 at the Glasgow Science Centre.
For more information visit www.convergechallenge.com