Tayside and Fife entries have come to the fore in a major company creation competition for students, graduates and staff from Scotland’s universities.
The Converge Challenge shortlist includes MyDiabetesMyWay from Dundee University’s Dr Deborah Wake. The online platform to help people with all types of diabetes is a new entry in the category for ideas that are established.
Two entries from Dundee University have made it to the final round in the KickStart section, for early stage ideas.
They are Automated Time-Resolved Cell Stretcher by Yuri Belotti, and Elementary Therapeutics by Dr David Foley.
An entry from St Andrews University, Beyond Metrics by Dr David Harris-Birtill, is also on the KickStart shortlist.
The Comics Studio by Dr Christopher Murray at Dundee University is on the shortlist of the social enterprise category, for ideas that will have a positive impact on social and environmental issues.
The shortlisted entries have emerged from a record 212 applicants, representing a 14% growth year on year. They are competing for a total prize fund of £150,000 through cash prizes and expert support and training through partners and sponsors.
Converge Challenge has opened a strong pipeline of new business ideas, and this year’s shortlists contain candidates from a mix of sectors.
These include renewables, food & drink, educational, construction, apps, beauty, healthcare software, security, digital retail and medical device digital healthcare.
The 2016 Converge Challenge programme attracted 17 of Scotland’s universities, with 30% of applications from undergraduates, 40% from postgraduates and 30% from staff.
A panel of judges made up of industry experts, leading entrepreneurs and investors from across the business community will assess the projects and select the winners at an awards ceremony in Edinburgh next month.
Converge Challenge director Olga Kozlova said: “This year’s top 10 are the best yet. Scotland’s dynamic and diverse economy is well represented in the range of businesses included.
“Our 2016 KickStart and Social Enterprise finalists are all new names to us, which shows a growing appetite in academia for start-ups.”
She said Converge Challenge is a vital opportunity for start-ups, with more than 80% of companies going on to secure over £34 million of funding and employing over 150 staff since 2011.
