Impact Challenge cohort unveiled

A brand new cohort of purpose-driven academics is beginning their entrepreneurial journey with the announcement of successful applicants to Converge’s Impact Challenge, in partnership with the Ventures Lab. 

Sixteen projects, representing a broad sweep of Scotland’s Universities, have been successful in gaining a place on the programme, which is designed to empower future founders to build ventures that prioritise people and planet alongside profit. 

The successful candidates cover a huge swathe of subject areas, including: 

• Health and wellbeing- AI-driven diagnostics for neurodegenerative disease, femtech addressing underserved women’s healthcare space including issues such as PCOS, endometriosis and menopause, nutrition for children, and mental health of NHS staff; 

• Climate and sustainability – targeting improvements in the food we eat, the water we drink, the comfort of our homes and the big picture of achieving net zero carbon; 

• Inclusive communities- using the power of football to foster personal confidence and community growth, and using technology to provide people with disabilities new ways to interact with their environment. 

Deputy director of Converge, Dr Lissa Herron, commented on the cohort announcement:  “We were overwhelmed with the number of applications to this programme with over five projects submitting for every place available.  The quality of submissions was extremely high and we are excited to see how these early-stage ideas develop.” 

Converge’s strategic partner for impact, The Ventures Lab, is co-delivering the Impact Challenge.   Director of venture services, Angie Lee, commented: “This new cohort of innovators are committed to creating meaningful change through enterprise.  Over the coming weeks they will begin a focused journey to sharpen their impact, strengthen their business case and build confidence.” 

The cohort will participate in an intensive 2-day entrepreneurial business training session in January, after which they will prepare business cases and pitches for the final judging in March, where they will compete for a £10,000 prize fund of cash and in-kind business support. 

The successful projects on the cohort are: