Closer industry engagement exemplified by new partnership with Orbital Marine Power

SCOTLAND must encourage industry to engage earlier with university researchers, spinout and start-up companies if it is to maximise the commercial impact of homegrown innovation, according to Converge.

Stronger early-stage collaboration between academia and industry will be critical to ensure university-led innovation is shaped by real-world market demand and equipped to scale successfully.

This call comes as Converge prepares to support its latest cohort of academic entrepreneurs, following a record number of applications to its 2026 programme.

With more than 120 founders from a broad range of sectors set to embark on its intensive entrepreneurial programme, Converge says the strength of Scotland’s innovation pipeline is clear, but that stronger commercial outcomes in future will depend on industry becoming involved earlier in the innovation journey.

Adam Kosterka, Executive Director of Converge, said: “Scotland’s universities continue to produce world-class research, exceptional talent and hugely promising early-stage ventures.

“The opportunity now is to ensure industry is engaging with those innovations earlier, helping shape ideas, challenge assumptions and guide development towards real market need.

“By bringing industry closer to researchers and university-born businesses at an earlier stage, we can help create stronger ventures, accelerate commercialisation and maximise the real-world impact of Scottish innovation.”

Converge says this approach will form an increasingly important part of how it evolves its support model in the years ahead, with a greater emphasis on sector-aligned partnerships that can provide founders with direct commercial insight, mentorship and market access.

One example of that approach is Converge’s new partnership with Orbital Marine Power (Orbital), pioneers of revolutionary floating tidal energy technology, which is supporting the organisation’s Blue Economy Award.

The prize recognises emerging university-led ventures developing innovations across marine, renewable and blue economy sectors, with Orbital’s backing adding sector expertise and mentorship alongside financial support.

Headquartered in Orkney, the technology developer’s involvement reflects a growing recognition among industry leaders that engaging with innovation earlier can help shape start-up businesses with stronger long-term commercial and practical relevance.

Andrew Scott, Orbital’s CEO, said: “Innovation is central to our business, so supporting the next generation of university-led ventures is a natural fit for us.

“Through our partnership with Converge, we want to help identify and support emerging businesses with strong potential across the blue economy and wider energy ecosystem.

“Equally importantly, it gives us the opportunity to engage directly with early-stage innovators, share practical insights from our own journey and help shape ideas that may have significant future application across marine and energy sectors.”

The announcement comes as Converge continues to expand its focus on supporting ventures operating in strategically important sectors for Scotland’s future economy.

Helen Cross, Director of Investment and Research at the Scottish Funding Council, said: “The Scottish Funding Council has funded Converge over the whole 15 years of its existence and it’s always exciting to see the latest cohort of Converge academic entrepreneurs.

“This year’s record level of applications demonstrates the depth of entrepreneurial talent emerging from Scotland’s universities. By helping academic entrepreneurs connect earlier with industry, investors and commercial partners, Converge is playing an important role in strengthening Scotland’s innovation pipeline and turning world-class research into businesses with real-world impact.”

Recent initiatives include the launch of its new Space Challenge, aimed at helping develop university-led ventures in Scotland’s growing space sector.

Kosterka added: “Scotland has many of the ingredients required to lead globally in innovation-led growth.

“What will determine our success is how effectively we connect research, entrepreneurship, industry and investment around the opportunities of the future.

“Our role is not only to support the creation of new ventures, but to help build the ecosystem around them that gives them the best chance of long-term success.”