Completing your application is just the first step on your Converge journey. If successful, you’ll be part of a dynamic cohort of like-minded individuals all focused on turning their bright business idea into a valuable proposition and a successful company.
Some of the highlights along the way include bespoke business training, live pitching and the chance to meet and learn from our network of professional partners.
Make sure you submit your application by 12 noon on Tuesday 5 April. Need help with your application? Our Enterprise team hosts regular workshops on key aspects of business creation, or you can reach out to them for bespoke advice.
Many of our alumni tell us that one of the most valuable parts of their Converge experience is our money-can’t-buy business training programme.
Completely bespoke and designed specifically for academic entrepreneurs, our intensive course is delivered by EBS, training experts with real-world experience of starting and growing companies across diverse sectors and global markets. Taking place in May for KickStart and in June for our Converge, Net Zero and Create Change categories, our practical, hands-on and engaging course includes pitch coaching to help you articulate your business idea with confidence and in any situation.
Once you’ve completed your online training, you’ll be invited to attend a full day of face-to-face masterclasses with our network of professional partners who are experts across a number of disciplines including intellectual property, legal, accounting, product design and human resources.
If you’re in our KickStart cohort, masterclasses will take place in Glasgow on 26 May, followed by a peer-to-peer pitching competition on the same evening. For our advanced categories, masterclasses will take place in Edinburgh on 22 June. You will then be asked to pitch live to an audience of investors and business influencers at our Inside Innovation pitching event on 23 June.
Now that you’ve completed your training, it’s time to submit your business plan. Converge, Create Change and Net Zero participants will need to submit an 8-page business plan, financial forecast and 1-minute video pitch, while KickStart participants will submit a 5-page business case and 1-minute video pitch. Make sure you get this to us by noon on Monday 1 August at the latest.
If you’re eligible, August is also the time to apply for one of our Special Awards. Sponsored by Cisco and the Royal Bank of Scotland, each prize is worth £10,000 in equity free cash!
Shortlisted finalists will be notified in early September, and if you’re a Converge, Create Change or Net Zero finalist, you’ll be invited to attend further training.
Shortlisted finalists will be notified in early September, and if you’re a Converge, Impact or Creative Challenge finalist, you’ll put everything you’ve learned into practice by pitching your idea live to our panel of external judges. All finalists will be invited to attend our Awards ceremony on 3 November.
Congratulations if you’ve made it this far! You’re now in the running to win a game-changing prize package that includes equity-free cash and in-kind business support from our network of professional partners. Good luck!
Dedicated events, workshops, access to the Converge Enterprise team and opportunities to get involved in future activities and publicity.
Ready to take the leap? Now you need to decide with challenge is right for you.
