Impact Challenge Final & Awards

Andrew Christie, AgriLibra (James Hutton Institute)

Creating an accessible, equitable marketing opportunity for low carbon, low input arable intercrops to transform Scottish agriculture for the benefit of the farming community. In a novel business model aggregating intercrops as bulk mixed crop, the benefits of a new break crop option in rotation and increased biodiversity can be achieved without compromising streamlined, efficient production techniques in a modern farming system.

The potential effect on the industry cannot be understated as it will play a pivotal role in the drive for Net Zero in agriculture by 2040 whilst improving profitability for growers as part of a truly ‘just’ transition.

Erin Mckinstry, CrisisPolitics (University of Glasgow)

CrisisPolitics transforms how we understand, measure and respond to crises. We offer survey-based tools that help organisations identify perceived antagonisms, benchmark interventions, and make informed, depolarising decisions. Developed by Professor Georgios Karyotis and tested in UK and Greek elections, refugee crises and protest movements, our validated instruments deliver actionable insight beyond traditional polling. Erin McKinstry, a recent Politics/Spanish graduate with refugee sector experience, is joining the launch phase as a strategic partner through this challenge. Together, we aim to build a scalable, income-generating consultancy that turns cutting-edge research into practical solutions for inclusive, evidence-based crisis governance.

Li Chen, Flashsens Health (University of Glasgow)

Women’s fundamental healthcare needs continue to be undervalued. There are few medical device products designed specifically to meet women’s needs at different stages of their lifecycle. Flashsens aspires to close this gender gap and inequality in healthcare product provision. Flashsens is developing next generation rapid in-vitro diagnostic kit for personalised health monitoring. Our first product is being developed to detect critical hormone levels for women going through perimenopause or menopause.

Morven Summers, FussEat (Queen Margaret University)

The F.E.D-Method is a simple 3-step programme providing the tools busy parents need to ensure their child is eating healthy, well-balanced meals. Created by a trained nutritionist, it includes an in-depth understanding of developing eating habits, fun VEG-ativities, fussy-friendly recipes, and a supportive community, all designed to give parents the confidence they need while encouraging children to develop appetites for healthy food!

But we know we can do more!

So, we’re developing a range of online resources that deliver the F.E.D-Method in the press of a button, providing everything a parent needs to overcome fussy eating.

Oluwatosin Mayowa-David, HerUteria (Robert Gordon University)

HerUteria is a digital health platform designed to empower women managing underserved reproductive conditions like fibroids, PCOS, and endometriosis. It moves beyond basic cycle tracking by offering condition-specific symptom logging, personalised insights, and a supportive community. The platform enables users to identify patterns in their health data and generate informative reports for clinical consultations. By providing these tailored tools, HerUteria aims to bridge a significant gap in women’s healthcare, enabling better personal understanding and more productive conversations with healthcare providers.

Aatish Jayantakumar Dasmahapatra, JAAAD Carbonyze (University of Aberdeen)

JAAAD Carbonyze Ltd is developing a modular carbon-capture and utilisation (CCU) system that converts waste CO₂ and green hydrogen into low-carbon methanol for use as a fuel or feedstock. The company’s vision is to make carbon recycling affordable for small industrial emitters through compact, transportable reactor units. Our approach integrates validated reaction modelling, efficient thermal recovery, and smart control to achieve high CO₂ conversion at small scale. This innovation supports the UK’s net-zero goals by transforming CO₂ into a valuable circular-economy product.

Lukman Aminu Yusuf, Kumfa Tech (University of Glasgow)

We aim to address the global inadequacy and difficulty in wastewater treatment for harmful recalcitrant pollutants (such as Bisphenol  A (BPA), dyes, Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), caffeine, etc.), which are difficult to remove by conventional methods. Our solution involves a novel, environmentally friendly, chemical/catalyst-free sonochemical process using ultrasound to efficiently degrade and mineralised these pollutants.

Chelsea Jarvie, Neon Guard (University of Strathclyde)

Neon Guard is an age-intelligence platform that helps businesses understand whether online users are likely to be adults or minors without IDs or images. Delivered as a secure SaaS solution, it provides real-time, privacy-preserving age insights that support safer digital experiences and compliance with emerging global regulations. Designed for sectors such as social media, gaming, and advertising, Neon Guard offers a frictionless, ethical alternative to traditional age and identity checks. Our goal is to set a new standard for trust, accessibility, and online safety through intelligent, privacy-first age assurance.

Jemimah Maria Kuruvilla, Neuro BioMark (Heriot-Watt University)

Our AI-powered platform helps interpret motor neurone disease tissue samples, the disease Stephen Hawking lived with, quickly and consistently. Today, this work depends on a very small number of specialist pathologists, creating delays and limiting capacity for research and clinical insight. Our digital assistant highlights relevant disease features and supports consistent subtype identification through a simple, user-friendly web interface. It offers pathologists an efficient companion tool while also opening tissue analysis to non-specialists in academia, biotech and pharma. Co-designed with clinicians, it fits easily into existing workflows and is well positioned for future NHS and industry use.

Muhammad Ahmed Saeed, Patient Flow Bottleneck Explorer (Abertay University)

Hospitals are under immense pressure, with millions facing long waits and staff pushed to their limits.These delays mean exhausted clinicians, stressed families and slower access to care. Patient Flow “Bottleneck Explorer” gives NHS teams a simple way to spot problems before they happen whether it is staff shortages, full wards, or sudden demand surges. Unlike complex modelling tools or costly consultants, it is quick and easy to use. Co-designed with NHS staff, it turns hospital data into clear insights that help planners and operational teams make smarter decisions, keep care moving, saving time, money, and stress while improving patient care.

Cedric English, PiTCH (Edinburgh Napier University)

PiTCH (Players in Training, Coaching and Health) is an end-to-end monitoring and evaluation (M&E) platform with an integrated online Learning Management System (LMS) designed for resource-poor Sports for Development (SFD) organisations globally. Through the M&E function, the platform aims to support organisational sustainability through a data-driven monitoring and evaluation process by using reliable and valid instruments to amplify their social impact and foster community growth.  The LMS function aims to support organisations by standardising training, enabling remote workforce development, and ensuring critical knowledge retention for staff and volunteers across decentralised locations.

Panucci Patric Patthara-Ampha, VentriAir (University of Edinburgh)

A low-carbon ventilation system that uses natural wind energy to power both fresh air supply and stale air extraction in homes. Unlike conventional turbine ventilators that only remove air, this system provides balanced ventilation without electricity, improving indoor air quality while reducing heating and cooling energy losses. Designed for retrofit or new-build housing, it offers a cost-effective decarbonisation solution aligned with the UK’s net-zero targets and the growing need for healthier, resilient homes. Early simulations demonstrate performance that can meet residential ventilation standards using only renewable wind power.

Azadeh Emadi, Vibrant Tapestry (University of Glasgow)

In Vibrant Tapestry, our mission is to develop innovative tools and creative methodologies that empower individuals with dual sensory impairments to navigate and communicate in both virtual and physical spaces. We aim to reshape the world’s perception by learning from the community, assessing existing audio-visual tools and immersive technologies and enhancing artistic performance settings. Our innovative TouchTool Cap is here to facilitate the creation and consumption of immersive content from perspectives of individuals with sensory impairments. Through our commitment to inclusivity, we will foster interconnected experiences and technologies that ultimately enrich society as a whole.

Emily Youngs, WombWise (Edinburgh Napier University)

Our goal is to reduce the time to diagnosis for conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by up to 80%, improving quality of life and empowering millions of women to better understand their bodies. WombWise is a biochemical health monitor used through wearable devices such as Oura Ring and Apple Watch. Current diagnostic methods for endometriosis are invasive and lack a recognised biomarker. WombWise addresses this gap by analysing physiological patterns linked to hormonal and inflammatory activity to establish a non-invasive digital biomarker. This enables earlier detection, evidence-based support, and improved outcomes for women’s reproductive health.

Carolyn Kent & Susan Anderson, Women’s Football Hub
(Queen Margaret University & Glasgow Caledonian University)

Women’s Football Hub CIC empowers women and girls in football through creating research backed performance resources, including global expert podcasts, and community-building initiatives. Our upcoming event, Boots, Boobs and Banter, combines female health education, a Q&A session with women in sport, and comedy to encourage our community to participate in playing, coaching, and refereeing. Growth is supported through our environmentally conscious merchandise store and partnerships with organisations including Walking Football Scotland. Our health and wellbeing focus, led by experienced coaches and health care professionals, aims to increase female involvement in football ahead of the 2035 UK hosted Women’s World Cup.