Meet the finalists driving human-centred innovation

Pioneering projects tipped to be the businesses of tomorrow have been unveiled in the first wave of finalists to be announced by Converge in its 2025 competition. 

Born from cutting-edge research from 12 of Scotland’s universities, this year’s projects leverage transformative technologies such as quantum computing and biotechnology alongside established disciplines such as engineering and product design. United by a shared mission to solve real-world challenges and improve lives, this year’s finalists offer a compelling vision of university-led innovation with purpose at its core. 

Examples of this year’s shortlisted projects include: 

Dr. Luigi Manfredi of Softech Robotics, a medical technology start-up developing an AI-powered soft robotic colonoscope to screen for and treat bowel cancer, one of Scotland’s most pressing public health issues. Shortlisted in the Converge Challenge category and representing the University of Dundee, Softech Robotics pioneering technology aims to make the procedure safer, more comfortable and more cost-effective to improve early diagnosis and save lives. 

Competing in the Create Change Challenge — a category for creative, social, or cultural projects — are University of Strathclyde graduates, Alison Stobie and Daniel Brown from Neurodapt. Their low-tech wearable, an intuitive device helping to manage daily tasks without smartphone distractions, has been designed specifically for young neurodivergent users and offers real-time feedback via an e-ink screen to reduce stress and support independence. 

Aeroflow, founded by University of Edinburgh graduate, Sam Evans, is a finalist in the Net Zero Category, sponsored by SSE. The project aims to deliver real-world impact across the transport sector by reimagining traditional HGV trailer design. By reducing aerodynamic drag by up to 33% – a significant leap beyond current solutions – Aeroflow improves fuel efficiency, lowers emissions and extends range across diesel, electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Lastly, in the KickStart Challenge – a category for early-stage projects – Dr. Hanna Ostapenko, a Research Associate from Heriot-Watt University, is developing a compact, self-starting Ti:Sapphire laser that is smaller, cheaper and more robust than anything currently on the market. Her innovation aims to make advanced laser technology more accessible across multiple industries including the life sciences, aerospace, manufacturing and environmental monitoring. 

The rigorous selection, overseen by a panel of university enterprise experts, saw this year’s shortlist emerge from a highly competitive pool with all finalists demonstrating exceptional potential to address critical global challenges. To support their development, this year’s prize offerings have nearly doubled providing more opportunities than ever for vital early-stage funding and in-kind business support.  

This increase in prizes is partially fuelled by the addition of two limited-edition Challenges, supporting future founders working in hydrogen and the performing and production arts.  Finalists in these Challenge categories will be announced shortly.   

Adam Kosterka, Converge Executive Director comments; 

“It’s inspiring to see this year’s finalists reach such a pivotal stage in their entrepreneurial journey. What really stands out is their remarkable ability to translate cutting-edge university research into tangible solutions with real-world impact, perfectly highlighting the profound potential embedded within our universities. 

Converge is immensely proud to champion the groundbreaking work and entrepreneurial spirit emerging from Scotland’s universities and this year’s outstanding pool of finalists is testament to this. 

I want to congratulate all this year’s finalists and wish them all the very best of luck for this year’s Converge Awards.”  

Winners and runners-up will be named at the Converge Awards on Thursday 2 October at Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh. Attended by university principals, senior academic staff, business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors, this year’s speakers include Deputy Minister of Scotland, Kate Forbes; the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, Professor Steve Olivier and Dr Olga Kozlova, Director of Innovation and Engagement at Oxford University who originally founded Converge in 2011. 

The full list of finalists in the Converge, Net Zero, Create Change and KickStart Challenge categories is as follows: 

Converge Challenge

Create Change Challenge

Net Zero Challenge

KickStart Challenge