New Impact Challenge for purpose-driven innovators launched

A new Challenge aimed at helping university-born innovators transform their mission-driven ideas into sustainable businesses has been launched today by Converge and its strategic partner, The Ventures Lab.

The Impact Challenge is designed to empower researchers and early-stage founders who are solving real-world problems, driving change in communities and building ventures that prioritise people and planet alongside profit.

Delivered together by Converge and The Ventures Lab, the programme supports participants in taking the first step towards commercialising their idea. It offers participants a comprehensive package of support including an in-person business training programme, expert mentorship and the opportunity to compete for funding.

Eligible project themes include health & wellbeing, climate & sustainability, inclusive communities, future work & skills and social systems & policy.  Projects should be Scotland-based, impact-driven and have the potential to grow across Scotland or globally.  It’s expected that projects will be at a very early stage of development.

Adam Kosterka, executive director of Converge, said:  “Enabling founders to create impact from their innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Converge, and this new Challenge is the perfect opportunity for anyone at an early stage of their entrepreneurial journey to test and validate their idea, and learn the skills they will need to succeed in the commercial world.”

Demand is expected to be high for a limited number of places on this programme. Applications close on 25 November, with an intensive in-person training session taking place in Edinburgh from 7-8 January 2026.

Participants will then be eligible for Converge’s other Challenges, which open for applications from January 29 and close on April 2.

More information on the Impact Challenge can be found here.