Innovation has the power to transform lives and create lasting change. By accelerating mission-driven ideas and research, we can strengthen communities, drive inclusive growth and ensure that innovation serves people and the planet. With Scotland’s universities leading the way in socially responsible enterprise, this limited-edition Impact Challenge invites innovators to develop bold, scalable ideas that deliver measurable benefit for people or planet – driving systemic change in Scotland and beyond.
Impact Challenge
The Impact Challenge is designed to accelerate mission-driven, early-stage ideas and academic projects tackling society’s biggest challenges.
This limited-edition Challenge has been created in collaboration with The Ventures Lab to support staff and students from Scotland’s universities developing innovative solutions that will benefit the economy, society or the environment.
What’s in it for you?
By taking part in this Challenge, you’ll begin turning your mission-driven idea into a sustainable venture - one that delivers tangible impact for people, communities and the planet.
Network
Connect, learn, growBy joining our cohort, you'll connect with a select group of peers from across Scotland's University sector and benefit from direct mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and experts from The Ventures Lab.
Training
Bespoke business trainingAll successful applicants will attend a bespoke business training programme designed and delivered by the experienced teams at Converge and The Ventures Lab.
£10k
Prize fundIn addition to the training programme, successful applicants will have the opportunity to compete for a £10k prize fund of cash and in-kind business support:
Winner: £3k equity-free cash plus in-kind support
Runner-up: £1k equity-free cash plus in-kind support
Plus
Alumni network and supportOnce you complete the programme, you’ll become part of a vibrant Converge alumni community - innovators leading groundbreaking businesses across every sector and stage of growth. You’ll also receive continued support from The Ventures Lab to help you scale your ideas and create lasting impact.
Who can apply?
Applicants to the programme will be staff, students or recent graduates of Scottish universities working on mission-driven projects with the potential to deliver meaningful social or environmental impact. For many, participation in this programme will be the first step towards commercialisation - an opportunity to test, validate and strengthen ideas while gaining the skills needed to turn research into real-world change.
Here are the types of impact-led projects that are eligible to apply:
- Health and Wellbeing: innovations that improve quality of life, healthcare delivery, accessibility or mental health support
- Climate and Sustainability: solutions addressing energy efficiency, resource management, waste reduction or environmental resilience
- Inclusive Communities: technologies and initiatives that promote equality, education and opportunities for underrepresented groups
- Future Work and Skills: projects supporting employability, fair work and skills development in a changing economy
- Social Systems and Policy: data-driven or digital tools that improve how we understand, design and deliver social services or public policy
Members of staff from all Scottish universities are welcome to apply including early-career researchers, academic and professional staff.
We welcome applications from postgraduate and undergraduate students from all Scottish universities.
Recent graduates (up to 36 months after graduation from the initial application date) from all Scottish universities are eligible to apply.
Team and joint applications are welcome provided one member of the team is a staff member, student or recent graduate from a Scottish university.
Applicants must plan to have their business headquartered in Scotland.
Active participation in all training sessions and events is mandatory for the lead applicant. For key dates, see the 'What's involved' section on this web page.
You must either own or have the right to use and commercially exploit all Intellectual Property Rights related to your business idea.
This challenge is aimed at very early-stage projects that have the potential to become high-growth businesses. Applicants need to demonstrate feasibility and preliminary market research.
If you do have an existing company, it must be dormant, non-trading or trading for no longer than 24 months with a secured income not higher than £200,000 (including but not limited to grants, investment, loans, revenue, prizes).
(TRLs) are a scale used to measure the maturity of a technology during its development. To apply for this challenge, we recommend TRL 1-3.
Judging criteria
Impact Challenge applications will be judged on the strength of the idea, the potential for measurable social or environmental benefit and the sustainability of the business model. We’re looking for individuals and teams with the drive to turn purpose into impact - building ventures that create meaningful change while remaining commercially viable.
Impact
Innovation
Demonstration of market need
Understanding of your market and customers
Clarity of product/service development plan
Viability of proposed business model
What’s involved?
If you're successful, you'll be invited to attend two-days of in-person business training held in Edinburgh in January. You'll then be invited to put forward a business case before the final pitching and awards at the start of March.
- Information Sessions
12 & 19 November - Application deadline
25 November - Training
7 & 8 January - Business case submission
5 February - Winners announcement
6 March
Next steps
Thinking of applying but still have questions? Check out our handy pre-application guide, sign up for an information session (12 November or 19 November) or book time with our Enterprise Team.
Remember, we need your completed application by 1pm on Tuesday 25 November!