Are you looking to use your creativity as a tool for change?
The Create Change Challenge is for creative, cultural and social impact projects looking to become sustainable businesses.
Our 2026 programme has now closed for applications.
What's in it for you?
The Create Change Challenge can be your springboard to success with equity-free cash prizes and bespoke training with a sharp focus on creative and social business needs. At the end of the programme, you will have gained the skills, confidence and network to make your idea a reality.
We welcome applications for both product and service-based ideas with the potential to develop into sustainable businesses that deliver either creative, cultural or social impact.
Network
Connect, learn, growBy joining our cohort of like-minded innovators, you'll benefit from expert guidance, invaluable connections and peer-to-peer support.
Training
Bespoke trainingAll successful applicants benefit from bespoke business training delivered by experts with real-world experience of starting and growing global businesses.
£50k +
Prize fundThe prize money will be shared between a winner and runner-up.
Plus
Alumni network and supportOnce you've completed our programme, you'll join a thriving and diverse community of Converge alumni spearheading breakthrough businesses.
Who can apply?
This is a broad category for social shakers, creative thinkers and cultural entrepreneurs looking to change the world for the better. Whether it’s a technical solution tackling mental health issues or a new cultural or educational tool bringing people together - and everything in between - then you’ve come to the right place.
Read our full terms and conditionsMembers of staff from all participating Scottish universities are welcome to apply including early-career researchers, academic and professional staff.
We welcome applications from postgraduate and undergraduate students from all participating Scottish universities.
Recent graduates (up to 36 months after graduation from the initial application date) from all participating 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 participating 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.
Applicants need to demonstrate validation of their product/service, early customer engagement, a viable route to market and be ready to start operating within twelve months of our annual Awards in October.
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)
Judging criteria
We’re looking for projects with creative, cultural or social impact that are grounded in sound market research and planning. Tell us if you'd like your application to be evaluated as either a creative or social project. For full judging criteria, see below:
Innovation
- For impact projects: novel solutions to social problems
- For creative projects: imagination and creativity
Impact
- Potential for long term financial sustainability and growth
- Specifically for social projects: tangible economic, social or environmental impact
Market validation
- Customer engagement
- Viable route to market
- Market fit
Team
- Relevant experience
- Planning for future team
Resource planning
- Understanding of market readiness requirements including funding, operations and logistics
What's involved?
Our challenges are split into four stages over a period of six months. Applications open on 28 January and are evaluated by a panel of university representatives.
Before you start your application, have a look at the questions you will be asked here.
If you're successful, we'll give you access to our online, on-demand training modules from 8 May. You'll then be invited to attend a one day, in-person regional training session w/c 25 May followed by intensive business training and pitching in Edinburgh* from w/c 1 June.
Having completed your training, you'll have the tools you need to prepare a business plan, financial forecast and 1-minute video pitch - all of which will be assessed by a panel of university representatives.
If you're shortlisted as a finalist, you'll be invited to attend further training on 9 September and to pitch your idea live to a panel of investors and business experts on 22 September. Winners will be announced at our annual Awards ceremony on 1 October 2026.
*Travel expenses for in-person training and events are available. We can also cover overnight accommodation and childcare costs.
- Application deadline
2 April - In-person regional training
w/c 25 May - In-person training & pitch event
w/c 1 June - Business plan submission
30 July - Investment training
9 September - Final pitches
22 September - Awards
1 October
Judging panel
Our expert judging panels are selected for their depth and breadth of entrepreneurial and business experience across the creative industries and social impact sector. Here's last year's panel to give you a flavour of who will be assessing your business idea.
Ross Isdale
Senior Associate Challenges GroupRoss Isdale is a Senior Associate at the Challenges Group, a family of social businesses committed to building prosperity and impact at a global level. Working within Challenges' Ventures and Investment team, Ross manages a Scottish Government-funded venture-building programme and investment facility focused on supporting Scottish-based enterprises to internationalise into sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
Ross has extensive experience of working within Scotland's Private, Third and International Development sectors with a particular emphasis on project management and business development.
Lynne Martin
Lynne Martin has over 10 years' experience in economic development and has led in the creation and delivery of business support and coaching to creative entrepreneurs, businesses, artists and designers across Scotland. With extensive experience of public speaking and performance she delivers pitching and presentation training, as well as design-led values based training to help organisations and businesses stay aligned with their purpose. Supporting individuals to realise their potential is core to the work that she does.
She believes in the power of collaboration, empathy, and kindness as qualities we can embody as we work together to create real and lasting change for the future.
Claudia Cavalluzzo
Director Venture Café EdinburghClaudia is the Director of Venture Café Edinburgh and a dedicated community builder with over a decade of experience connecting entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and creating spaces where early-stage ideas can flourish.
Her career in ecosystem building includes over six years leading Converge, Scotland’s premier launch platform for university entrepreneurs.
Before joining Venture Cafe, she served as the first Chief Operating Officer at global biotech firm MI:RNA, gaining direct, hands-on experience scaling operations within a fast-moving enterprise.
Claudia is an active member of Mint Ventures, an ESG angel syndicate supporting female-founded businesses, and advises early-stage companies across the life sciences sector.
Lauren Scott
Investment Manager FirstportLauren is an Investment Manager with Firstport, Scotland’s first port of call for social entrepreneurs and social enterprises. Her role there is to provide support to organisations which are looking to take on social investment, through Firstport’s two loan funds – Step Up and the Catalyst fund. Prior to joining Firstport, Lauren worked as a solicitor for a number of years, latterly specialising in advising social enterprises, charities, funders and representative bodies on matters of corporate, commercial and charity law. She has also spent time on secondment to OSCR, the Scottish charity regulator and had been a trustee of a number of charitable organisations including Foundation Scotland and The Melting Pot.
Want to chat about your idea?
Why not schedule a confidential one-to-one meeting with our experienced Enterprise team to explore your innovative idea in depth and discuss how we can support your journey.
Book an appointment