Previous workshops
Get your business off the ground (23 mar)
If you have a bright business idea and need help navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business, then Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer world-class business training, a dynamic network, valuable investor connections, 1-2-1 support and generous, equity-free cash prizes […]
Start-up Funding
This workshop will provide emerging entrepreneurs with an overview of the various funding options available to start-up/spinout companies in Scotland. As well as analysing different funding routes, we will advise on which ones should be considered depending on your stage of business development. The session will also demystify some of the industry myths and jargon. […]
How to succeed as a female founder
Only one in five of Scotland’s entrepreneurs are women, while start-ups led by female founders receive only two percent of overall investment capital. These stark reminders of the gender imbalance in the entrepreneurial landscape, highlighted in the recently-published “Pathways” report by Ana Stewart and Mark Logan, provoke deep and searching questions about why this is […]
Business models and route to market
How will your business make money? How will your product or service reach your customers? In a post-COVID world, sustainable business models and routes to market are more important than ever. In this 1-hour interactive workshop, we will introduce you to various business models and help you decide the most appropriate route to market for […]
From idea to market: getting your business ready
Starting a business is about more than money. You will require a variety of resources at different stages of development. This 1-hour interactive workshop will cover the skills, people, infrastructure and funding needs that you need to consider as your project moves from idea to market. Using a real-life case study, you will follow a […]
Get your business idea off the ground (23 feb)
If you have a bright business idea and need help navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business, then Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer world-class business training, a dynamic network, valuable investor connections, 1-2-1 support and generous, equity-free cash prizes […]
Understanding your market and customers
You may have heard that 90% of new businesses fail, but what’s the story behind this scary statistic? Most of these failures are linked to a poor understanding of customer needs and target markets. This 1-hour interactive workshop will teach you the first steps of interacting with your potential customers and using their feedback to […]
Understanding intellectual property
Intellectual property is an essential part of innovative new businesses and can be one of their main assets. But what do we mean by innovation and intellectual property, and how can a young business best exploit the intellectual property at its disposal? This 1-hour interactive workshop will cover: • Why is innovation important? • What is […]
Get your business idea off the ground (31 jan)
If you have a bright business idea and need help navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business, then Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer world-class business training, a dynamic network, valuable investor connections, 1-2-1 support and generous, equity-free cash prizes […]
Start-up funding
This workshop will provide emerging entrepreneurs with an overview of the various funding options available to start-up/spin-out companies in Scotland. This session will analyse different funding routes and will advise on which ones should be considered depending on the business development stage. The session will also demystify some of the industry myths and jargon. Participants […]
Business models and routes to market
How will your business make money? How will your product or service reach your customers? In a post-COVID world, sustainable business models and routes to market are more important than ever. In this 1-hour interactive workshop, we will introduce you to various business models and help you decide the most appropriate route to market for […]
From idea to market: getting your business ready
Starting a business is about more than money. You will require a variety of resources at different stages of development. This 1-hour interactive workshop will cover the skills, people, infrastructure and funding needs that you need to consider as your project moves from idea to market. Using a real-life case study, you will follow a […]
Understanding your market and customers
You may have heard that 90% of new businesses fail, but what’s the story behind this scary statistic? Most of these failures are linked to a poor understanding of customer needs and target markets. This 1-hour interactive workshop will teach you the first steps of interacting with your potential customers and using their feedback to […]
Understanding intellectual property
Intellectual property is an essential part of innovative new businesses and can be one of their main assets. But what do we mean by innovation and intellectual property, and how can a young business best exploit the intellectual property at its disposal? This 1-hour interactive workshop will cover: Why is innovation important? What is Intellectual […]
Choosing a legal structure
The legal structure you choose for your business has a profound impact on company ownership, your ability to raise funding and investment, and your long-term exit strategy. How do you decide which is most appropriate to achieve your goals and drive the impact you aspire to? Colin McMillan from Firstport guides you through what the […]
Business models and routes to market (30 Mar)
How will your business make money? How will your product or service reach your customers? In a post-COVID world, sustainable business models and routes to market are more important than ever. In this 1-hour interactive workshop, we will introduce you to various business models and help you decide the most appropriate route to market for […]
Information and application session (29 Mar)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Conversations for the Curious: “But what if I succeed?”
In our previous edition of “Conversations for the Curious” we examined the fear of failure and why that often holds female would-be entrepreneurs back, in a way that isn’t so common in their male counterparts. In this “Conversation”, we examine how fear of success can also be a barrier. “If my business succeeds, I might […]
Breaking the second glass ceiling – a “how-to” guide for female founders looking for investment
More women than ever are starting new businesses in Scotland*, but how can they meet the challenges of securing investment and scaling up? In a world where only 14% of all capital raised goes to women-led businesses, and women start their businesses with 53% less capital than men do, how can we address this imbalance, […]
Information and application session (22 Mar)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Information and application session (15 Mar)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Conversations for the Curious: “But what if I fail?”
Fear of failure is often cited as a barrier for women thinking about starting their own business. And while more women than ever are becoming entrepreneurs, research suggests that if women started up and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men, then up to £250bn of new value could be added to the UK […]
Information and application session (8 Mar)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Information and application session (1 Mar)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Information and application session (22 Feb)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Information and application session (15 Feb)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Information and application session (8 Feb)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
From idea to market: getting your business ready (2 Feb)
Starting a business is about more than money. You will require a variety of resources at different stages of development. This 1-hour interactive workshop will cover the skills, people, infrastructure and funding needs that you need to consider as your project moves from idea to market. Using a real-life case study, you will follow a […]
Information and application session (1 Feb)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Understanding your markets and customers (26 Jan)
You may have heard that 90% of new businesses fail, but what’s the story behind this scary statistic? Most of these failures are linked to a poor understanding of customer needs and target markets. This 1-hour interactive workshop will teach you the first steps of interacting with your potential customers and using their feedback to […]
Information and application session (25 Jan)
Make your bright business idea a reality with the help of Converge! Find out how to apply and what our judges look for. Navigating the ups and downs of starting a new business? Converge is here to help. Designed for staff, students and recent graduates of all Scottish universities, we offer intensive business training; a […]
Understanding intellectual property (19 Jan)
Intellectual property is an essential part of innovative new businesses and can be one of their main assets. But what do we mean by innovation and intellectual property, and how can a young business best exploit the intellectual property at its disposal? This 1-hour interactive workshop will cover: Why is innovation important? What is Intellectual […]
Creative Communications
Does the thought of communicating your idea fill you with dread? Have no fear, this essential skill is one that can be mastered and, if you have a background in the performing arts, you already understand how to connect with your audience. Find out how to communicate your business idea clearly and credibly at this […]
What Investors REALLY want to hear from your Pitch
Are you a founder, director or manager considering raising investment? Do you need strategic, practical advice? Would you like to take your pitch from good to great? If the answer is yes, then join Converge and investment expert, Finlay Kerr from Frejz/invest for an informative session on investor readiness. This lively, interactive session will cover: Equity investment and […]
Creativity and Impact
If you want to create social or environmental impact through your creative practice, this one’s for you. It’s a practical session which will walk you through how to think, act and create a socially impactful creative endeavour. It will demystify some well-used terms and help you define your values, vision and impact. You’ll hear about […]
Digital media for creatives
For creative businesses, social and digital media are essential ways of connecting with your audience, building your brand and awareness of your creative practice. This workshop will help you define a digital strategy, knowing what platforms to focus on and why. We’ll examine the role of your website, ecommerce sites such as Etsy, email campaigns, […]