University spin-off projects in Converge Challenge finals
Published On Thu 6 Sep 2018 by Roddy Isles
The finalists have been revealed for the 2018 Converge Challenge, Scotland’s premier company creation programme. The University of Dundee has two innovative projects shortlisted in the Converge and KickStart categories.
Representing the University is Professor Angus Lamond who founded a Data Management spinout company, Platinum Informatics. The company looks to maximise the efficiency and productivity of the modern workplace by enabling access to Big Data Technology.
The University has also secured a place in the Kickstart category, aimed at early stage ideas, thanks to postgraduate student Atanas Chillingirov. His fledgling business idea, Immernova, focuses on converting 2D Medical MRI scans to 3D and their visualisation within mixed reality.
Emerging technologies and much needed industry innovations are showcased by the twenty-three entrepreneurs that have been shortlisted. Ranging from early stage projects to established start-up and spin-out businesses, the finalists will head to Edinburgh later this month to take part in the awards ceremony of the 2018 Converge Challenge programme.
Renowned venture capitalist and serial investor, Paul Atkinson, founder of Par Equity and a member of the Converge Challenge Strategic Advisory Board, believes that high calibre of entries this year is a direct result of Scotland’s Higher Education Institutions’ continued support of innovative projects and ideas.
Paul said, “Converge Challenge is a transformative programme which combines business support, training and mentoring as a complete package to support the business creation process. This sets Converge Challenge apart as Scotland’s most prestigious company creation programme for our academic community. It continuous to nurture disruptive innovative companies generating a much needed pipeline of high quality investable propositions.”
There are 23 finalists across the three categories which sit under the Converge Challenge. Seven finalists in the Converge category aimed at businesses ready to incorporate, ten in the KickStart Programme for early stage ideas and six in the Social Enterprise category aimed towards businesses creating positive impact on social and environmental issues.
Dr. Olga Kozlova, director of Converge Challenge, expressed her gratitude to every Higher Education Institution in Scotland for continuing to encourage participation in Converge Challenge.
She said, “Scottish Universities are strongly committed to contributing to the Scottish Government’s economic strategy. For the university-based entrepreneurs their entrepreneurial journey starts with Converge Challenge – crystallising the business idea and making them part of the highly supportive ecosystem. We are delighted with such a strong cohort of projects and look forward to working with them in the months to come.”
The Converge Challenge 2018 winners will be announced at a gala dinner and ceremony on Thursday 20th September at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh where a total prize pot of £160,000 and in-kind business support await the winners and runners up.
The full list of finalists is;
Converge Challenge –
Carbogenics – Jan Mumme - University of Edinburgh
Cytochroma – Kate Cameron – University of Edinburgh
Kenoteq – Samuel Chapman – Heriot Watt University
mycoBiologics – Fiona Rudkin – University of Aberdeen
MycoNourish – Peter Orrell – James Hutton Institute – Dundee
Teqnox – Carmen Cummiskey – University of Strathclyde
Platinum Informatics – Angus Lamond – University of Dundee
KickStart –
Silver Lion Innovations Ltd - Ruth McLaren - University of Strathclyde
HiRes Solutions - Vassiliki Voulgaridou/Vassilis Sboros - Heriot-Watt University
Vector Photonics - Richard Taylor - University of Glasgow
ThermoDrone - Simone Mattsson - Heriot-Watt University
AquaOmics - Dr Mary Doherty University of Highlands & Islands
Immernova - Atanas Chilingirov - University of Dundee
Crover Ltd - Lorenzo Conti - University of Edinburgh
SiMologics - Mohammed Al Qaraghuli - University of Strathclyde
Infinect - Dr. Carolina Mateo-Segura - Heriot-Watt University
Seawater Solutions - Yanik Nyberg - University of Strathclyde.
Social Enterprise –
One Cherry - Anton Puzorjov - University of Edinburgh
Lilypads - Alison Wood - University of Edinburgh
criticalcarerecovery.com - Dr Pam Ramsay - Edinburgh Napier University
Youcan Recycling - Thomas Bayne - Abertay University
CogniHealth - Pranav Shakti - University of Edinburgh
Health Design Collective - Dr Kavi C Jagadamma - Queen Margaret University
About Converge Challenge;
Converge Challenge is the leading, pan Scotland, company creation programme for staff, students and recent graduates of Scottish Universities and Research Institutes with the aim of creating a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
Converge brings together the most ambitious and creative thinkers from academia, research & business. We work with ALL industry sectors, products and service-based ideas at any stage of the development.
By providing high quality training, hands-on mentoring and practical support, including cash prizes, Converge Challenge helps to refine and accelerate the pipeline of spin-outs and start-ups by developing fledgling businesses into investor ready companies.
Converge Challenge represents all of Scotland’s Universities and Research Institutes, demonstrating the strong collaborative enterprise agenda in Scotland. It has trained over 200 company founders and has worked with 180 early stage and social enterprise projects. Together, Converge Alumni have created more than 100 companies that have collectively raised in excess of £74 million and have a 80% survival rate after three years.
Pictured (left to right): Peter Orrell, Carmen Cummiskey, Sam Chapman, Lidia Krzynowek, Angus Lamond, Fiona Rudkin, Kate Cameron
Photographer credit: Lloyd Smith
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head of Corporate Communications
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384910
Mobile: 07800 581902
Email: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk