Finalists announced for Converge Challenge

The Converge Challenge programme is open to staff and students of all Scottish Universities and Research Institutes and has a total prize fund of over £150,000.

After a series of pitching events throughout the year saw 212 budding entrepreneurs from 17 universities pitch their business ideas, the 2016 competition is now drawing to a close.

The top six finalists for 2016 are:

• Professor Marc Desmulliez, MicroSense Technologies Ltd, Heriot-Watt University
• Dr Alexander Enoch, Robotical Ltd, University of Edinburgh
• Dr Andrew Herbert, H Guard, University of Edinburgh
• Chris Hughes, Estendio, University of Strathclyde
• Susanne Mitschke, MindMate, University of Glasgow
• Dr Deborah Wake, MyDiabetesMyWay, University of Dundee

Representing universities from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee the shortlist of nominees represents a range of sectors and technologies including: food and drink, engineering, medical devices and healthcare apps and online platforms.

Finalists must now prepare for the final on the 22 September where they will present their business plans in 45 minute pitches to the panel of expert judges made up of industry experts, leading entrepreneurs and investors from across the business community.

The judges for the Converge Challenge category include:

• Mervyn Jones, chairman of Converge Challenge
• Gillian MacAulay, managing director of the Strathclyde University Incubator
• Professor David Milne, founder of Wolfson Microelectronics
• Mary Jane Brouwers, an investment specialist
• Gordon Stuart, director of operations at Informatics Ventures
• Douglas Anderson an expert in healthcare technology product design

The winners will be announced that evening at an awards ceremony at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, on 22 September.