Four Heriot-Watt innovators named as Converge 2026 finalists

Four pioneering ventures from Heriot-Watt University have been named as finalists in Converge 2026, Scotland’s leading programme for university entrepreneurs and innovators.

The Heriot-Watt finalists span water security, advanced photonics, healthcare and climate risk, demonstrating the breadth of research being translated into commercially focused solutions across the university.

Three ventures – RecoverPX, FreeForm Photonics and TissueMetrics – have reached the final of the flagship Converge Challenge, while CatStream is a finalist in the Net Zero Challenge.

Professor Helen Bridle is leading RecoverPX, which is developing a next-generation water sampling platform designed to improve the detection of pathogens, beginning with Cryptosporidium.

Existing testing methods can be manual and inefficient, with low recovery rates increasing the risk that contamination goes undetected. RecoverPX combines advanced filtration with automated, remotely operated systems to improve recovery and enable faster responses to potential contamination events. The technology has already been validated with several UK water companies and is being designed for use in laboratories, treatment plants and field settings.

FreeForm Photonics, led by Dr Calum Ross, is developing new approaches to the design and manufacture of high-performance photonic components.

Its technology uses Selective Laser Etching to create complex three-dimensional structures in fused silica, a high-performance optical glass. By building multiple features directly into individual components, FreeForm Photonics aims to reduce the time and cost associated with aligning and assembling photonic systems, with potential applications spanning optical sensing, communications, optofluidics and fibre optics.

Professor Michael Crichton’s TissueMetrics is developing an acoustic skin sensor to improve how inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis are assessed and treated.

Current patient journeys can depend heavily on subjective assessment and trial-and-error treatment. TissueMetrics’ technology measures changes within the layers of the skin as treatment progresses, with the ambition of bringing more objective, dermatologist-quality assessment into community healthcare settings, including pharmacies.

Completing Heriot-Watt’s finalists is CatStream, led by Lynn Otugha, which has reached the final of the Net Zero Challenge.

CatStream uses advanced machine learning and real-time data to help organisations quantify climate and environmental risk. The platform brings together information on climate hazards, asset vulnerability and transition risk to support insurers, energy companies and investors in making better-informed decisions, meeting regulatory requirements and progressing net zero commitments.

“It’s an extraordinarily diverse group of finalists this year,” said Adam Kosterka, Executive Director of Converge. “Not only do we have the largest number of universities represented in the group of finalists, but we are seeing the non-traditional institutions strongly represented. Innovation, research commercialisation and entrepreneurship are now strongly embedded in our universities’ culture across the board and we are seeing the results of that coming through.”

Converge supports university staff, students and recent graduates from across Scotland to turn innovative ideas into sustainable businesses through specialist training, networking, business support and equity-free funding.

A record-breaking number of applications were received for the 2026 programme, with 123 start-ups and spinouts initially selected to take part. A total prize fund of £410,000 is available across the programme.

The finalists will now progress through further investment training and pitching before the winners are announced at the annual Converge Awards on 1 October 2026.

At Heriot-Watt, GRID provides the University interface for Converge and sits at the heart of its support for academic entrepreneurship and commercialisation. Through GRID, the University’s dedicated Business and Enterprise team works with researchers across disciplines and career stages to explore commercial opportunities, develop propositions and help promising innovations progress towards market and scale.

This support forms part of Heriot-Watt’s wider commitment to building a globally connected research and innovation ecosystem, connecting world-leading research with industry, investment and entrepreneurial expertise to help turn ideas into impact.

Find out more about Converge 2026 and its programme for university innovators.