Heriot-Watt University in shortlist for Converge Challenge 2018

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L-R Dr Olga Kozlova, Director, Converge Challenge and Dr Claudia Cavalluzzo, Deputy Director, Converge Challenge

Nominations for this year's Converge Challenge have been announced with Heriot-Watt making another impressive showing.

 

A total of six entries from the University have been shortlisted for the high-profile competition that celebrates entrepreneurism in Scotland.  

 

Each earned their place after being identified as one of the leading Top 60 entrepreneurial projects from Scottish Universities and Research Institutes. The shortlist covers a range of innovative ideas such as women's health, virtual reality, renewables and sustainability.

 

The awards ceremony will be held on the 20th of September.

 

The Heriot-Watt nominations are:

 

  1. Converge Challenge - for those with a developed idea:
  1. Intelidigest: an automated/modular onsite (kitchen fitted) food waste recycler
  2. Kenoteq: an innovative construction product that will help the building industry reduce waste and build more sustainably
  1. KickStart - for early stage ideas:
  1. HiRes Solutions: an innovative ultrasound detection system, to evaluate medical responses for cancer treatment in days as opposed to months.
  2. InfiNect: innovative technology designed to allow access to the web, HD video streaming, speedily sending a text message or image across the world using the satellite infrastructure
  3. ThermoDrone: a novel combined use of drones and thermal cameras to create a solution to identify, monitor and address high levels of heat-leakage within the distillery industry.
  4. SecondPerspective: a medical technology company that is currently developing a rehabilitation solution designed to reduce the cost of rehabilitation and return athletes to sport faster.

Launched in 2011 by Dr Olga Kozlova, Converge Challenge is a high profile competition for staff, students, and recent graduates of Scottish Universities and Research Institutes. It aims to create a new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland by providing participants with training, coaching and one-to-one mentoring as well as substantial cash prizes worth more than £160,000 to support the winners.

Professor Andrea Nolan OBE, Convener of Universities Scotland said: “I am truly delighted to see the shortlisted Converge Challenge participants continue to raise the bar each year and produce pioneering and innovative products and services from technology to robotics and health.

 

“The ambition of these 60 budding entrepreneurs is to change the lives of people here in Scotland and the rest of the world for the better through social good and inclusive solutions.

 

“I look forward to tracking the progress of these wonderful projects which exemplify the excellence of our Scottish Universities and showcase the diversity of sectors they support.”

A full list of all finalists can be found on the Converge Challenge website: https://www.convergechallenge.com

Heriot-Watt was crowned joint winners of the Converge Challenge award in 2016.