Edinburgh Innovators secure top prizes at Scotland’s Converge Awards
Four University of Edinburgh projects have claimed victory at this year’s Converge Awards, an annual awards ceremony designed to celebrate and reward the pinnacle of Scottish academic innovation.
Left to right : Solomon White (Seasat), Bas Schalkwijk (SolarSub), Alexander Speakman (E.V.A. Biosystems), Jawahir al-Mauly (Ujamma Spice), James Taylor (SolarSub).
At an event attended by Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Converge presented 12 prizes to Scottish universities across its four award categories of Converge, Create Change, KickStart, and Net Zero, with a total prize fund of over £300,000.
University of Edinburgh winners showcased innovative solutions across diverse fields, from environmental sustainability to global trade and ocean health monitoring.
Alexander Speakman, founder of E.V.A. Biosystems, with John Stewart SSE and Adam Kosterka.
E.V.A Biosystems, co-founded by Dr Alexander Speakman, a PhD graduate of the Institute of Bioengineering, won the top prize in the SSE-sponsored Net Zero category, netting £30,000 in equity-free cash and £19,500 of in-kind business support from SSE and Converge’s network of industry partners.
The start-up’s groundbreaking work focuses on developing selectively degradable plastics that will be able to detect if they are in a specific environment, such as seawater or landfill, and degrade themselves in response. Offering a microplastic-free solution to the huge problem of ocean pollution, the company also scooped the prestigious IBioIC Award and £20,000 for the University.
In the Create Change category, Ujamaa Spice, founded by molecular biology PhD student Rist Van de Weyer and Edinburgh-based CEO Jawahir Al-Mauly, took the top prize. The venture aims to decolonise the £17 billion spice trade industry by purchasing spices directly from farmers in Zanzibar and promoting the use of single-origin spices in the UK. Ujamaa Spice was awarded £30,000 in equity-free cash and £10,500 of in-kind business support.
Seasat's Solomon White with Edinburgh Innovations's Christina Starko and Teodora Handrea, and Kate Forbes MSP.
Seasat, founded by School of Engineering PhD graduate Solomon White, secured the top prize in the KickStart category. Its innovative use of satellite images and machine learning for monitoring coastal water conditions - providing an early warning system for the aquaculture industry - saw it win £10,000 in equity-free cash.
Ovation Agriculture from Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) bagged the £7,500 KickStart Challenge runner-up prize. Ovation Agriculture tackles dental disease in cattle with tools and training to improve cattle health, welfare, and production efficiency.
SolarSub's Bas Schalkwijk and James Taylor with John Stewart SSE and Adam Kosterka.
SolarSub, co-founded by School of Engineering alumni Sebastiaan Schalkwijk and James Taylor, was named runner-up in the Net Zero category. The company’s highly efficient cooling system for floating solar panels addresses the challenges of overheating and reduced efficiency in water-based solar farms. SolarSub was awarded £10,000 in equity-free cash and £9,500 of in-kind business support.
“The calibre of innovation emerging from Scotland’s universities continues to be world-class. E.V.A. Biosystems, Ujamaa Spice, SEASAT and SolarSub are shining examples of how academic brilliance can lead to groundbreaking solutions with global potential. These companies are not just creating products; they’re shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for Scotland and beyond.
At Converge, we’re privileged to support innovative university founders by providing them with the business acumen and networks that complement their technical expertise. Together with Scotland’s universities, we’re helping to create an environment where transformative ideas can evolve into successful businesses, contributing to our nation’s reputation as a leader of technological advancement and entrepreneurial spirit.”
“It’s fantastic to see so many of our ground-breaking founders recognised at Converge this year. Their ideas offer solutions in the world’s biggest challenge areas of future health and care and climate and sustainability, and EI is proud to support them on their journey towards making a difference in our world. Congratulations to you all!”
“Translating world-class research from our universities into new innovative technologies and businesses is key to delivering on Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy to drive economic growth.
Converge plays a vital role in providing a supportive environment for innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and connect with investors, mentors and industry leaders.
I congratulate this year’s winners, who are addressing global challenges and bringing positive change across the country.”
Funded by the Scottish Funding Council and a network of eight corporate partners, Converge works in partnership with 18 of Scotland's universities. Since its launch in 2011, the programme has trained over 670 aspiring founders and supported the creation of over 420 companies that enjoy an above-average three-year survival rate of over 80% (as of 1 June 2024).
Open to students, recent graduates, and staff, Converge supports new businesses through intensive business training, networking, 1-2-1 support, generous equity free cash prizes and expert, professional advice from its roster of industry partners.