Converge welcomes latest cohort with “astonishing breadth and depth of innovation”
A new wave of academic innovators is about to embark on the next chapter of their innovation journey, as we welcome the new cohort to our highly competitive programme.
Having received a record-breaking number of applications from Universities across Scotland, we’ve been excited to see a rise in the number of submissions from smaller institutions and non-traditional innovation hubs.
The judging panels had their work cut out to select the projects with the most exciting innovation and commercial potential. Later this month, the selected 123 start-ups and spinouts will begin their Converge journey, starting with intensive training to gain the entrepreneurial foundations they will need to succeed.
Led by entrepreneurs with experience of starting and running successful companies, the programme gives successful projects the opportunity to test and validate their business ideas, experience live pitching and peer-to-peer networking. Later in the programme, a £400,000 prize fund is at stake for the most promising projects.
Executive director of Converge, Adam Kosterka welcomed the announcement of the 2026 cohort by saying: “Each year the quality of applications to our programme astonishes us with the breadth and depth of innovation displayed. The 2026 cohort is very strong and we are looking forward to working with them as they take the next steps towards making their ideas a commercial reality.”
The “class of 2026” represents business opportunities in all sectors from the performing arts to life sciences, and energy transition to food and drink.
Congratulations to Arvaan Mukherjee, Co-Founder and CTO of PhytoVenomics, on being selected as a participant in the 2026 Converge cohort ‘KickStart Challenge’, designed for aspiring entrepreneurs to test, validate and prepare to launch an innovative business ideas. The Roslin Innovation Centre tenant start-up is creating safer, more reliable and globally accessible, next-generation anti-venom solutions.
View the Converge “class of 2026” > https://www.convergechallenge.com/updates/