Michael Tougher and Jordan Smith, two
recent Product Design Engineering (PDE) graduates of The Glasgow School of Art,
helped launch the Converge Challenge 2016 applications for which open today, 8
February 2016.
recent Product Design Engineering (PDE) graduates of The Glasgow School of Art,
helped launch the Converge Challenge 2016 applications for which open today, 8
February 2016.
Michael Tougher and Jordan Smith had both participated in the
2015 Converge Challenge which is Scotland’s leading company creation
competition and start up development programme for students, graduates and staff
from the country’s universities and research institutes. The Glasgow
School of Art has had great success in recent years in the programme with
Steven Russell being the first GSA alumnus to become a top 10 finalist of the
main Converge Challenge competition in 2014 with Guerrila Drums, a fully
acoustic 5 piece drum kit. Michael and Jordan joined other past
participants in the Converge Challenge for the 2016 launch at the
GSA’s Digital Design Studio. Full press release below.
2015 Converge Challenge which is Scotland’s leading company creation
competition and start up development programme for students, graduates and staff
from the country’s universities and research institutes. The Glasgow
School of Art has had great success in recent years in the programme with
Steven Russell being the first GSA alumnus to become a top 10 finalist of the
main Converge Challenge competition in 2014 with Guerrila Drums, a fully
acoustic 5 piece drum kit. Michael and Jordan joined other past
participants in the Converge Challenge for the 2016 launch at the
GSA’s Digital Design Studio. Full press release below.
After graduation last summer Michael
Tougher established Spark and Rocket Ltd. He had previously interned at Bayer
Material Science and Hasbro, and with 4c Design on the creation of the iconic
Queen’s baton for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Among the many awards he has won
is the Design Category in the 2015 national Deutsche Bank Awards in Creative
Enterprises.
Tougher established Spark and Rocket Ltd. He had previously interned at Bayer
Material Science and Hasbro, and with 4c Design on the creation of the iconic
Queen’s baton for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Among the many awards he has won
is the Design Category in the 2015 national Deutsche Bank Awards in Creative
Enterprises.
Jordan Smith is Managing Director and Product Designer at Oddity
Innovations which he established last autumn. The company is currently
developing its first product pkt: a reliable and efficient
packaging solution for the low volume sender. Smith was runner up in the 2015
Scottish Institute for Enterprise awards and a finalist in
the Converge Challenge KickStart category of the 2015 with the prototype of this product.
Innovations which he established last autumn. The company is currently
developing its first product pkt: a reliable and efficient
packaging solution for the low volume sender. Smith was runner up in the 2015
Scottish Institute for Enterprise awards and a finalist in
the Converge Challenge KickStart category of the 2015 with the prototype of this product.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of
the foundation of the PDE programme which is run jointly by The Glasgow School
of Art and Glasgow University. Graduates of the programme have gone on to work
in senior design roles across the globe and established award winning
companies. Their innovations are making tangible differences to society with
many of the products founded on the success of projects developed whilst
still undergraduates.
the foundation of the PDE programme which is run jointly by The Glasgow School
of Art and Glasgow University. Graduates of the programme have gone on to work
in senior design roles across the globe and established award winning
companies. Their innovations are making tangible differences to society with
many of the products founded on the success of projects developed whilst
still undergraduates.
For further information on PDE 25
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
Full text of Converge Challenge 2016 press announcement
Converge Challenge 2016 now open for
applications
applications
Calling on Scotland’s brightest ideas
Scotland’s leading
company creation competition and start up development programme for students,
graduates and staff from the country’s universities and research institutes is
today (Monday 8 February) launching its 2016 programme – its biggest to date
with new partnerships and a new award to attract a wider range of applicants.
company creation competition and start up development programme for students,
graduates and staff from the country’s universities and research institutes is
today (Monday 8 February) launching its 2016 programme – its biggest to date
with new partnerships and a new award to attract a wider range of applicants.
In celebration of
Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, Converge Challenge is
dedicating a £10,000 cash prize to a new Converge Challenge Design and
Creativity Award. The debut of the award is aimed at encouraging ideas in
digital media, textiles, architecture and design which could be a product,
process or a service.
Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, Converge Challenge is
dedicating a £10,000 cash prize to a new Converge Challenge Design and
Creativity Award. The debut of the award is aimed at encouraging ideas in
digital media, textiles, architecture and design which could be a product,
process or a service.
In addition,
Converge Challenge announces new partnerships in 2016 with RBS, Mazars,
Badenoch & Clark that will see the total prize fund and training increase
to £150,000. RBS will be a key partner, providing support across all
areas of Converge Challenge as well as business mentoring. Mazars, one
of Europe’s largest accounting firms will provide finance and accounting
business support and Badenoch & Clark will support the winners with
recruitment solutions. BQ Live, a leading business publication
that celebrates entrepreneurship, will be a media
partner in 2016 providing ongoing profile of Converge Challenge.
Converge Challenge announces new partnerships in 2016 with RBS, Mazars,
Badenoch & Clark that will see the total prize fund and training increase
to £150,000. RBS will be a key partner, providing support across all
areas of Converge Challenge as well as business mentoring. Mazars, one
of Europe’s largest accounting firms will provide finance and accounting
business support and Badenoch & Clark will support the winners with
recruitment solutions. BQ Live, a leading business publication
that celebrates entrepreneurship, will be a media
partner in 2016 providing ongoing profile of Converge Challenge.
Converge
Challenge is now recognised as the leading opportunity for students, recent
graduates and academic staff across the Higher Education sector. During the
last four years, Converge Challenge has trained more than 120 entrepreneurs and
formed 51 companies that have secured £15 million of funding and are employing
139 staff, making an important contribution to Scotland’s economy.
Challenge is now recognised as the leading opportunity for students, recent
graduates and academic staff across the Higher Education sector. During the
last four years, Converge Challenge has trained more than 120 entrepreneurs and
formed 51 companies that have secured £15 million of funding and are employing
139 staff, making an important contribution to Scotland’s economy.
The
Glasgow School of Art has had great success in recent years. In 2014, Steven
Russell was the first Glasgow School of Art alumni to become a top 10 finalist
of the main Converge Challenge competition with Guerrila Drums, a fully
acoustic 5 piece drum kit. In 2015, Jordan Smith was a finalist in the
KickStart category for PKT Jordan Smith Designs, packaging solutions and plans
to apply for the main Converge Challenge award in 2016.
Glasgow School of Art has had great success in recent years. In 2014, Steven
Russell was the first Glasgow School of Art alumni to become a top 10 finalist
of the main Converge Challenge competition with Guerrila Drums, a fully
acoustic 5 piece drum kit. In 2015, Jordan Smith was a finalist in the
KickStart category for PKT Jordan Smith Designs, packaging solutions and plans
to apply for the main Converge Challenge award in 2016.
Olga
Kozlova, Director of Converge Challenge, said:
Kozlova, Director of Converge Challenge, said:
“This
an exciting year for Converge Challenge with our biggest prize fund to date and
an ambitious development programme. We are delighted to welcome our new
partners on board; they each bring a wealth of experience from their respective
sectors that will equip our next generation of entrepreneurs to create
companies that will have an impact for Scotland.
an exciting year for Converge Challenge with our biggest prize fund to date and
an ambitious development programme. We are delighted to welcome our new
partners on board; they each bring a wealth of experience from their respective
sectors that will equip our next generation of entrepreneurs to create
companies that will have an impact for Scotland.
“At Converge we work with any industry
sector, product or service-based idea and we are thrilled to announce the
Design and Creativity award, to celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture
and Design. We are confident the new award will encourage a wide range of
applications that will uncover yet more great examples of Scottish innovation
among our Higher Education population.”
sector, product or service-based idea and we are thrilled to announce the
Design and Creativity award, to celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture
and Design. We are confident the new award will encourage a wide range of
applications that will uncover yet more great examples of Scottish innovation
among our Higher Education population.”
Successful
Converge Challenge applicants participate in entrepreneurial development
throughout the competition. Through intensive training, mentoring, pitching
experience, business surgeries and ongoing support, participants can ultimately
develop a comprehensive business plan for their company, product and/or
service. An expert panel of judges made up of industry experts, leading
entrepreneurs and investors from across the business community will then assess
the projects and select the winners of the prestigious Converge Challenge
awards.
Converge Challenge applicants participate in entrepreneurial development
throughout the competition. Through intensive training, mentoring, pitching
experience, business surgeries and ongoing support, participants can ultimately
develop a comprehensive business plan for their company, product and/or
service. An expert panel of judges made up of industry experts, leading
entrepreneurs and investors from across the business community will then assess
the projects and select the winners of the prestigious Converge Challenge
awards.
Converge Challenge
2016 winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September.
2016 winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in September.
Richard
Walker, Photon Force Ltd, Converge Challenge
Winner 2015 – University of Edinburgh
“Converge Challenge has provided an
immense opportunity for Photon Force.
From the application process, which made us understand what was involved
in operating a business in our field to developing a business plan that would
achieve results. On top of this, access to an extensive suite of training and
mentoring. Converge Challenge has helped put us on the path to entrepreneurial
success!”
immense opportunity for Photon Force.
From the application process, which made us understand what was involved
in operating a business in our field to developing a business plan that would
achieve results. On top of this, access to an extensive suite of training and
mentoring. Converge Challenge has helped put us on the path to entrepreneurial
success!”
Rebecca
Pick, Personal Guardian, Converge Challenge
Third Prize 2015 – University of Strathclyde
Pick, Personal Guardian, Converge Challenge
Third Prize 2015 – University of Strathclyde
“Being part of Converge 2015 was a
fantastic experience. So much is on offer from meeting fantastic people,
developing your business skills and ultimately gaining a package of financial
and non-financial support to help grow your business. I cannot thank Converge
enough for what it has done for my business Pick Protection.”
fantastic experience. So much is on offer from meeting fantastic people,
developing your business skills and ultimately gaining a package of financial
and non-financial support to help grow your business. I cannot thank Converge
enough for what it has done for my business Pick Protection.”
Michael Tougher, Converge Challenge
applicant 2015, The Glasgow School of Art
applicant 2015, The Glasgow School of Art
“I applied to
Converge Challenge to turn my new product into a successful business. It
challenged me to develop a design into an exciting business proposal, focusing
on markets and customers. The training provided was invaluable, improving my
business education and understanding.”
Converge Challenge to turn my new product into a successful business. It
challenged me to develop a design into an exciting business proposal, focusing
on markets and customers. The training provided was invaluable, improving my
business education and understanding.”
Susan
Fouquier, Regional Managing Director Business
Banking Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland said:
Fouquier, Regional Managing Director Business
Banking Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland said:
“The Royal Bank of Scotland is
delighted to partner this year’s Converge Challenge. Enterprise and
entrepreneurship are key drivers of the Scottish economy and it offers an
opportunity to bring together the very best of our commercial, Higher Education
and research sectors to create further opportunity in Scotland. We look forward
to working with this year’s Converge Challengers and wish everyone the greatest
success.”
delighted to partner this year’s Converge Challenge. Enterprise and
entrepreneurship are key drivers of the Scottish economy and it offers an
opportunity to bring together the very best of our commercial, Higher Education
and research sectors to create further opportunity in Scotland. We look forward
to working with this year’s Converge Challengers and wish everyone the greatest
success.”
Converge Challenge is now open for
applications and closes on Monday 18th April at 5pm GMT. To enter visit www.convergechallenge.com
applications and closes on Monday 18th April at 5pm GMT. To enter visit www.convergechallenge.com
Converge Challenge will be hosting
information events throughout Scotland:
information events throughout Scotland:
Tuesday 9 February – Elevator, Aberdeen
Wednesday 10 February – Royal Society of Edinburgh,
Edinburgh
Wednesday 10 February – Royal Society of Edinburgh,
Edinburgh
Thursday 11 February – Royal Bank of
Scotland, Glasgow
Scotland, Glasgow
To register for any of these events,
visit the Eventbrite page:
visit the Eventbrite page:
Ends
Further enquiries:
Spreng & Co
Notes:
Launched in 2010 by Dr Olga Kozlova,
Converge Challenge is a high profile pan-Scotland company creation competition
and entrepreneurship development programme for staff, students, and recent
graduates of Scottish Universities and Research Institutes aimed at creating a
new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
Converge Challenge is a high profile pan-Scotland company creation competition
and entrepreneurship development programme for staff, students, and recent
graduates of Scottish Universities and Research Institutes aimed at creating a
new generation of entrepreneurs in Scotland.
Converge Challenge has three core categories:
– Converge Challenge
–
KickStart: for early stage ideas
KickStart: for early stage ideas
– Social
Enterprise : positive impact on social and environmental issues
Enterprise : positive impact on social and environmental issues
Applications can be for a product or
service, from any industry sector and at any stage of the development.
service, from any industry sector and at any stage of the development.
Converge Challenge is funded by the Scottish Funding Council
and eight research-intensive universities (Heriot-Watt University, University
of Strathclyde, University of Glasgow, University of Stirling, University of
Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, University of Aberdeen and University of
Dundee).
and eight research-intensive universities (Heriot-Watt University, University
of Strathclyde, University of Glasgow, University of Stirling, University of
Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, University of Aberdeen and University of
Dundee).
Sponsor and partners
–
RBS
RBS
–
Mazars
Mazars
–
Badenoch & Clark
Badenoch & Clark
–
Murgitroyd
Murgitroyd
–
BQ Live
BQ Live
–
Informatics Ventures
Informatics Ventures
–
Morton Fraser
Morton Fraser
–
Mortonward
Mortonward
–
Fearsome
Fearsome
–
Entrepreneurial Scotland
Entrepreneurial Scotland
Glasgow School of Art
– 2015: 4 Glasgow School of Art alumni made it onto the
shortlist award categories.
shortlist award categories.
– 2015 KickStart Top 10 finalist: Jordan Smith, PKT Jordan
Smith Designs – Reliable and efficient packaging solutions.
Smith Designs – Reliable and efficient packaging solutions.
– 2015 KickStart applicant: Michael Tougher has recently been
accepted onto the Entrepreneurial Spark bootcamp for 2016 and will be applying
for the main Converge Challenge competition this year.
accepted onto the Entrepreneurial Spark bootcamp for 2016 and will be applying
for the main Converge Challenge competition this year.
– 2014 Converge Challenge Top 10 finalist: Steven Russell,
Guerrilla Drums – a fully acoustic 5 piece drum kit. Steven was the first
Converge participant from the Glasgow School of Art to make it to the Top
10.
Guerrilla Drums – a fully acoustic 5 piece drum kit. Steven was the first
Converge participant from the Glasgow School of Art to make it to the Top
10.
Converge Challenge 2015
Winner
Photon Force – Richard Walker,
University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
2nd place
Elasmogen – Caroline Barelle, University of
Aberdeen
Aberdeen
3rd place
Personal
Guardian –
Rebecca Pick, University of Strathclyde
Guardian –
Rebecca Pick, University of Strathclyde
KickStart Winner
Xi software – Salman Tahir, University
of Edinburgh
of Edinburgh
Social Enterprise
Winner
Winner
EuroBiotix – James McIlroy, University
of Aberdeen
of Aberdeen
Entrepreneurial
Spirit Award Winner
Spirit Award Winner
Hannah Dimsdale, Teadough, University
of Edinburgh.
of Edinburgh.
KickStart Digital Entrepreneur Award
MindMate – Susanne Mitschke,
University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow