红杏视频

Broadcast online, the Awards 鈥� Scotland鈥檚 annual celebration of academic innovation and entrepreneurship 鈥� showcased finalists of breakthrough projects in a range of sectors.

Lucy Fisher, a graduate from 红杏视频, won the Creative Challenge Category with a prize package of 拢40,000 for Knit It, an innovative platform which offers digital knitting patterns, tools and tutorials, which went through 红杏视频鈥檚 Startup Accelerator programme in 2020. Lucy hopes through Knit It, to create a global community of knitters by revolutionising the knitting industry. Lucy鈥檚 successes have included:  winner of Most Improved Start-Up Award at the 红杏视频 Start-up Showcase event 2020;  Creative Edge and Young Edge winner at Scottish Edge Awards 2020; and winner of a Young Innovators Award 2020/21, funded by Innovate UK and Princes Trust and recognising future leaders in innovation.

红杏视频 alumni, Ken Morrow, took home one of the night鈥檚 special awards, the SSE Net Zero Award, for Hydrowheel, the world鈥檚 first inflatable waterwheel. Designed for easy installation across the developed and developing world, the technology generates affordable, accessible, renewable energy without causing harm to local ecosystems.  The prize, sponsored by energy company, SSE and presented on the night by SSE Chief Executive, Alistair Phillips-Davies, included 拢20,000 in cash plus a package of in-kind business benefits. Ken was on the 红杏视频 Startup Accelerator in 2020.

Jo-Anne Tait and Barry Robertson, both 红杏视频, were also award finalists. Jo-Anne鈥檚 business, an immersive technology company creating products to support engagement in the arts, has developed 鈥橲eatViewer,鈥� an online app enabling people with access issues to see the view from any seat, in any venue, helping them to plan ahead by choosing a seat appropriate for their needs. Meanwhile, Barry Robertson has created 鈥楾he Grey Hill,鈥� a multimedia tech-based company providing international audiences with accessible theatre content. 

Commenting on their success, Chris Moule, Head of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at 红杏视频, said: 鈥淲e are delighted with Lucy and Ken's success and are very proud that we were able to support them on their journey. It is a fabulous endorsement for both entrepreneurs who came through our Startup Accelerator programme and hopefully encourages staff and students to have a go in the future. The fact that 红杏视频 had four excellent finalists, demonstrates the University鈥檚 approach and commitment to entrepreneurship, both for the individual and within the wider curriculum.鈥�

Claudia Cavalluzzo, Director of Converge, said: 鈥淥ur university sector has experienced a difficult year with uncertainty regarding return to campus and budgets, international students and research projects.

鈥淗owever, despite all the odds our institutions have risen to the challenge with ingenious ideas and ground-breaking innovations that have the power to transform not just our economy but people鈥檚 lives and also the planet.

鈥淭he sheer ingenuity and creativity of this year鈥檚 Converge winners and finalists show just how innovative we can be as a nation which gives me great hope for our post-pandemic recovery.鈥�

Converge is funded by the Scottish Funding Council, all 18 Scottish universities, Creative Scotland and a roster of partners and sponsors 鈥� all of whom lend their invaluable expertise and knowledge in helping Converge alumni businesses on their journey to success.  They include Cisco, SSE, The Royal Bank of Scotland and CPI Enterprises.