A University of Strathclyde research team and a Strathclyde graduate have secured two runner-up prizes at Scotland's Converge Awards.
Researcher David Campos-Gaona and co-founder Alex Warden won the Net Zero Challenge Runner-Up award for future spinout TA Technologies, receiving £10,000 and a package of business support. Gabriel Kelly, a Strathclyde graduate working with the University of Glasgow, was named KickStart Challenge Runner-Up for Exero Sports, receiving £7,500.
Converge is Scotland's company creation programme for the university sector, supporting researchers, students and graduates to develop innovative ideas into successful businesses.
Backed by the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish universities and industry partners, the programme has supported the creation of more than 500 companies since launching in 2011.
TA Technologies was recognised for KineticLink, a technology designed to address two major challenges in the UK's transition to net zero: improving long-distance power transmission and supporting grid stability. The innovation aims to ease transmission bottlenecks while providing inertia to the electricity network, helping it operate more efficiently as renewable energy use increases.
Exero Sports has developed a shin guard with integrated ankle protection to help combat-sports athletes train harder and more safely while reducing the risk of injury.
Professor Stephen McArthur, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde, said: “The Converge Challenge gives academic entrepreneurs from across Scotland's universities the support, skills and confidence to turn ideas into successful ventures.
“Bellrock Technology, which I co-founded with Adam Brown, won the inaugural Converge Challenge in 2011 before spinning out from Strathclyde and securing investment, and I know first-hand the difference that support can make.
“Universities are vibrant sources of ideas and innovation, but turning those into successful businesses takes the right support. Converge plays an important role in helping Scotland's academic entrepreneurs make that journey.”
The awards were presented at Strathclyde’s Barony Hall, where ventures from across Scotland were recognised for innovations addressing challenges in areas including climate technology, healthcare and sport.
This year's competition attracted 123 participants, with 34 finalists representing a record 15 Scottish universities, making it one of the largest and most diverse cohorts in the programme's history.
Businesses supported through Converge have a three-year survival rate of 86%, significantly above the national average.