The finalists have been revealed for the 2018 Converge Challenge, Scotland’s premier company creation programme.  A team from the School of Engineering has a project shortlisted in the KickStart category for early stage ideas.

Professor Richard Hogg, Dr David Childs and Dr Richard Taylor have reached the final with their business idea, Vector Photonics, which will produce miniaturised self-steering lasers. These can help reduce the size and cost of automotive safety systems.

The team is currently working on developing a prototype that can be validated by their future customers. This work is funded by the University’s EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account which aims to increase the global impact of the University through greater levels of external engagement and entrepreneurship.

Dr Richard Taylor, who is representing the team in the competition, said

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted. The team have benefitted from a range of business training over the past year, including participating in the Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe) programme. If we are successful then we hope to use the prize money and business support to help us develop links with future customers and assist in the completion of our business plan.”

The finalists will head to Edinburgh later this month to take part in the awards ceremony, where a total prize pot of £160,000 and in-kind business support await the winners and runners up.

First published: 11 September 2018

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