{"id":3218,"date":"2026-01-28T12:45:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T12:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/?p=3218"},"modified":"2026-01-28T12:45:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T12:45:46","slug":"converge-2026-calling-edinburgh-napier-innovators-to-turn-research-into-real-world-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/converge-2026-calling-edinburgh-napier-innovators-to-turn-research-into-real-world-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Calling all Edinburgh Napier innovators \u2013 Converge 2026 is now open for applications"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.convergechallenge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3219 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Mark-Dorris_600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Mark-Dorris_600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Mark-Dorris_600-300x157.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>Could your innovation lead the way?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.convergechallenge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Converge 2026<\/a>, Scotland\u2019s flagship programme for university-based entrepreneurs, is now open, and Edinburgh Napier academics, researchers and creators are invited to take part!<\/p>\n<h4>Why apply to Converge?<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.convergechallenge.com\/let-your-ingenuity-lead-the-way-converge-opens-for-applications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3221 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Erin_Edinburgh-Napier_300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Erin_Edinburgh-Napier_300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Erin_Edinburgh-Napier_300-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Whether you\u2019re a <strong>researcher, creator, inventor, academic <\/strong>or <strong>student<\/strong>, Converge is now searching for Scotland\u2019s brightest university innovators to join their prestigious 2026 cohort.<\/p>\n<p>Providing a safe space to test and validate your business idea, the Converge programme combines expert-led business training with a competitive element \u2013 giving you the clarity, confidence and connections to take your innovation out into the marketplace.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Key benefits of taking part:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Active feedback<\/strong> as you develop your business proposition<\/li>\n<li><strong>Peer-to-peer networks<\/strong> connecting you to a community of visionary founders<\/li>\n<li><strong>Generous equity-free funding<\/strong> for the best projects<\/li>\n<li><strong>Project visibility<\/strong> through their national programme<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Turning research into real\u2011world impact<\/h4>\n<p>One of the many inspiring success stories to emerge from Converge is Dr\u202fMark Dorris, co\u2011founder of Edinburgh Napier spin\u2011out <a href=\"https:\/\/mercel.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mercel<\/a>. His journey from breakthrough university research to tangible real\u2011world impact showcases exactly what\u2019s possible when great ideas meet the right support. Mercel develops sustainable, seaweed\u2011derived nanomaterials designed to replace synthetic plastics, enabling applications ranging from drug delivery to eco\u2011friendly consumer and industrial products.<\/p>\n<h4>Designing products that remove barriers<\/h4>\n<p>Another standout company who benefited from Converge is <a href=\"https:\/\/luinnovations.co.uk\/?srsltid=AfmBOopGB--buwb_ALy9wV2L_W-O7UOVJqFX8RSHsgKjtBAIDIkmPbib\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LU Innovations<\/a>, founded by Edinburgh Napier alumnus, Erin Reid. LU Innovations designs practical, adventure\u2011focused menstrual care products that remove barriers for menstruators participating in outdoor activities. Their reusable kits and hygiene solutions are tailored for remote environments, helping ensure that no\u2011one is held back from exploring the outdoors.<\/p>\n<h4><a href=\"https:\/\/www.convergechallenge.com\/let-your-ingenuity-lead-the-way-converge-opens-for-applications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-3222 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Nanik_Edinburgh-Napier_300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Nanik_Edinburgh-Napier_300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2026\/01\/Nanik_Edinburgh-Napier_300-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Tackling a rising global threat<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastingasset.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LastingAsset<\/a> is another recent Edinburgh Napier spin\u2011out with a mission rooted in societal need. Originally conceived as a crypto\u2011asset security project, the company later pivoted to focus on the rising threat of impersonation and phone\u2011based fraud. Using advanced cryptography and anti\u2011spoofing technologies, LastingAsset develops tools that help prevent vishing, deepfake scams and number spoofing &#8211; key challenges facing individuals and organisations alike.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you are curious about entrepreneurship and ready to test your breakthrough business idea, then don\u2019t miss the chance to apply!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4><strong>For more information visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.convergechallenge.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">convergechallenge.com<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>***<\/p>\n<h4>From lab to spin-out<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Learn more about Mercel&#8217;s journey, from lab to spin out, by <a href=\"https:\/\/innovationhub.napier.ac.uk\/environments\/environments-case-study-mercel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">visiting our Innovation Hub<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0sZOA-7NXf8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-GB&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Could your innovation lead the way?\u00a0 Converge 2026, Scotland\u2019s flagship programme for university-based entrepreneurs, is now open, and Edinburgh Napier academics, researchers and creators are invited to take part! Why apply to Converge? Whether you\u2019re a researcher, creator, inventor, academic&hellip; <br \/><a class=\"read-more-button\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/rie\/converge-2026-calling-edinburgh-napier-innovators-to-turn-research-into-real-world-impact\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":370,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[135,137,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entrepreneurship","category-enu-innovation-hub","category-external-funding"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Calling all Edinburgh Napier innovators \u2013 Converge 2026 is now open for applications - Research Innovation Enterprise<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how Edinburgh Napier researchers, academics and creators can transform breakthrough ideas through Converge 2026. 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