Engineering entrepreneurs win at the Converge Awards

Three student-led startups from the School of Engineering have won major accolades at this year’s Converge Awards.

  • Sam Evans Net Zero Challenge winner with Nikki Flanders of SSE and Adam Kosterka from Converge
  • Aliyu Dala Blue Economy Award Winner (one of two) with Lizzie Withington from Edinburgh University

The School’s innovators are working on next-generation AI, responsible use of artificial intelligence, aerodynamic engineering to improve fuel efficiency and satellite solutions for protecting marine ecosystems.

Aeroflow, founded by Sam Evans, a graduate from the School of Engineering, won the top prize in the SSE-sponsored Net Zero category, gaining £30,000 cash and in-kind business support from SSE and Converge’s network of industry partners. The startup is developing revolutionary aerodynamic HGV trailers that reduce drag by 33% while addressing safety concerns that have limited adoption of current solutions. The fuel-agnostic technology delivered benefits regardless of whether diesel, electric or hydrogen improve fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Several special prizes featured in this year’s Converge, with generous support from a group of sponsors, including Blue Economy and Ventures Lab, also had Edinburgh winners.

Aliyu Dala, a graduate from the School of Engineering, was co-winner of the Blue Economy prize, taking home £17,500 cash with his startup Raygonal; transforming seafood production by combining renewable energy, automation and advanced water management to produce fresh, antibiotic-free seafood year-round. Raygonal’s innovative Aquary system aims to reduce the UK’s £3.5 billion annual seafood import dependency while strengthening local economies and providing sustainable alternatives to traditional frozen seafood supply chains.

Seasat, founded by School of Engineering PhD graduate Solomon White, secured the special prize: The Ventures Lab Award, sponsored by The Challenges Group, worth £10,000 plus in-kind business support. The startup uses satellite images to monitor coastal ocean health. The technology provides crucial insights into environmental vulnerability, biological productivity and carbon sequestration habitats like seagrass, while predicting responses to global warming – critical data for understanding and protecting marine ecosystems.

I’m absolutely thrilled to have won this award. The programme provided invaluable support, from expert guidance and mentorship to access to a strong network of innovators, all of which have helped me refine my business model and accelerate the development of Aeroflow. It was an honour to be recognised as a company that could have a real impact on the environment, giving us a massive boost in confidence as we continue to grow and push forward with the delivery of our first full-scale prototype.

Sam Evans Founder of Aeroflow

Scotland’s celebration of academic innovation and entrepreneurship recognises the brightest ideas emerging from the nation’s universities. This year marks the biggest Converge Challenge to date, with a prize fund of £400,000 across all categories.

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