College of Edinburgh start-up agency EVA Biosystems has developed a plastic that’s described as having the ability to sense when it’s within the ocean and break itself down with out creating microplastics.
The answer secured prime prize within the SSE-sponsored Web Zero class at this yr’s Converge Awards, an annual awards ceremony supposed to rejoice and reward Scottish tutorial innovation.
EVA Biosystems seemingly impressed judges with its novel method to tackling plastic air pollution, incomes a £30,000 money prize and £19,500 of in-kind enterprise assist from SSE and Converge’s community of trade companions to develop the enterprise. The corporate additionally gained the IBioIC Award, a prize introduced to an modern biotech enterprise with a product or course of that addresses an actual market want, netting £20,000 for the College of Edinburgh.
“We’re all struggling with plastic pollution, and while there are many people developing biodegradable plastics, they’re too expensive and only make up about 1% of the world’s plastic,” stated Dr Alexander Speakman, founding father of EVA Biosystems. “Our technology works with existing plastics, making them ‘smart’ enough to break down when they end up where they shouldn’t be, like in our oceans or landfills.”
EVA Biosystems’ innovation entails including particular micro organism to traditional plastics. These micro organism can detect once they’re in environments like seawater and activate enzymes that break down the plastic. Not like chemical degradation, which may create dangerous microplastics, E.V.A’s distinctive know-how can forestall these waste merchandise. In line with latest analysis, as much as 12 million metric tons of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans yearly – the equal of greater than 100,000 blue whales.
The Create Change class, which focuses on artistic, social, and impact-driven enterprises, was gained by Ujamaa Spice, additionally from the College of Edinburgh. Based by Jawahir Al-Mauly, Ujamaa Spice is revolutionising the £17 billion international spice trade by forging shut partnerships with smallholder farmers in Zanzibar and assuming full management of their provide chain. This method ensures distinctive high quality spices for UK customers whereas combating meals crime and exploitation within the trade.
Within the KickStart class, designed for early-stage concepts, SEASAT from the College of Edinburgh secured prime prize. Based by Solomon White, SEASAT makes use of satellite tv for pc photos and machine studying to watch coastal water situations, offering an early warning system for the aquaculture trade. This permits fish farms to foretell and react to potential threats, enhancing their operational effectivity.
The Web Zero class additionally noticed SolarSub from the College of Edinburgh as runner-up. Co-founded by Sebastiaan Schalkwijk and James Taylor, SolarSub has developed a extremely environment friendly cooling system for floating photo voltaic panels, addressing the problem of overheating and decreased effectivity in water-based photo voltaic farms.
PalmAlt from Queen Margaret College was one in every of two runners-up within the KickStart class. Created by Catriona Liddle, PalmAlt provides a 100% substitute for palm oil-based shortening in bakery merchandise, addressing sustainability considerations whereas enhancing dietary profiles.
Adam Kosterka, government director of Converge, commented on this yr’s cohort:
“The calibre of innovation rising from Scotland’s universities continues to be world-class. E.V.A. Biosystems, Ujamaa Spice, SEASAT, SolarSub, and PalmAlt are shining examples of how tutorial brilliance can result in groundbreaking options with international potential. These firms aren’t simply creating merchandise; they’re shaping a extra sustainable and inclusive future for Scotland and past.
“At Converge, we’re privileged to support innovative university founders by providing them with the business acumen and networks that complement their technical expertise. Together with Scotland’s universities, we’re helping to create an environment where transformative ideas can evolve into successful businesses, contributing to our nation’s reputation as a leader of technological advancement and entrepreneurial spirit.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes stated:
“Translating world-class analysis from our universities into new modern applied sciences and companies is vital to delivering on Scotland’s Nationwide Innovation Technique to drive financial development.
“Converge performs an important position in offering a supportive setting for innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their concepts and join with buyers, mentors and trade leaders.
“I congratulate this year’s winners, who are addressing global challenges and bringing positive change across the country.”
Funded by the Scottish Funding Council and a community of eight company companions, Converge works in partnership with 18 of Scotland’s universities. Since its launch in 2011, the programme has educated over 670 aspiring founders and supported the creation of over 420 firms that get pleasure from an above-average three-year survival price of over 80% (as of 1 June 2024).
Open to college students, latest graduates, and workers, Converge helps new companies by intensive enterprise coaching, networking, 1-2-1 assist, beneficiant fairness free money prizes and skilled, skilled recommendation from its roster of trade companions.
The total listing of Converge 2024 winners and runners-up is as follows:
Converge Problem winner
Undertaking InProcess
Identify Momchil Vasilev
College Strathclyde
Prize £50,000 money & £20,500 in-kind enterprise assist
Undertaking PCAD
Identify Anthony McGarry
College Strathclyde
Prize £20,000 money & £9,500 in-kind enterprise assist
Create Change Problem
Undertaking Ujamaa Spice
Identify Jawahir Al-Mauly
College Edinburgh
Prize £30,000 money & £10,500 in-kind enterprise assist
Undertaking KEPSoft Collaborative
Identify Vijay Luthra
College Glasgow
Prize £10,000 money & £5,000 in-kind enterprise assist
Web Zero Problem
Undertaking E.V.A Biosystems
Identify Alexander Speakman
College Edinburgh
Prize £30,000 money & £19,500 in-kind enterprise assist
Undertaking SolarSub
Identify James Taylor
College Edinburgh
Prize £10,000 money & £9,500 in-kind enterprise assist
KickStart Problem
Undertaking SEASAT
Identify Solomon White
College Edinburgh
Prize £10,000 money
Undertaking Ovation Agriculture
Identify Jillian Gordon
College SRUC
Prize £7,500 money
Undertaking PalmAlt
Identify Catriona Liddle
College Queen Margaret
Prize £5,000 money
KickStart Entrepreneurial Spirit
Undertaking New-Discovered-Hope
Identify Nathan Dudley
College Dundee
Prize £5,000 money
BioIC Award
Undertaking E.V.A Biosystems
Identify Alexander Speakman
College Edinburgh
Prize £20,000 for the college the place the venture originated
Ventures Lab Award
Undertaking MosaIQ
Identify Sebastien Chastin
College Glasgow Caledonian
Prize £10,000 money
