First Converge finalists 2025 announced
Four innovative student startups from the University of Edinburgh have been announced in the first wave of finalists from this year’s Converge Challenge.
Swapnil Deshmukh of Qinara is amongst four University of Edinburgh finalists
Qinara, Aeroflow, SEASAT and MantaRAI will now compete for the largest-ever awards package by the competition, which champions academic innovation in Scotland. The prize pot totalling more than £400,000 includes £305,00 in cash awards and over £100,000 of in-kind business support.
Our finalists are competing across three challenges – Converge, KickStart and Net Zero Challenge.
L: Swapnil Deshmukh, Qinara. R: Richard Palmer, MantaRAI.
Converge Challenge
In the main Converge category is startup Qinara, founded by School of Informatics Postgraduate student Swapnil Deshmukh. Qinara builds AI solutions that blend classical and quantum computing to improve performance without depending entirely on quantum hardware, bridging today’s systems with tomorrow’s quantum potential.
KickStart Challenge
MantaRAI, founded by School of Informatics graduate Richard Palmer is an AI-powered AI (RAI) platform and co-pilot that helps companies adopt AI successfully and responsibly, keeping them ahead of evolving regulations, building trust and maximising ROI.
L: Sam Evans, Aeroflow. R: Solomon White, SEASAT
Net Zero Challenge
Aeroflow, founded by School of Engineering graduate Sam Evans, builds aerodynamic HGV trailers that capitalise on the unused space within empty trailers to improve fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Also in this category is SEASAT, founded by School of Engineering Postgraduate student Solomon White, who won the Emerging Innovation Award at the Edinburgh Innovations’ Inspire Launch Grow entrepreneurship awards last year for this startup. SEASAT uses satellite images to monitor ocean health. These images are a measure of oceans' environmental vulnerability, assessing biological productivity as well as ecosystem development and how much carbon can be sequestered in habitats.
It's inspiring to see this year's finalists reach such a pivotal stage in their entrepreneurial journey. What really stands out is their remarkable ability to translate cutting-edge university research into tangible solutions with real-world impact, perfectly highlighting the profound potential embedded within our universities .
Adam Kosterka
Executive Director, Converge
We are thrilled to see four of our student and graduate startups reach the finals of the Converge Challenge – a fantastic achievement in Scotland’s leading entrepreneurial competition. Their creativity, ambition, and drive to tackle global challenges through innovation make us incredibly proud. We look forward to cheering them on as they showcase the impact our entrepreneurial community is making, and we wish them every success in the finals.
Lizzie Withington
Director of Venture Creation, Edinburgh Innovations
The Converge finals take place at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh on October 2.
