A scientist at the Dunbeg-based Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) is celebrating after winning a Converge award.
Dr Georgina Robinson was crowned the Converge Challenge winner at the awards, which celebrates spin-outs and start-ups that are set to transform society, people and the planet for better.
Dr Robinson is the founder of N-ovatio-N, which is tackling the growing problem of organic waste in the agricultural industry. The company is providing an innovative circular economy solution to upcycle aquaculture waste into high-value feed ingredients in the form of marine worms.
She is commercialising her research through a spin-out from SAMS, which is a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands.
By developing real life solutions that can tackle nitrous oxide emissions, Georgina hopes to help Scotland meet its Net Zero targets while growing its aquaculture sector.
Judges were impressed with Dr Robinson’s determination to find a scalable solution to help feed the world whilst safeguarding our planet and the Converge Challenge category awarded N-ovation-N £50,000 in cash. It also offered Dr Robinson’s company £20,000 in business support to drive the company in its next phase.
Funded by the Scottish Funding Council, South of Scotland Enterprise, Creative Scotland and a network of 11 corporate partners, Converge works in partnership with all of Scotland’s universities.
Scottish Government innovation minister, Richard Lochhead said: “With a focus on tackling environmental and societal challenges, this year’s winners have demonstrated outstanding talent and creativity, and I congratulate all those that took part in this year’s awards for their efforts.”
Converge executive director, Dr Claudia Cavalluzzo added: “Scotland’s universities are truly world-class and this is evident in the achievements and ambition demonstrated by the talented pioneers we’ve recognised at this year’s awards. These founders represent the magic that Scotland needs to realise its ambitions and fulfil its potential as one of the world’s greatest nations of innovators.
“We look forward to working with our winners and runners-up to take their businesses to the next level and help them to deliver real, tangible impact throughout Scotland and around the world.”