SAMS researchers win top awards

Two researchers from SAMS, a partner of UHI, have picked up prizes at the recent Converge Awards, highlighting the innovative science underway at the ocean research charity.

Masters student Thomas Bartram and Prof. Adam Hughes have won two early stage Blue Economy Special Prizes for MycoMara AI and AMPERE respectively, at Scotland’s prestigious Converge Awards, securing £12,500 each to help transform their innovations into thriving businesses.

Converge is backed by the Scottish Funding Council, a network of corporate partners and Scotland’s universities. Since its 2011 launch, the programme has trained over 1000 aspiring founders and supported the creation of more than 500 companies.

Spanning six challenges from early-stage ideas through to established start-ups, the competition is designed to reflect every stage of the entrepreneurial journey. Winners receive equity-free cash prizes, training from experienced entrepreneurs and access to a professional network to help turn their research into commercially viable businesses.

MycoMara AI was designed to build a living, AI-enabled library of underexplored marine fungi to unlock new bioactive molecules for biotechnology and drug discovery, with a focus on areas such as antibiotics, oncology and inflammation.

AMPERE was designed to use autonomous, low-cost, modular systems to boost calcification in corals and oysters, helping these keystone species grow faster, withstand climate stresses and unlock investment in habitat recovery through biodiversity credits and marine net gain. Both projects were awarded for their outstanding innovation and commercial potential.

The awards, held at Barony Hall in Glasgow, celebrated the next generation of Scottish entrepreneurs, recognising ventures with the potential to tackle major societal challenges with a combined prize fund of £410,000. While Thomas was at the ceremony to collect his award, Head of Enterprise Steve Ham was on hand to collect Adam’s award in his absence.

Masters student Thomas Bertram with Steve Ham, Managing Director of SAMS Enterprise, who picked up the prize on behalf of Professor Adam Hughes.

There were 123 participants entering this year’s competition from across Scotland, and the 34 finalists represented a record 15 Scottish universities, in one of the most competitive and diverse cohorts in the history of the programme.

Adam Kosterka, Executive Director of Converge, said: “This year’s finalists represent one of the strongest and most diverse cohorts in our history, spanning industries from healthcare to climate tech. Being selected among such a competitive field is a testament to the skill, creativity and commercial potential of all our winners.

“This year’s awards are not only a testament to the winners, but also an example of successful collaboration across Scotland’s business landscape, demonstrating the incredible impact of providing young innovators with the business expertise and networks required to help their businesses flourish.”

Businesses taking part in the Converge programme have a three-year survival rate of 86%, significantly above the national average. This reflects both the strength of innovation emerging from universities and the quality, support and rigour of the programme.

Building on that milestone, Converge is preparing to launch Converge 2.0 in 2027, an evolved offering which will broaden its support and introduce more tailored, sector-specific pathways for ventures at an advanced stage of development.

To find out more about the programme and the projects it supports visit Converge.