SRUC innovator secures prize at Converge Awards
Jillian Gordon (second from left) receives her award from Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, alongside SRUC colleagues Carol Langston, Teresa Shutter and Matthew Gardiner. Photograph: Anna Moffat
An SRUC project has enjoyed success at this year’s Converge Awards, an annual ceremony designed to celebrate the pinnacle of Scottish academic innovation.
Ovation Agriculture secured one of two runner-up positions in the early-stage KickStart category, securing £7,500 in equity-free cash. Its groundbreaking work focuses on developing systems and training to detect and address dental disease in cattle.
Founded by SRUC lecturer – and former student – Jillian Gordon, the company has designed a dental gag that allows for the examination of a cow's mouth, potentially transforming animal welfare and farm productivity across Scotland and beyond.
Jillian said: “We are incredibly excited about this achievement and the opportunities it presents. This award will help us to further our mission of improving cattle well-being and providing practical solutions for farmers. We are also very grateful for the support from SRUC, the University of Edinburgh and Censis.”
Despite dental disease in cattle causing significant health and welfare concerns, regular dental health checks are not currently provided for the national herd. This oversight stems from a lack of specialised tools and knowledge rather than negligence. While the sector invests millions in improving overall health, welfare, and feed conversion efficiency, oral health – a crucial starting point for digestion – has received limited attention.
With 1.7 million cows in Scotland, 9.6 million in the whole UK, and 1.5 billion globally, the potential impact of Ovation Agriculture's innovation is substantial. The company plans to manufacture its dental gag tool and develop training resources to improve the way practitioners approach dental health in cattle. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance cattle welfare, increase production efficiency, and promote more sustainable farming practices in Scotland, the UK, and internationally.
At the awards ceremony in Edinburgh, which was attended by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Converge presented 12 prizes to Scottish universities across its four award categories of Converge, Create Change, KickStart, and Net Zero, with a total prize fund of over £300,000.
Adam Kosterka, executive director of Converge, commented on this year's cohort: “The calibre of innovation emerging from Scotland's universities continues to be world-class and Ovation Agriculture is a shining example of how academic brilliance can lead to groundbreaking solutions with global potential. Projects like Ovation Agriculture are not just creating products; they’re shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future for Scotland and beyond.
“At Converge, we’re privileged to support innovative founders like Jillian Gordon 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.”
Kate Forbes said: “Translating world-class research from our universities into new innovative technologies and businesses is key to delivering on Scotland’s National Innovation Strategy to drive economic growth.
“Converge plays a vital role in providing a supportive environment for innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and connect with investors, mentors and industry 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 network of eight corporate partners, Converge works in partnership with 18 of Scotland's universities. Since its launch in 2011, the programme has trained over 670 aspiring founders and supported the creation of over 420 companies that enjoy an above-average three-year survival rate of over 80% (as of 1 June 2024).
Open to students, recent graduates, and staff, Converge supports new businesses through intensive business training, networking, 1-2-1 support, generous equity free cash prizes and expert, professional advice from its roster of industry partners.
To find out more visit www.convergechallenge.com
Posted by SRUC on 04/10/2024
