New entrepreneurs can often be so wrapped up in their brilliant idea that they fail to communicate it clearly to potential supporters, partners, investors - or anyone, really, who hasn't been part of their journey. In this episode, communication specialist Mel Sherwood talks to Alex Bennett about how business founders can use simple tips to articulate clearly their aims and their ask. Mel's background as a performer certainly helps her to communicate well, but anyone can learn how.

When Alison Wood found out that men in Kenya were giving schoolgirls sanitary pads as payment for sex, she got mad. Then, she decided to do something about it. Alison tells Alex Bennett the story of how, as an economics graduate from the University of Edinburgh, she founded a business making reusable pads for Kenya, and discovered another market for her products back home in the UK.

Bruce Ramsay, chief technology officer of Cyacomb (formerly Cyan Forensics) talks to Alex Bennet about his mission to clean up the internet and the challenge of doubling the size of his company during a global pandemic.

SolarisKit founder and Impact Challenge 2019 founder Faisal Ghani, talks to Alex Bennett about his big idea to create flat packed, solar-powered water heaters for the developing world. They talk about his inspiration, challenges along the way, and how participating in Converge helped him establish SolarisKit, now beginning production in Dundee.

Welcome to the Converge Challenge Podcast. This time it’s all about the next steps. In the last episode you heard how it felt to go through the final of a business competition, and what it meant to win for our four entrepreneurs. But after that win, what next? Money & Advice: The Lifeblood of New Businesses I want to find out what they did with the money, for example – that seems pretty important. But, just as important is the professional advice. You see, winners are matched up with acco...

Welcome to the Converge Challenge Podcast. Last time we got into pitch preparation, but this time it’s time to deliver. We’re going to find out what it takes to present a great investor pitch. Pitch Perfect Our four entrepreneurs have made it to the big Converge final now – the last hurdle is to get in front of a team of judges and sell their idea. Not over 60 seconds this time either, but 10 minutes, and that’s followed by plenty of time for questions. So, we’re going to delve deeper into ho...

Welcome to the Converge Challenge Podcast, and thanks for coming back for our 2nd episode. This time around we’ll be digging into the next stage in the journey as our four entrepreneurs go from idea to implementation. Early Lessons and Pitch Practice You’ll remember, last time we talked about the catalyst – the real starting point – from that initial idea through to the first steps in making it real. Now, we’re going to see what they learned during that shift that might help you in making you...

On this episode, we’re covering the ‘infamous idea’. That includes the background of our four role models, how they came up with their idea, where they looked for help in those early days and how they managed to find the nerve to take that first step. It’s funny that, no matter the back story, the catalyst, the end result, they just did it. Anyone can. Including you. It’s just down to taking those first steps. And if you need a bit of help, the Converge Team are there for you. Speak to the te...