Heriot-Watt lecturer wins £16,500 in business competition

A Chemistry lecturer at Heriot-Watt University recently won the first prize of £16,500 from the university’s Converge Challenge.

Dr. Paul Henderson’s winning idea was a saliva-based drug test that can be used on the roadside and in the workplace.

Dr. Henderson told The Journal: “I certainly had high hopes of winning this, mainly for the prestige of winning against 27 other applicants.”

The Converge Challenge is a business plan competition open to staff and students of the University as well as members of the University’s associated research pools, it was organised by Olga Kozlova, Enterprise Creation Manager at Heriot-Watt University.

After generating an original business idea, selected applicants attended a residential, two-day training programme at the Heriot-Watt University Postgraduate Centre led by a professional enterprise consultant, where they were helped to develop respective business plans.

A panel of Scottish entrepreneurs, investors and intellectual property specialists assessed 30-minute investment pitches based on the quality of products, the viability of the business idea and the individual’s enthusiasm and drive to succeed.

“The process was rigorous”, commented Dr. Henderson, “especially the 'dragon's den' type grilling we got!”

The winning package includes £5,000 to start up a company and turn their plans into reality, 6 months of free office accommodation as well as mentoring and support in legal matters, finance and business development from well established businesses in the Edinburgh area.

The prize will allow Dr Henderson to spin out his company DrugCo to produce its first product, a device for the presumptive testing of narcotics in saliva.

“We are hoping to sell this to the police for use at the roadside. Then we will tackle the workplace testing market. At the moment, only pilots and bus and train drivers are tested for drugs. In the US, 50 per cent of employers test their employees and it is growing [in the United Kingdom].

“The prize money is useful but it isn't really enough to get a company going. That is why we are pitching for £400,000 over two years.

"The prestige of winning this prize, however, far outstrips its financial value.”