A company which has developed the world’s first real-time inspection system for welding using ultrasonic waves to detect defects as they occur has won a leading academic award programme.

InProcess, a University of Strathclyde spin-out, has secured a £50,000 cash prize and £20,000 of in-kind business support, after coming out on top at the Converge 2024 Awards. The annual competition is designed to celebrate and reward the pinnacle of Scottish academic innovation, recognising novel business ideas with solid intellectual property foundations, high commercial potential, and scalability.

The firm, which says its technology can save manufacturers millions of pounds, was co-founded by University of Strathclyde Researcher Momchil Vasilev.

He said: “Welding is an integral part of modern society and enables a number of crucial sectors, including the manufacture of net zero infrastructure like wind turbines where weld defects are very difficult to detect. Currently, these defects are usually found at the end of production, with up to 20% of assets needing further repairs.

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“We've created the first ultrasonic sensor capable of detecting these defects during manufacturing, potentially saving fabricators millions of pounds. We want to bring back manufacture of high-value components into the UK, and we want to create high-value and high-quality jobs here in Scotland.”

This year’s Converge runner-up prize was awarded to PCAD, also from the University of Strathclyde. Led by Iain McDougall and Anthony McGarry, PCAD is transforming prosthetic care by replacing outdated, labour-intensive fitting methods with a digital approach. Its solution digitally captures the 3D shape of an amputee's limb, reducing fitting time from hours to seconds and improving patient comfort.

Meanwhile KEPsoft Collaborative from the University of Glasgow secured the runner-up position in the Create Change category, which focuses on creative, social, and impact-driven enterprises. The not-for-profit spin-out, co-founded by University of Glasgow academics David Manlove and William Pettersson, and Vijay Luthrn, a strategic consultant and renal transplantee, is developing a software platform to increase the number of kidney transplants by efficiently matching donors with recipients.

In addition to the main category winners, special awards were presented including the Ventures Lab Award, presented by the Challenges Group. The prize went to Professor Sebastien Chastin from Glasgow Caledonian University, founder of MosaIQ, a pioneering training and consultancy agency facilitating collective, intelligence-driven solutions.

Adam Kosterka, executive director of Converge, said: “The calibre of innovation emerging from Scotland's universities continues to be world-class. InProcess, PCAD, and KEPsoft Collaborative are shining examples of how academic brilliance can lead to groundbreaking solutions with global potential. These emerging spin-outs are pioneering technologies that could revolutionise industries from manufacturing to healthcare.

“At Converge, we’re privileged to support innovative university founders 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.”

Deputy First Minister 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.”