The Start Up Factory Grand Final brought together student innovators from across Scotland at the University of Glasgow, showcasing the next generation of entrepreneurial talent.
Among the standout performers were four students from Glasgow Clyde College, who were part of the 1st and 3rd place teams, securing prizes of £5,000 and £2,000 respectively. Their success highlights the creativity and ambition emerging from the college’s student community.
Developed by the University of Glasgow’s Student Enterprise team and supported by the Scottish Government, the Startup Factory programme brings together students from further and higher education to collaborate in mixed teams. Participants work on early-stage ideas addressing social, environmental and technological challenges, supported through intensive workshops, mentoring and practical activities.
Projects presented at the Grand Final spanned a wide range of themes, including energy and climate innovation, sustainable food systems, community wellbeing and digital technologies — reflecting the programme’s strong emphasis on sustainability and real-world impact.
All participating students also completed the 12-week LaunchPad Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme, helping them build confidence, develop their ideas and prepare for pitching at the final.
The achievements of the Glasgow Clyde College students underline the strength of Scotland’s emerging talent pipeline — and the role of programmes like Startup Factory in supporting future founders to turn ideas into impactful ventures.