Edinburgh social enterprise spinout EPIC Think Learn dominates the shortlist of the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards 2026, reaching the finals in four categories of the awards, which celebrate academic and industry collaborations.
Co-founder of EPIC, Professor Sinead Rhodes of the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research, is a finalist for Knowledge Exchange Champion and co-founder Iona Beange is a finalist in the Knowledge Exchange Hero category.
Their social enterprise, which spun out in 2024, provides child-centred, research-based resources for parents, caregivers and teachers of autistic children and those who have ADHD, dyspraxia or were born prematurely.
Also a finalist in the ‘Making a Social Difference’ and ‘Research and Innovation in Digital Health’ categories, EPIC recently announced Scottish Government funding for 1000 places on its platform, reflecting its role in supporting those with children on long NHS waiting lists.
Another University spinout, SeaWarm, is a finalist in the ‘Place-Based Impact’ category with its modular heating technology that draws water from seas and rivers to provide sustainable heating for homes and businesses. The system is being successfully piloted in partnership with LAR Housing Trust, Port Edgar Marina, Growforth Ltd, and the Museum of Lead Mining.
The company is led by Professor Chris McDermott of the School of GeoSciences, former University hydrogeologist Dr Gus Fraser-Harris, and CSM Plumbing and Heating’s Cameron Muir.
In the Inward Investment Impact category is finalist Aquallite, working with Edinburgh’s School of Maths to develop a product that will unlock scalability for offshore wind by delivering better data faster.
Dr Andrea Taylor, CEO of Edinburgh Innovations, said:
It’s fantastic to see our spinouts and industry collaborations recognised in the SKEA nominations.
EPIC, SeaWarm and the Aquallite partnership represent impact across our three key mission areas: shaping the future of health and care, tackling the climate and environmental crisis and harnessing data, digital and AI for public good.
We wish them all luck for the finals on March 19. ”
Now in its 11th year, the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards, organised by Interface, recognise and reward innovative collaborations that deliver economic, environmental and social benefits for Scotland.
Amelia Whitelaw, Director of Interface, said:
What stood out this year was the strength of collaboration across sectors. We’re seeing businesses, public bodies and third sector organisations working with colleges, research institutions and universities in ways that are delivering real impact for Scotland, from tackling net zero challenges to improving health and well-being. That’s exactly what these awards are here to recognise. ”
The awards ceremony will take place at the Macrobert Arts Centre, University of Stirling, on 19th March.
