On 17th September 2025, VeryConnect hosted the inaugural Inform Prize – Glasgow at The Social Hub. The event brought together students, employers, academics and industry leaders for an afternoon of collaboration and innovation.
About the Inform Prize
Created by Aberdeen’s Intelligent Plant in 2014, The Inform Prize gives students the chance to showcase their skills while connecting local employers with emerging talent. The event exposes participating students to opportunities available in the region while supporting businesses meeting the workforce of the future.
The Glasgow edition continued the tradition of inviting computing science students from across the city to present their projects, answer questions from an industry panel and refine the vital skill of communicating ideas in a clear and engaging way.
Networking and Industry Connections
Inform Prize – Glasgow attracted a mix of organisations including JP Morgan Glasgow City Innovation District, Tinrocket Space, Entrepreneurial Scotland, Geovation Scotland and Intelligent Plant.
For students, the varied presence from industry offered direct insight into Scotland’s entrepreneurial and tech ecosystem while businesses benefited from meeting new talent. The event brought together a valuable mix of industry connections that reinforced the Inform Prize’s goal of linking academia, industry and innovation in Glasgow.
The Glasgow edition continued the tradition of inviting computing science students from across the city to present their projects, answer questions from an industry panel and refine the vital skill of communicating ideas in a clear and engaging way.
Keynote from Catherine McNeil
Head of Cloud Engineering at Smarter Grid Solutions, Catherine McNeil spoke about the importance of staying open-minded in software development, asking questions and being willing to learn along the way. She highlighted how teamwork and communication are critical during complex projects and encouraged students to take opportunities to connect with employers through events such as the Inform Prize.
Awards and Winning Projects
Inform Prize (Best Presentation)
Recognises a team’s ability to clearly communicate their project while avoiding jargon and engaging the audience.
Winning team: Team SH17 from the University of Glasgow
Team SH17’s project, ReNact, enables users to create playable educational museums with multiple rooms, exhibits and pathways. Doors between rooms can contain quizzes, making the experience both interactive and educational.
Enhance Prize (Best Implementation)
Highlights strong technical skill and effort, with a system that demonstrates depth and quality.
Winning team: !Mature Students from the University of Strathclyde
!Mature Students developed The RV (Rendezvous Point), an app designed to help veterans transition to civilian life. It offers a daily routine and physical training platform to support wellbeing along with a network of resources covering employment, healthcare and education and a community hub for peer support.
Grow Prize (Best Idea)
Celebrates an idea that has clear business potential and the vision to make a strong impact.
Winning team: Team Greggs from the University of Glasgow
Team Greggs’ project, MapGenie, combines the power of AI with mapping software to generate maps through natural language prompts. The maps can be downloaded for offline field use and users can adjust styling directly from the app to improve usability.
All three winning projects captured the spirit of the Inform Prize and the judges were impressed by the creativity and effort on display. Beyond competing, the format encouraged students to interact with peers from other universities. With students from the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde working in multiple small teams, the event created space to share ideas and form connections across campuses.
Event Sponsors
The 2025 Glasgow Inform Prize was made possible with the support of its sponsors. Glasgow City Council backed the event as part of their commitment to driving innovation and growth in the city’s tech ecosystem.
Venue sponsorship came from The Social Hub, whose vibrant space reflected the collaborative spirit of the day. Located in Glasgow, The Social Hub provides modern student accommodation alongside co-working and community spaces. They were an ideal partner for an initiative that bridges students and industry.
Looking Ahead for 2026 and Beyond
The success of the launch shows the potential for the Glasgow Inform Prize to become a regular fixture in the city’s calendar. By connecting students, employers and industry partners, the event strengthens collaboration across Glasgow’s tech community and highlights the city as a place where new talent can thrive.
Explore the full photo gallery from the 2025 Glasgow Inform Prize and stay updated as we share details for the 2026 event by clicking here.
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