GCU announces 2026 Seed Funding Award Winners
Glasgow Caledonian University proudly celebrated the achievements of its emerging entrepreneurs as the recipients of the 2026 Seed Funding Awards were officially announced at a special event in the GCU Entrepreneurial Hub.
The celebration brought together staff, students, graduates, and ambassadors for an evening dedicated to innovation, creativity, and impact. The awards - made possible through the generous support of Santander Universities and donations to the GCU Common Good Fund, and amounting to £35,000 - recognise the exceptional talent and ambition within GCU’s entrepreneurial community.
During the event, guests heard inspiring reflections from previous Seed Funding Award recipients, who shared their journeys from early ideas to successful ventures. Their stories highlighted the transformative role of the Entrepreneurial Hub in helping students and graduates build confidence, develop business skills, and bring their concepts to life.
This year’s awards attracted a diverse range of applications, showcasing the breadth of innovation emerging across the University - from social enterprise and sustainability to digital solutions, health tech, and creative sector start‑ups.
Jill Watt, Director of Advancement and Communications, said: “These awards are a celebration of what becomes possible when creativity is met with encouragement and opportunity. We are delighted to congratulate this year’s Seed Funding Award winners, whose creativity, determination, and hard work have led them to this well‑deserved recognition. Their achievements highlight the strength and potential of GCU’s entrepreneurial community.”
GCU is delighted to introduce the 2026 Seed Funding Award winners, who have demonstrated exceptional drive, originality, and commitment to the University’s mission of the Common Good:
2026 Seed Funding Award Recipients
Fraser Godden – Joga Bonito (£1,000)
Joga Bonito is a Scottish football podcast and digital content project focused on telling inclusive, community-driven stories from all levels of the game, with the ambition to grow into a sustainable media brand.
William Ayodile – ClaimSight (£2,000)
ClaimSight is a consumer-first, AI-enabled mobile platform that helps policyholders capture complete, accurate insurance claim evidence at first notification of loss - improving fairness, speed and outcomes for both customers and insurers.
Myles Allan – YourSet (£1,000)
YourSet is a DJ development academy and live showcase platform designed to remove the barriers between bedroom DJs and real performance opportunities.
Donia Azmi – WellWay (£1,000)
WellWay offers inclusive outdoor wellness through accessible, eco-friendly mobile sauna and open water cold plunge experiences - creating a pathway from short wellness sessions to immersive retreats for wheelchair users.
Geerthana Ramachandran - Moringa Elite: Ethical Superfoods (£1,000)
This sustainable food venture exports natural moringa powder from India to the UK, promoting health, affordability and environmental responsibility.
David Mundemba – ReWRK’D (£1,000)
ReWRK’D gives discarded fashion a second life by reworking vintage garments into unique, sustainable pieces for a new generation.
Ross Wardrop – DRAM Media (£1,000)
DRAM Media is a content agency providing photography, videography and social media content to clients across Glasgow and beyond.
Dr Jane McKay (£2,000)
Jane supports and educates women to manage menopause through bespoke, evidence led holistic health plans, all underpinned by her M3 Model - Movement, Mindset, Metabolism.
Trish Dunlop – The Learning Collaborative (£2,000)
This venture supports parents and carers with practical, evidence based workshops designed to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and enable earlier, healthier conversations with children and young people about substance use and risk.
Nathan Thomson – Clinical Audit Compass Ltd (£2,000)
This clinician led digital platform helps healthcare professionals capture real clinical work as audit, CPD and reflective evidence - all in a structured, governance aligned way.
Edwin Alias – UFarms.io Ltd (£2,000)
UFarms transforms fragmented, manual farming into a smart connected operation by using real time sensing and intelligent automation to help growers reduce waste, cut costs and consistently improve yields.
Tolulope Akinwumi – FìorDára (£2,000)
FìorDára is a Scotland based cultural fashion brand creating ethically produced garments that fuse African and Scottish textiles and silhouettes into modern, sustainable designs celebrating identity, heritage and craftsmanship.
Kevin Walls – Sonorous Films (£5,000)
Sonorous Films is an independent production company releasing original films in local cinemas, strengthening cultural visibility and supporting sustainable filmmaking in Scotland.
Carolyn Kent, Linsey Paton Donaldson & Susan Anderson – Women’s Football Hub (£5,000)
Women’s Football Hub provides opportunities for women and girls to try football in a fun, supportive and non competitive environment - helping to grow confidence, community and participation in the sport.
Maria McGuire – MiSolve (£5,000)
MiSolve is a digital wellbeing and behavioural change organisation and platform that combines neuroscience, hypnotherapy and psychoeducation to deliver scalable, accessible mental wellbeing support for individuals and organisations.