Sports tech platform and cyber security social enterprise recognised at Appin Entrepreneurship Prize

Two Edinburgh Napier University students have been recognised for their entrepreneurial potential after taking top honours at the Appin Entrepreneurship Prize 2026.

Kerrin Smith was awarded the £2,000 Appin Entrepreneurship Prize for RoburLabs, a platform that helps youth football academies bring together player development data in one place - enabling more informed and personalised decision-making for players and support staff.

The £1,000 One to Watch Award was presented to Calum Baird for CyberLink, a not-for-profit social enterprise that connects cyber security students with organisations that need affordable cyber security support and practical security assessments.

Delivered by Bright Red Triangle, Edinburgh Napier University's enterprise hub, the annual Appin Entrepreneurship Prize celebrates student innovation and supports the development of promising business ideas.

The competition is sponsored by Edinburgh Napier alumni Damien O'Looney and Bing Li, entrepreneurs and founders of Appin Sports.

Seven finalists pitched their ideas to an expert judging panel at Bright Red Triangle's Start-up Studio, demonstrating the diversity of student entrepreneurship at Edinburgh Napier.

The ideas which were presented ranged from sports technology and cyber security to health innovation, food products and community-focused initiatives.

Kerrin Smith, founder of RoburLabs and winner of the Appin Entrepreneurship Prize 2026, said: "Winning the Appin Entrepreneurship Prize 2026 means so much to me.

"To have RoburLabs recognised after all the work that has gone into building the idea and prototype is a huge confidence boost.

"This award will help me take the next steps in developing RoburLabs into a platform that can support players, coaches, parents, sports scientists and physios across academy football."

Calum Baird, founder of CyberLink and recipient of the One to Watch Award, said: "I'm delighted to have won the One to Watch Appin Award 2026.

"It's fantastic that the judges saw the potential of CyberLink to benefit multiple stakeholders by strengthening cyber security while creating opportunities for students to develop valuable workplace skills.

"This prize will help us take the next steps in connecting businesses and students to strengthen Scotland's cyber ecosystem."

Damien O'Looney, co-founder of Appin Sports, said: "We were delighted to support the Appin Entrepreneurship Prize again.

"As an Edinburgh Napier University alumnus I know how valuable this kind of encouragement can be at an early stage.

"The seven finalists presented a fantastic range of business ideas. What impressed me most about the winner and runner-up was how identified real practical needs in the market and developed innovative, practical solutions.

"I'm excited to see how all of the finalists continue to develop their businesses."

Nick Fannin, Head of Enterprise at Edinburgh Napier University, said: "The Appin Entrepreneurship Prize continues to showcase the breadth of entrepreneurial talent across Edinburgh Napier University.

"It's fantastic to see students from different disciplines identifying opportunities, developing innovative solutions and building the confidence to share their ideas.

"We look forward to supporting these ventures as they continue to grow."

The Appin Entrepreneurship Prize is open to students from all disciplines and aims to encourage entrepreneurial thinking, support the development of new ventures, and provide students with the confidence and resources to take their ideas forward.

Alongside prize funding, participants can continue to access support from Bright Red Triangle through business advice, mentoring, events and enterprise programmes designed to help students and graduates develop their ideas into sustainable ventures.