Applications are now open for the University of Edinburgh's AI Accelerator programme for 2025. The university is inviting tech scaleups from around the world to apply for its six-month initiative.
The programme aims to help Artificial Intelligence-focused scaleups maximise their commercial potential by providing support tailored to drive business transformation and growth. Delivered by the University of Edinburgh, the 2025 cohort will see an expanded selection process to encourage participation from a wider range of tech businesses.
This year, Daniel Winterstein, a PhD graduate from the University of Edinburgh and co-founder of Good-Loop, will join the Accelerator as Technical Entrepreneur in Residence. Winterstein will offer technical guidance and mentorship to participating companies.
Daniel Winterstein said, "As the only UK city to be named an AI leader, it's fair to say that we have a real opportunity here and I am so excited to meet the cohort. Access to capital and talent are their biggest barriers to growth in the UK and we want to support them to overcome these challenges with our programme so that as a city and a university we can continue to lead the way with AI."
The programme is delivered through the University of Edinburgh's Bayes Centre, in collaboration with Edinburgh Innovations. It combines monthly in-person workshops in Edinburgh with online content and two scheduled trips to London. The AI Accelerator provides a platform for participating companies to refine their investment strategies and connect with potential investors.
Participants will take part in workshops led by experts on subjects such as pricing, leadership, and scaling, all designed to support commercial growth. Through access to the university's academic expertise and connections with its Data-Driven Innovation hubs, participants will have opportunities for collaboration and business exposure.
The University of Edinburgh is known for hosting the largest centres for computing science and informatics in Europe. The AI Accelerator leverages these capabilities in supporting scaleups seeking to expand their impact in the AI sector.
Among the previous Accelerator participants was Chirrup, a company that provides landholders with biodiversity monitoring solutions. Chirrup reported that their participation helped them clarify their business focus and target food processor intermediaries, resulting in the development of customised marketing and sales tools for these clients.
Dr. Murray Collins, Chief Executive Officer of Space Intelligence and a 2021 cohort participant, commented, "The programme introduced us to the different skills needed to grow a business over and above our academic and technical ability. As a result, we have grown significantly, including raising investment at the seed and Series A stages from global entities like Equinor and Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE), owners of the New York Stock Exchange.
"Since the Accelerator, we've publicly worked with major clients, such as Shell and Apple, and won several funding competitions that have helped to solidify our position as a leading player in this space."
Katy Guthrie, Programme Manager of the AI Accelerator, said, "AI is having a profoundly positive impact on companies and their growth across the globe and through our programme, we are helping transform innovative startups into world-leading companies and supporting wider economic growth. Space Intelligence is just one example of the success that can be achieved. We invite startups and scaleups from tech businesses around the globe to join us."
"We've also decided to open our selection process to encourage a broader range of businesses to benefit, and we'll be refocusing on scaleups with products that are ready to make an impact."
The deadline for pre-qualification is noon on 14 May, while applications close at 9:00 AM on 19 May. The programme will run for six months starting on 17 September in Edinburgh.
