The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Innovations have partnered once more for its AI Accelerator programme, which aims to help AI-focused start-ups maximise full commercial potential.
Applications open today [28 April 2020] for companies from Scotland, the UK and beyond. Those accepted will receive a package of support aimed at helping transform AI businesses into world-leading companies.
According to the team, the AI Accelerator has a proud track record in supporting innovative businesses. The 12 cohort companies which have just completed the AI Accelerator have raised a combined £4.3m through equity investments and grant funding awards while on the programme creating new, high-value jobs in the process.
The programme will be delivered both digitally and in-person by the University of Edinburgh’s Innovation Hub for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, the Bayes Centre, as part of the Bayes Centre DDE Innovation and Edinburgh Innovations, the University of Edinburgh’s commercialisation service. It is led by the Data-Driven Innovation Programme of the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal and delivered on behalf of all Data-Driven Innovation Hubs.
The programme, partnered by global strategic design consultancy NileHQ and supported by Huawei UK, is open to applications from scalable incorporated companies with high growth potential. The businesses must all use AI for wider societal benefit to deliver solutions in core areas such as health and wellbeing, social care, and environmental stewardship.
Charlotte Waugh, enterprise and innovation programme lead at Edinburgh Innovations, the University’s commercialisation service, said: “We’re delighted to invite applications for the next AI Accelerator, a highly successful programme that is helping maximise the commercial potential of innovative start-up companies.
“The programme provides founders with top level strategic advice and focuses on practical issues to help companies to achieve their growth aspirations. We also connect our cohorts to the local, national and international investment community which has been critical in helping participating companies secure millions of pounds in growth capital.”
The previous programme was delivered in partnership with Scale Space, a new community for innovative businesses looking to scale. Among the participants were a number of Scotland-based businesses including BioLiberty, which has designed an AI-powered robotic glove that strengthens the user’s grip.
Participant companies from further afield include Milan-based Indigo, creators of a no-code platform that enables companies to easily build, scale and analyse conversational experiences which are bespoke to their business.
The deadline for applications for the new AI Accelerator programme is 26 May. It will run for six months from mid-September.
