The University of Edinburgh has opened applications for its 2025 AI Accelerator programme.<\/b><\/p>\n
The six-month programme, which will begin on 17 September 2025, enables AI-focused \u201cscaleup\u201d companies with a proven business model to connect with potential investors and shape their investment strategies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Delivered by the University of Edinburgh\u2019s Bayes Centre innovation hub, participants also get access to expert-led workshops, technical guidance and mentoring from established companies to help drive commercial growth.<\/p>\n
Katy Guthrie, programme manager of the AI Accelerator, said: \u201cAI is having a profoundly positive impact on companies and their growth across the globe and through our programme we are helping transform innovative start-ups into world-leading companies and supporting wider economic growth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve also decided to open our selection process to encourage a broader range of businesses to benefit, and we\u2019ll be refocusing on scaleups with products that are ready to make an impact.\u201d<\/p>\n
AI Accelerator participants will also benefit from collaboration and business exposure opportunities via links to University of Edinburgh\u2019s six, multi-disciplinary data-driven innovation hubs, which include the National Robotarium<\/a>, Edinburgh Futures Institute, the Edinburgh International Data Facility and the Usher Institute, in addition to the Bayes Centre.<\/p>\n Workshops will cover topics such as pricing, leadership and scaling, and will complemented by additional activities delivered online in partnership with Edinburgh Innovation, the university\u2019s commercialisation service.<\/p>\n Daniel Winterstein, a PhD graduate at the University of Edinburgh and cofounder of ethical ad-tech company Good-Loop<\/a>, said: \u201cAs the only UK city to be named an AI leader, it\u2019s fair to say that we have a real opportunity here and I am so excited to meet the cohort.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAccess 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Murray Collins, chief executive at Space Intelligence<\/a>, who participated in the 2021 cohort, added: \u201cThe programme introduced us to the different skills needed to grow a business over and above our academic and technical ability. <\/p>\n \u201cAs a result, we have grown significantly.\u201d<\/p>\n Pre-qualifications close at 12pm on Weds 14 May. The deadline for applications closes at 9am on Monday 19 May. Enquiries can be sent to aia@ei.ed.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n