University of Edinburgh Opens Applications for AI Accelerator Programme
The University of Edinburgh is accepting applications for its AI Accelerator programme, which targets scale-ups with a foundation in Artificial Intelligence. The programme is open to businesses both within Scotland and globally and is designed to support these enterprises' growth and commercial development.
The deadline for application submissions is 19th May. The programme aims to select up to 16 companies that emphasise AI applications for societal improvement in areas such as health and environmental sustainability. The selected businesses will participate in a programme from September to March 2025.
The AI Accelerator supports participating companies to aid their international expansion, including investment strategy development and introductions to potential investors. Financial aid and workshops addressing various commercial challenges will also be available to the participants.
Since 2018, the AI Accelerator has supported a range of companies in expanding their global reach, with participants from previous cohorts securing in excess of £67m in external funding.
The University, recognised for its excellence in data science and informatics research, leverages its academic expertise and resources through the Bayes Centre and Edinburgh Innovations to enhance the value provided to companies in the AI Accelerator.
The 2024 iteration of the programme will be delivered both online and in person, embodying the collaborative spirit of the university’s Data-Driven Innovation Hubs.
Previous programme participants include MySmash Media, Bennu.ai, and Dyneval. The programme showcases the diversity of AI's applications, from entertainment to environmental sustainability and health.
Fiona Gillies, CEO and co-founder of MySmash Media stated: “The six months we spent with the AI Accelerator programme made a significant impact on our company by helping us identify and further develop commercial opportunities to reach new markets.
“Along with high calibre mentoring and guidance, the programme was also instrumental in opening doors to potential investors and grant funding channels which are key in helping scale an AI-driven business like ours.”
Professor Ruth King, Director of the Bayes Centre, commented:
“We’re delighted to be marking the fifth year of our AI Accelerator programme which supports AI-driven businesses to further commercialise their proposition and become world leaders in their field. We are proud to have supported over 80 companies in their growth journey by offering mentoring and guidance while opening access to new networks to help them secure funding and investment.
“AI has become increasingly prominent as a disruptive technology impacting all aspects of our lives. The University of Edinburgh has been recognised as a world leader in AI research for more than 60 years. We understand the importance of utilising this technology in an ethical and trustworthy manner to deliver social and economic benefits. We now look forward to receiving applications from innovative and ambitious scaleups from within Scotland and across the globe which use AI to tackle key societal challenges.”
