Applications open for University of Edinburgh’s AI accelerator
The University of Edinburgh has opened applications for its 2025 AI Accelerator programme.
The six-month programme, which will begin on 17 September 2025, enables AI-focused “scaleup” companies with a proven business model to connect with potential investors and shape their investment strategies.
Delivered by the University of Edinburgh’s Bayes Centre innovation hub, participants also get access to expert-led workshops, technical guidance and mentoring from established companies to help drive commercial growth.
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 start-ups into world-leading companies and supporting wider economic growth.
“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.”
AI Accelerator participants will also benefit from collaboration and business exposure opportunities via links to University of Edinburgh’s six, multi-disciplinary data-driven innovation hubs, which include the National Robotarium, Edinburgh Futures Institute, the Edinburgh International Data Facility and the Usher Institute, in addition to the Bayes Centre.
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’s commercialisation service.
Daniel Winterstein, a PhD graduate at the University of Edinburgh and cofounder of ethical ad-tech company Good-Loop, 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.”
Murray Collins, chief executive at Space Intelligence, who participated in the 2021 cohort, added: “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.”
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 [email protected]
Earlier in April, the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI) selected 21 UK digital health companies to join its 2025 US Accelerator.
The cohort will get the opportunity to scale their businesses using ABHI’s network of hospital systems and life science communities.
