A Scottish university has expanded its incubator programme for robotics and artificial intelligence start-ups.
The expansion of the University of Edinburgh Venture Builder Incubator (VBI) programme means entrepreneurs from across Scotland working in robotics and artificial intelligence can turn their ideas into commercial reality.
Match-funding from the Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme, funded by the UK Government, means VBI has increased its support to postgraduate students, early-career researchers, academic staff and recent alumni based anywhere in Scotland specialising in robotics, hardware and autonomous systems, through its annual venture initiative.
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The programme has today unveiled the 26 start-ups and early-stage businesses delivering innovative solutions across a range of sectors including life sciences, biotech and renewable energy.
They will have the opportunity to receive a share of £100,000 and mentoring from industry-leading experts, as well as interactive workshops, professional networking events and access to the Bayes Centre’s state-of-the-art facilities in central Edinburgh.
VBI is delivered by the University of Edinburgh’s Innovation Hub for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, the Bayes Centre, with support from Edinburgh Innovations, the university’s commercialisation service.
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Duncan Martin, head of entrepreneurship at the Bayes Centre, said: "Venture Builder Incubator specialises in bridging the gap between academia and entrepreneurship, transforming ideas that have societal and industrial impact into reality.
"In particular, the expansion of our 2023 programme will support the development of robotics and autonomous systems companies across Scotland - vital to our nation's key growth sectors in renewable energy, agriculture and healthcare, as well as to the national economy."
Matt Corbidge, head of Eagle Labs, Barclays, said: "The opportunity to match-fund this programme will have a marked impact on the businesses it touches within robotics and highlight the possibilities for growth more broadly across the sector."
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He added: "The programme will provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to connect and collaborate, drive growth and work on the commercialisation of their product or service offering – all whilst accessing state-of-the-art facilities within the prestigious grounds of the University of Edinburgh."
Paul Scully, minister for technology and the digital economy, said: "Start-ups in Edinburgh are at the forefront of innovation in robotics and AI, poised to redefine global technology standards."
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