Edinburgh University opens 'transformational' tech incubator to all Scottish universities

The University of Edinburgh has opened up its tech incubator programme to “trailblazing” tech ideas from across Scottish universities. 

The Venture Builder Incubator was founded in 2021, with a mission to provide bridges between academic researchers and businesses, empowering university researchers to turn their digital innovations into real-world start-ups. 

This year the Incubator has taken on projects from 10 universities across Scotland, with ideas ranging in scope from aerodynamic HGV trailers to a digital app offering clinical, emotional, educational and spiritual support for young people with brain tumours. 

“It is fantastic to welcome such a range of creative and inspiring founders from across Scotland, with projects that could make huge improvements to people’s lives,” said Professor Kim Graham, provost of the University of Edinburgh. “This programme provides a transformational opportunity for the participants themselves and for the Scottish economy and is a fantastic example of the positive impact our universities have on the world."

Nazia Gillani, a PhD researcher at the university, is developing a smart home system to help older people avoid falls using artificial intelligence (AI). Gillani is working with 60 older adults, carers and clinicians to develop the project, which uses AI to detect subtle signs of frailty in older people and send alerts to warn of potential falls. 

“One third to half of older adults experience a gradual mobility decline, impacting around five million unpaid carers,” said Gillani. “This slow deterioration means that it can go unnoticed until a serious event happens, such as a fall, which can be devastating. Support from the Venture Builder this year will be invaluable to helping my idea become a reality and tackle this major issue.” 

Since its inception, the Incubator has supported more than 130 academics at the University of Edinburgh, with past cohorts raising more than £55m in grants and investments. The Incubator, which is delivered in collaboration with the Scottish Government’s Techscaler programme, will provide founders with access to funding, office space and mentorship at the Bayes Centre, the University of Edinburgh’s innovation hub for AI and data science.  

“Scotland’s universities are the engine rooms of Scottish innovation and invention,” said Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes. 

“They are home to a conveyor belt of ideas, innovations and inventions that not only present enormous economic potential, but real solutions to global challenges. The University of Edinburgh’s partnership with Techscaler has helped turn the Venture Builder Incubator into a nationwide initiative, a major step forward in expanding support for transformative projects across the country’s universities.”