6
Months duration
Hybrid
Online + In-person
5-6
Hours per week
1:1
Dedicated mentorship
Guidance from successful founders:
Core elements of starting a business:
Tailored guidance to refine your business approach:
Secure essential financial support:
Leverage support from strategic partners:
When
12th January 2026
23rd March 2026
12:00 PM, 11 May 2026
11:59 PM, Sunday, 17 May 2026
Dates in June (online)
End of June 2026
September 2026 (in Edinburgh)
Answer
No specific sector focus. You should be developing or training your own AI and your proposition should be based on AI. Purpose driven applicants are particularly encouraged.
Preferred applicants areincorporated companies, ideally post-revenue with some funding and fully dedicated founders.High potential pre-revenue companies may also apply. We are looking for well established startups that are ready to scale. You should have:
Yes, international companies who are interested in engaging with Scotland are welcome to apply. Workshops and meetings will be managed around UK time and some sessions must be attended in person (this will be two consecutive days per month in Edinburgh and two trips to London).
Applicants need to fill out a basic online form to check if they meet the necessary criteria. If they qualify, they will be asked to complete a more detailed application form (available from late March).Those shortlisted will be invited to present their pitch to a selection panel in June and may also have a follow-up interview. Final results will be announced by the end of June.
Yes. Anticipate the application to take between 60-90 minutes to complete.
10-14 companies
No.
Answer
Free access to hot desks and meeting spaces at the Bayes Centre during the programme and optionally the following six months. Includes access to community events to facilitate networking with the AI and data science tech ecosystem at Bayes.
No. You will definitely be introduced to people and opportunities which could help develop your AI, but this is a more holistic business development programme to scale your business. with specific activities for AI driven companies (eg. MLOps, AI regulatory landscape).
The programme adopts a hybrid format, combining online sessions with an in-person monthly two day event in Edinburgh. Activity includes workshops, 1-1 mentorship, and informal cohort sessions. Additionally, participants will make two separate trips to London.
Approximately 5-6 hours per week, mainly on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with breaks over Christmas and several rest weeks.
Partners and supporters provide ad-hoc training, mentorship and connections, and participate in various capacities such as sessions and 1-1 engagements.
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Bayes Centre, 47 Potterrow, Edinburgh, EH8 9BT
