6
Months duration
Hybrid
Online + In-person
5-6
Hours per week
1:1
Dedicated mentorship
AI & Technology
Build scalable, responsible AI
Network & Community
Access Edinburgh's innovation ecosystem
Customers & Sales
Build scalable, responsible AI
Business Operations
Build a solid operational foundation
Funding & Finance
Secure investment and manage growth
People & Leadership
Build and lead high-performing teams
Venture Builder Incubator runs over five months, from late October to March, with a break in December. It’s designed to be flexible and fit alongside your academic commitments, requiring around 12 hours of your time per month.
Online workshops take place twice a week via Zoom - every Tuesday and Thursday from 16:00 to 17:30 - totaling 3 hours per week.
Please note that dates may change.
Key Dates Application Deadline: 07 Jul 2025 Programme Start: 14 Oct 2025 Welcome Day: 29/30 Oct 2025 Bootcamp Day: 10/11 Dec 2025 December Break: 11 Dec 2025 to 09 Jan 2026March Showcase: 4/5 Mar 2026Programme End: 12 Mar 2026
Through our ongoing partnership with Cancer Research Horizons, we offer tailored support for research staff and academics working on deep-tech oncology-related innovations from universities and hospitals across the UK.
When
12th January 2026
23rd March 2026
Online Information Session: 4:00 PM, 15 April 2026
In-Person Information Session: 4:00 PM, 22 April 2026 (Bayes Centre)
12:00 PM, 11 May 2026
9:00 AM, 19 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.
