The programme is designed to accelerate the best AI startups in the UK/Scotland, Europe and beyond to scale globally within a short timeframe and aims to attract disruptive scaleups that apply AI with high growth potential while helping them grow into world-leading companies. The University of Edinburgh is home to the largest centres for computing science and informatics in Europe.

Scale Space is backed by Blenheim Chalcot, UK-based digital venture builder and has partnered with Imperial College London to launch the first physical site in White City, London. Scale Space’s partnership with the University of Edinburgh will provide startup businesses on the Accelerator Programme with access to the wide range of expertise, mentoring and knowledge at Scale Space, to help them grow faster and stronger.

The 20 companies selected will each receive a £7,500 grant from the Scottish Funding Council through the Data Driven Innovation (DDI) scheme. The 6-month programme will be delivered online from the University of Edinburgh’s Bayes Centre and Scale Space in London’s White City Innovation District.

Mark Sanders, Executive Chairman, Scale Space, said: “Scale Space exists to help entrepreneurial businesses overcome the challenges of scaling up. Participants in the Post-Covid AI Accelerator will benefit from the combined expertise of the University of Edinburgh and Scale Space. The insight we provide will help these companies grow stronger together - all of which is part of Scale Space’s mission to help UK innovation flourish.”

Charlotte Waugh, Enterprise and Innovation Programme Lead, Edinburgh Innovations, said: “The University of Edinburgh is delighted to have Scale Space as a Partner on our Post-Covid AI Accelerator Programme, working with us to support the next generation of AI solutions. Scale Space’s experience in the scale up sector, its new digital platform and links across the UK and London is a great match for the University’s Data Driven expertise, providing those on the Programme with additional benefits and further developing the online delivery of this exciting and successful AI Accelerator Programme.”

Accelerator participants will benefit from specific and tailored advice as well as group working sessions and conferences to help their businesses grow. Examples include:

• Mentoring on business fundamentals such as securing investment, business modelling and financing, talent management and sales and marketing.
• Expert advice from industry leaders. 
• The opportunity to work at Scale Space for the London residential element. This will include the opportunity to meet Scale Space businesses and benefit from networking and insight events in Scale Space White City.
• Access to Scale Space Connect, the Scale Space digital community, for the duration of the programme. This will provide participants with access to knowledge banks and business growth services as well as the opportunity to exchange ideas with other participants in community forums.