[27/02/24] Venture Builder Incubator 4.0 Showcase: Igniting Innovation and Transforming Ideas into Reality
This year's Venture Builder Incubator Showcase, marking the 4th edition of supporting startups and early-stage businesses, was nothing short of a triumph.
With unwavering commitment, VBI 4.0 supported 26 startups across diverse industries, including life sciences, biotechnology, education, and renewable energy, offering them access to a shared fund of £100,000, mentorship, workshops, events, and top-notch facilities at our Bayes Centre in central Edinburgh.
Venture Builder Incubator specialises in bridging the gap between academia and entrepreneurship, turning ideas with societal and industrial impact into reality.
The expansion of VBI 4.0, spanning from 2023 to 2024, focused on the development of robotics and autonomous systems companies across Scotland. This strategic move is crucial for growth in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, and healthcare. Notably, we take pride in featuring founders sponsored by Cancer Research Horizons, dedicated to developing solutions to combat cancer.
Building upon its existing programme, which has supported over sixty founders and firms across ClimateTech, AI, AgriTech, FinTech, and Health since 2021, VBI 4.0 has undoubtedly raised the bar.
VBI 4.0 Showcase Success
The Central Hall, West Tollcross, EH3 9BP, came alive on 22nd February 2024, hosting a phenomenal VBI 4.0 Showcase. Over 200 attendees witnessed pitches from 15 early-stage companies, with an esteemed panel of judges including:
- Sarah Hardy, Director, Head of New Investment at Archangel Investors Limited
- Steven Drost, Chief Strategy Officer and co-Founder at CodeBase
- Chris van der Kuyl, Principal at Chroma Ventures
- Kathrin Cresswell, Senior Lecturer at University of Edinburgh
This year's awards session introduced three categories, each bringing an exciting twist to the ceremony. The People's Choice Award winners, Simpat Innovations, Papcup, and Eagle Ray Robotics, showcased groundbreaking contributions. The Judge Panel Selection Award winners, Prozymi Biolabs, Allied Medicine Ltd and Airspection, added another layer of anticipation and success to the entire 4.0 Cohort.
Laura Bernal, the programme manager, shared her thoughts on the event:
It’s been inspiring to witness the growth and innovation within our entrepreneurial community. The VBI 4.0 Showcase not only celebrates the achievements of our founders but also highlights the collaborative spirit that defines the University of Edinburgh ecosystem. We look forward to seeing these startups continue to make an impact.
What's Next?
As we close this chapter, we look forward to the University of Edinburgh AI Accelerator Showcase 2024 on the 20th March 2024. Request your free ticket here.
Register Interest for VBI 5.0:
As the curtains closed on the Venture Builder Incubator 4.0 Showcase, the Venture Builder Incubator team announced the upcoming opening of applications for the next iteration. Stay tuned for VBI 5.0, Interested individuals can register their interest here. Applications open in May 2024. The VBI programme is administered by the Bayes Centre in the University of Edinburgh, a hub for data science and artificial intelligence, and is supported by Edinburgh Innovations, the University’s commercialisation service. The programme is delivered on behalf of all the University’s Data-Driven Innovation Hubs, as part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative.
About the 15 Startups which Pitched at VBI 4.0 Showcase:
The event strategically divided into three diverse sections, each dedicated to a specific sub-cohort: