Advances in quantum technology, space exploration and AI were some of the developments explored at Scotland’s premier tech showcase this month.
Hundreds of investors from across Europe gathered to meet leading figures from the technology industry, discover more about Scotland’s advanced manufacturing strategy and hear pitches from top-rated scaleups.
First launched in 2008, this year’s event, EIE25, has been co-hosted by the University and tech investment community Tech Tour.
During the event, Scottish Government’s former chief entrepreneurial adviser Mark Logan presented Scotland’s Deep Tech Supercluster initiative, which aims to provide ways for advanced science and engineering spin-outs to scale-up and grow in Scotland.
The Supercluster is led by Scottish Enterprise, in partnership with the National Robotarium, the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, and works with Scottish universities on their spin-out activities.
As part of phase one, the initiative is building a new large-scale advanced manufacturing facility in Renfrewshire, which will add new high-value posts to existing facilities and services from September.
More than 40 companies from across the world pitched for start-up and scale-up investment during the joint event, including eight Scottish businesses who have been rated in the top 130 by Tech Tour for their growth potential.
One of the eight Scottish businesses pitching this year is Sofant Technologies, a University of Edinburgh spin-out that secured £6.2 million from the UK and European space agencies in 2022 to develop a low-cost, low-power satellite communications platform. It is now seeking additional investment to launch its first commercial product.
Energy storage company Sunamp, which co-developed its technology with Professor Colin Pulham of the School of Chemistry was also pitching.
This annual event, held in the University’s John McIntyre Conference Centre, supports investment opportunities for leading spin-outs, start-ups, and scale-ups from Scotland’s top universities.
Since its launch in 2008, EIE has fuelled over 550 tech ventures and helped secure more than £1.2 billion in investment.
The showcase provides a networking platform for global investors to explore impactful opportunities and engage with Scotland’s innovation ecosystem.
It plays a key role in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation Initiative, helping to drive wealth creation and economic impact for Scotland.
EIE25 is a fantastic opportunity for global investors to discover the novel technologies emerging from Scottish universities and beyond, rooted in advanced science and engineering research, which have the potential to transform the world in areas from future health and care to climate and environment, as well as data and AI for good.
