Edinburgh’s AI Accelerator programme announces 2025 line up
Promising startups developing AI for health, sustainable fashion and cybersecurity are among 12 companies selected for this year’s University of Edinburgh AI Accelerator.
This year’s cohort includes Transdermal Diagnostics, an enterprise developing breakthrough needle-free wearables to transform chronic disease management and CircKit, an AI-powered toolkit that helps fashion brands design more sustainable products and automate compliance with net zero regulations.
The programme will also welcome LastingAsset, a Trust-Tech cybersecurity spinout from Edinburgh Napier University. LastingAsset is pioneering an innovative solution to combat impersonation fraud using cryptography and privacy-preserving machine learning.
The six-month initiative, designed to help AI-driven companies grow into world-leading businesses, provides expert-led workshops and supports startups to shape investment strategies and connect with potential investors.
We’re delighted to welcome our ninth cohort, many of whom are developing AI driven solutions for pressing global challenges.
AI is such a hot topic for every business right now and this has been by far our toughest year in terms of selecting our 12 candidates. We’re looking forward to helping transform these innovative startups into world-leading companies through our guidance and support network.
Katy Guthrie
Programme Manager for the AI Accelerator, Edinburgh Innovations
The University expanded its selection process this year to attract a broader range of tech-focused scaleups that are poised to make a significant real-world impact.
Co-founders of ProfessorMe, Daisy McConville (left) and Dr Kate Smith (right)
The AI Accelerator turbo-boosted ProfessorMe in terms of our business know-how, our network, scaling up and firmly planted us in the heart of the AI sector.
It also gave ProfessorMe a home and a community, which, as hardworking female founders, gives us the resources to continue our social impact business.
Dr Kate Smith
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ProfessorMe
The University of Edinburgh is number one in the UK for research power in Computer Science and Informatics - according to Times Higher Education, based on the 2021 Research Excellence Framework - making it part of a powerful ecosystem for AI innovation.
