Please join us on Thursday 23 May for our first online Information Session. Find out how the programme can help postgraduate researchers and academic staff explore and validate the commercial potential of their research or innovation. Bring your lunch!
The Venture Builder Incubator is a curated hybrid programme of interactive, online workshops and events designed to provide postgraduate students and research staff with the skills, knowledge and networks to validate the commercial potential of digital and science-based ideas and innovations.
We are looking to work with motivated individuals and teams eager to test their ideas that address real world challenges by using digital technology.
The programme offers the opportunity to be at the heart of a vibrant community and to develop life-long professional and entrepreneurial skills.
Funding: access to a share of £100k+
Transform Ideas into Reality: the Venture Builder Incubator specialises in helping researchers bridge the gap between academia and entrepreneurship, guiding participants to develop a robust commercialisation and funding strategy.
Expert Guidance: Benefit from the mentorship and introductions to potential customers and investors in our network
Specialist Streams: Programme includes sessions for innovations driven by hardware (e.g.robotics and autonomous systems). We also provide tailored support for oncology and other health projects. (Thanks to funding researchers working in these areas from across the UK are welcome to apply.)
Access to Networks: Connect with a dynamic community of like-minded individuals. Forge valuable relationships, expand your professional network, and unlock endless collaboration opportunities
Entrepreneurial Education: Develop essential entrepreneurial skills through our tailored workshops and seminars. Acquire the knowledge necessary to navigate the competitive start-up landscape with confidence.
Who should apply?
We encourage applications from postgraduate students (Masters, PhDs) and researchers from all disciplines across the University of Edinburgh. Recent alumni with innovative ideas, are also welcome to apply. Applicants may be solo founders or Teams.
While the programme is open to all sectors, we provide special support for projects using hardware, e.g. robotics and autonomous systems, as well as tech-driven health and social care startups.
Thanks to our continuing partnership with Cancer Research Horizons and support via Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme, funded by UK Government, applications are welcome from teams outside of the University of Edinburgh who are interested in commercialising projects focused on oncology and other NCDs (non-communicable diseases).
When will the next programme start?
VBI 5.0 will run from the end of October until the middle of March 2025 with a break over the Christmas holiday period.
When is the deadline for applications?
Applications received by Monday 10 June will receive feedback and the chance to resubmit. Perfect if you're just starting out on this journey! The final deadline is Monday 15 July. Applications received after 10 June will not eligible for feedback. Interviews will take place in August.
Please get in touch
if you have any questions about applying to the programme.
Cancer Research Horizons is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK, the world’s largest independent cancer research organisation. It was launched to take cutting edge innovations from the lab bench to the bedside and translate them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.
This programme is supported by Barclays Eagle Labs Ecosystem Partnership Programme, funded by UK Government.
