Venture Builder Incubator 7.0 Application Form
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Bridging the gap between research and entrepreneurship, Venture Builder Incubator provides the tools, skills, and support to transform your deep tech or data-driven idea into a thriving startup.
This five-month programme is designed specifically for postgraduate students and academic staff who want to explore the business potential of their research. Through a mix of interactive online workshops and in-person events, you'll learn to navigate the startup world with confidence.
VBI accepts applications from postgraduate students, recent alumni and academic staff from all Scotland's universities.
Thanks to an ongoing partnership with Cancer Research Horizons we welcome applications from researchers from across the UK working on oncology-related solutions.
Key Dates:
- Interviews: August
- Programme runs from Monday 26 October 2026 to Thursday 18 March 2027
- Mandatory in-person events on 11-13 November 2026; 9-11 December 2026 and 17-18 March 2027.
What to expect:
Regular online sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4.00-5.30 - at the latest. Office Hours and Introductions.
There's more information on our website.
Exclusive Benefits:
- Equity-free participation.
- A stipend to cover travel costs and expenses associated with building your company.
- Eligible for a portion of £90K in funding for larger projects.
- Access to the Bayes Centre, a leading innovation hub for AI and Data Science.
- Sector agnostic but specific support for oncology-related and other health innovations; as well as solutions delivered by robotics and autonomous systems.
- Expert guidance and mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, and connections with industry.
- Designed to accommodate existing study and work commitments.
Eligibility
We welcome applications from postgraduate students and academic staff at any Scottish university who are passionate about creating innovative deep tech or data-driven solutions to address real-world challenges. We welcome solo founders as well as teams. Recent alumni (within 3 years of graduation) are also welcome to apply. There is no requirement to have a registered business.
Researchers from across the UK working on data-driven, oncology-related solutions are also eligible.
About Venture Builder Incubator
Venture Builder Incubator is delivered for Scottish universities in partnership with Techscaler and the University of Edinburgh. We also have an ongoing relationship with Cancer Research Horizons to support researchers from across the UK.
The Application Form
The application form asks for basic information about you (and your team if applicable) and your venture. We're interested in why you are the best person or team to solve this particular problem and why you are better than existing solutions, ie, your competition. We're also interested in the market opportunity for your solution.
If you're registering as an external user for the first time, a code will be sent to your email to complete the process. Please remember which email you have used!
Although you can download the form as a Word document and work on it offline, we strongly advise you to start the application and save your progress online. It will be much easier to edit and improve your answers this way, and to keep to the character limits. To complete your form, copy and save/bookmark the original link here:https://irm.is.ed.ac.uk/Web2Lead/vbi7Application
Any questions? Contact Mary Hardie
If you've used our services before, make sure you use the same email address so we can find your details. We'll email you a confirmation code to make sure it's really you.
By submitting this application, I acknowledge that Venture Builder Incubator will use the data I have provided for the purposes of processing my application and conducting related data analysis and statistical research.
I understand that this data will be shared with trusted partners, Cancer Research Horizons and Techscaler (including universities in Scotland), specifically for recruitment purposes for VBI 6.0.
I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the information I have provided is complete and accurate. I undertake to provide any further information and original documentation required by the University. I am aware that if I provide false, misleading, or significantly incomplete information, the University reserves the right to amend or withdraw any offer made based on this application.
I acknowledge that I have the right to withdraw my consent at any time. For guidance on how to withdraw consent and for more detailed information on how my data will be handled, please refer to the Edinburgh Innovations privacy notice. Edinburgh Innovations | Privacy notice