AI Accelerator

The Data Driven Entrepreneurship (DDE) programme at the University of Edinburgh is a digital transformation initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among staff and students. Jointly organized by Edinburgh Innovations and funded by the Scottish Funding Council through the Data Driven Innovation initiative, the programme provides targeted support for digital data-focused entrepreneurs and businesses. DDE offers a suite of 12 digitally enabled activities designed to help participants develop business ideas, enhance skills, and secure funding. Since its launch in January 2021, the programme has engaged over 500 individuals, including 100 startups, by offering support, advice, and funding at crucial stages of their development. The programme collaborates with various stakeholders, including startups, corporates, investors, mentors, and funders, to promote entrepreneurial activity. The Bayes Centre, a hub for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, plays a key role in delivering the DDE programme. The initiative aims to make entrepreneurship a rewarding and integral part of university life, encouraging students and staff to leverage available resources to connect their ideas to the world.

Keywords: entrepreneurship, digital transformation, data-focused, skills development, funding, startups, collaboration, university, innovation, support