Startup Summer Accelerator | For students

Take your business idea to the next level with expert support and up to £3,000 in funding. Running 30th May - 31st August

Every startup founder needs a starting point and this is it

For current students and recent graduates from the University of Edinburgh the Startup Summer Accelerator is an in-person, intensive three-month programme for founders who are ready to start building. You’ll get real insights from founders, a cohort of fellow participants to push you forward, and the structure to make serious progress.

Past participants have called it "the best programme in Edinburgh to accelerate your business from idea to reality." If you want structure, challenge and the right connections to move faster than you would alone, this is the programme for you.

What you'll get:

The programme covers the key topics you'll need to think about as you build your business - from marketing and finance to investment and more.

Up to £3,000 to put towards your business
A chance to pitch for further funding at the in-person showcase
Insights and guidance from entrepreneurs and investors
A two-hour in-person workshop every Thursday afternoon, with occasional two-hour Friday sessions

Who it's for?

This programme is for founders with a business concept who are ready to do something serious about it. We are looking for founders who have started on their journey through conducting market research (e.g. conducting customer interviews/running focus groups/engaging with industry contacts, etc) and/or developing an MVP. It is not for raw ideas.

This programme is focused on establishing a business and raising investment in the UK. Therefore, we are primarily looking for founders who are looking to start a business in the UK or establish a UK trading presence.

We're particularly keen to hear from startups working in the University's core research and innovation missions: health & care, data, digital & AI and climate & environment.

Eligibility

You must meet both of the following:

University affiliation: at least one co-founder must be a current University of Edinburgh student or have graduated within the the last two years. This person must attend all core sessions.
Visa eligibility: applicants who are on student visas must be in their final year of studies with plans to switch to a visa that permits business activity after graduation. Please see our information page on visa for general guidance.

Our privacy statement can be found here and funding conditions and eligible expenditure details can be found in the below document:

Startup Summer Accelerator funding conditions and eligible costs (176.43 KB / PDF)

Applications will open in Semester 2 and the programme will run Spring-Summer 2027.

Hear from past participants

The Startup Summer Accelerator is an amazing programme! Through participating, we learned useful skills, upgraded our pitch deck to professional quality and built connections with both professional advisers and other founders. I would highly recommend it for startups of all stages!
2025 participant

The Accelerator is ultimately what you put into it. You're grouped with driven founders and connected to experienced professionals who pressure-test your thinking. For me, it clarified key parts of my business: where it can scale, where it doesn't need venture capital and what to prioritise next. Learning those limits early was as valuable as the funding we received!
2025 participant

SHOWCASE

At the end of the Startup Summer Accelerator the cohort pitch to an audience of investors and those within the entrepreneurial community. Join us for the Showcase and hear from the founders who have completed the programme what they've built over the past 12-weeks. Taking place Thursday 27th August, 1pm-5pm.

This article was published on Monday 1 July 2024