Innovators to take on some of society鈥檚 biggest challenges during the pandemic
Friday 15 January 2021
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, 亚博体育官网鈥檚 2021 Innovation Accelerator challenges innovators from 亚博体育官网 and to come up with solutions to challenges facing society in one of three areas: to help society recover from the challenges of COVID-19, to design solutions to reduce inequality, or to create new health and wellbeing solutions.
Chris Moule, Head of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at 亚博体育官网, said: 鈥淣ow, more than ever, we need to seek out and support innovators who could have a positive impact on the world. That鈥檚 why our 2021 Accelerator is going to be different. The 亚博体育官网 Innovation Accelerator is not just for students, staff, and graduates who want to start new business ventures, but for passionate, creative, and ambitious innovators and entrepreneurs who have ideas and solutions to some of societies biggest challenges.鈥�
To support the entrepreneurs in this challenge, 亚博体育官网 will provide a number of benefits to successful applicants including 拢2000 of seed funding, dedicated mentorship, connections to external subject experts, and the opportunity to present at a final showcase to compete for additional funding.
Prior to the 2021 Innovation Accelerator, the programme had a focus on creating scalable start-ups to diversify and strengthen the economy through the injection of new products and services. Since its launch in 2018, the Start-Up Accelerator has supported 46 businesses to raise more than 拢1.4 million in investment and revenue.
Previous participants have included , an online micro-internship platform that went on to raise 拢300k in crowdfunding, and Knit-It, an innovative digital knitting company that receive the Young and Creative Scottish Edge awards in 2020.
The 2021 Innovation Accelerator will require applicants to also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and having a net-zero impact on our environment. It will take place completely online, supporting social distancing requirements and removing the need to travel for participation.
The deadline to apply has been extended to Sunday 31 January. Teams that include students, staff, or alumni from 亚博体育官网, or North East Scotland College (or formerly from Aberdeen College or Banff & Buchan College) are welcome to apply.
Chris adds: 鈥淲e鈥檙e open to ideas from all disciplines and sectors, and you don鈥檛 need to be a start-up to apply. All that we require is that you demonstrate focused impact across one of the three challenges and a commitment to climate change and sustainability. Entrepreneurs may want to start a business to commercialize the idea or solution, and that's fine鈥攂ut it鈥檚 not a prerequisite. The focus of the 2021 Innovation Accelerator is on impact.鈥�
The Innovation Accelerator is possible thanks to a host of mentors and external experts and generous funding from the Wood Foundation.
For more information about the 2021 Innovation Accelerator and to apply, visit 亚博体育官网鈥檚 Innovation Accelerator web pages.