Help for software start-ups to take on the world

The programme helps to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within start-up and spin-out companies, and develops strong relationships between industry and academia. These partnerships with Scottish businesses and world class institutions provide budding entrepreneurs with the resources to take on the world.

Informatics Ventures has two main activities:

1. Entrepreneurship: Running education events, networking sessions and investor conferences
2. Collaborative Innovation: Strengthening industry and academia relations and delivering collaborative innovation activities in cyber security, data science, mobile technology and smart tourism

A suite of events and support is offered through the following:

• iV Tuesday Speaker: This series features a new programme of talks by prominent members of the business community to inspire and motivate those who wish to develop their careers in different directions or have entrepreneurial ambitions
• CEO Masterclasses: Led by prominent technology speakers and are aimed at early stage start-ups, many of the guests are involved in the Silicon Valley Speaker Series and are passionate about their vision for the future.
• Engage, Invest & Exploit: Informatics Ventures’ annual showcase of promising new projects to Scottish and global investors. The draw for investors and serial technology entrepreneurs is simple - a rare opportunity to see hot start ups and spin outs in one day and in one place.
• Entrepreneurs in Residence: Links successful business people with the most promising emergent entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs in Residence are asked to give one day per month and be available for ‘surgeries’ and monthly meetings.
• Ignite: An intensive, one week training programme for aspiring entrepreneurs and corporate innovators to trial and prepare business ideas for the commercial environment. Ignite is run by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning which is part of the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
• The MIT Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP): An intensive, one-week programme teaching entrepreneurs from around the world how to identify and evaluate opportunities for new technology ventures, held at the world-renowned MIT Entrepreneurship Centre.