Scotland’s tech showcase partners with European Tech Tour

Organised by the University of Edinburgh, EIE curates a selection of the most exciting companies founded upon research from Scotland’s world-class universities, and invites investors to an exclusive networking event the night before.

This year will also focus on demonstrating emerging tech innovations, in future-orientated strength areas like quantum, semi-conductors, space and artificial intelligence.

The Tech Tour event, to run concurrently, is the culmination of the Tech Tour Growth Deeptech 2025 Investment Programme, designed to showcase and connect high-potential later-stage tech companies with leading investors, industry experts, and strategic partners.

The event will spotlight more than 30 exceptional companies from across Europe and Scotland, selected from a competitive pool of applicants by a panel of active investors through a collaborative scouting and review process. These companies are at the forefront of deeptech innovation, developing groundbreaking solutions with the potential to transform industries and address global challenges.

Since 2008, EIE has supported over 550 enterprises, many at seed stage, which have gone on to secure more than £1.2 billion in finance. Past cohorts include spatial data company Earth Blox; ultrasound technology company Novosound and food technology company Roslin Technologies, which have raised £26.2 million between them since 2019.

This year Laura Goodwin, BBC Scotland’s Innovation Correspondent, will again present the EIE showcase.

University of Edinburgh fintech startup Aveni.AI was part of the EIE cohort 2019, and has since gone to raise £18 million in investment for its large language models (LLMs) and AI products for the financial services industry.

Aveni co-founder Dr Lexi Birch, of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics, said: “Our recent Series A investment was one of the largest achieved in Scotland in 2024. A core part of that investment was to focus on the development of specific AI models, achievable because of the access we have to the world-leading knowledge and skills found in Scotland.

“This demonstration of partnership between academia and business continues to drive our company and attract national early-stage investment, allowing companies like ours to grow, employ more people and develop industry-leading innovations.”

Investor Amelia Armour, partner at Amadeus Capital, travels up to EIE every year. She said: “EIE is a fantastic opportunity to meet other investors and explore Scotland’s vibrant tech scene. It’s a chance to meet with high quality startups and see their products, as well as to engage with senior members of the ecosystem - from government to universities and regional accelerators. And it doesn’t hurt that Edinburgh is so beautiful!”

David Farquhar, President of Tech Tour Growth Deeptech, said: "As we look ahead to the Tech Tour Growth Deeptech 2025 Investment Programme culminating in the joint Tech Tour and EIE25 in Edinburgh, Scotland, we will be looking to bring 30 of Europe and Scotland’s next digital tech pioneers whose innovations can redefine industries.

“The companies will be selected by venture capital, corporate and sovereign investors most active in Europe. The event will see up to 80 investors visiting Scotland, many for the first time, and will be open to all research-led institutions in Scotland to showcase their capabilities. We are delighted the Programme is to be co-hosted by the University of Edinburgh."

EIE25 lead executive Duncan Martin, Director of Entrepreneurship at the University of Edinburgh’s Bayes Centre, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the Tech Tour this year. Scottish university tech research is at a pivotal moment, demonstrating unprecedented innovation and potential in areas such as quantum, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy.

“Our institutions are not only advancing cutting-edge technologies but also creating a fertile ground for investment. The synergy between academia and industry in Scotland is stronger than ever, making it an ideal time for investors to engage. We are confident that the emerging breakthroughs will drive significant economic growth and societal benefits for the UK and beyond.”