Promising startups developing AI for health, sustainable fashion and cybersecurity, are among 12 companies selected for this year’s University of Edinburgh’s AI Accelerator.

This year’s cohort includes Transdermal Diagnostics, an enterprise developing breakthrough needle-free wearables to transform chronic disease management and CircKit, an AI-powered toolkit that helps fashion brands design more sustainable products and automate compliance with net-zero regulations.

The programme will also welcome LastingAsset, a Trust-Tech cybersecurity spinout from Edinburgh Napier University. LastingAsset is pioneering an innovative solution to combat impersonation fraud using cryptography and privacy-preserving machine learning.

The six-month initiative, designed to help AI-driven companies grow into world-leading businesses, provides expert-led workshops and supports startups to shape investment strategies and connect with potential investors.

Katy Guthrie, Programme Manager of the AI Accelerator commented, “We’re delighted to welcome our ninth cohort, many of whom are developing AI driven solutions for pressing global challenges.

“AI is such a hot topic for every business right now and this has been by far our toughest year in terms of selecting our 12 candidates. We’re looking forward to helping transform these innovative startups into world-leading companies through our guidance and support network.”

The university expanded its selection process this year to attract a broader range of tech-focused scaleups that are poised to make a significant real-world impact. The full list of companies selected to participate in the six-month programme, can be found here.

Dr Kate Smith, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at ProfessorMe, an EdTech training company that took part in the last programme said, “The AI Accelerator turbo boosted ProfessorMe in terms of our business know-how, our network, scaling up and firmly planted us in the heart of the AI sector.

“It also gave ProfessorMe a home and a community, which, as hardworking female founders, gives us the resources to continue our social impact business.”

Full Cohort List

BEAT
Developed ZEEFLEET, an AI and optimisation product that helps fleets with demanding requirements plan and manage operations more efficiently, while supporting the transition to zero-emission solutions.

CanSense
Uses spectroscopy and AI technologies on a standard blood test to enable the early detection of bowel cancer, aiming to improve outcomes by identifying the disease while it is still treatable and curable.

Circkit
Provides CircKit, an AI-powered circular toolkit for fashion brands to design sustainable products, harmonise data, and automate compliance, unlocking growth from circular design while meeting global regulations.

Danu Insights
Builds AI-powered tools that accelerate innovation by helping scientists design and run faster, smarter, and more impactful experiments.

ivvi
An AI-powered visual note-taking software that creates real-time mindmaps from lectures and meetings, designed to support people with dyslexia and improve outcomes for students and professionals.

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LastingAsset
A Trust-Tech cybersecurity spinout from Edinburgh Napier University, pioneering a cryptography and privacy-preserving machine learning solution to combat the growing threat of impersonation fraud.

Level E  An Edinburgh-based FinTech transforming asset management with next-generation agentic AI, delivering autonomous AI agents via a SaaS platform to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and drive productivity.

Mantis Geophysics
Offers an AI cloud-based geophysical modelling platform that combines rock physics with wave-simulation to provide subsurface insights for CO₂, hydrogen, and energy storage, supporting the low-carbon transition.

&Volume
Builds AI agents that autonomously manage digital asset portfolios, protecting capital during crashes while capturing growth opportunities, with users retaining full control of their assets.

Protostars
Provides a full-stack AI platform that automates cybersecurity audit reporting and certification, enabling real-time insight and accountability to achieve Software CE Marking for digital product security.

Qinara
Develops hybrid quantum-AI products that optimise quantum hardware, enhance security, and accelerate healthcare diagnostics, designed for enterprise scale and adoption.

Transdermal Diagnostics
Creating breakthrough needle-free wearables for chronic disease management, starting with diabetes. Its patented extraction principle eliminates pain, reduces costs, and lessens environmental impact to drive equitable health monitoring.