Engage Invest Exploit has announced that entries for tech companies wishing to take part in EIE 2018 are closing soon.

Creators, Informatics Ventures is hoping to build on the success of previous years, adding to the £400 million worth of seed funding raised for 800 enterprises since the first event in 2008.

2018 will be the first year in which EIE will accept applications from companies outside of Scotland to participate.

Firms have until November 30 to submit applications to appear at the event, which is scheduled to be held on April 19 2018 in the University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall. The event has space for 60 firms from the following sectors:

• Satellites & Space Tech
• AI & Data Science
• Internet of Things
• Energy, Climate & Cleantech
• Digital Health & Medtech
• Fintech & Cybersecurity
• Creative Design & Mediatech
• Robotics & Autonomy
• Smart Cities & Mobility

Successful companies will be put through a four-month training programme to ensure that they are ready to pitch for investment. The scheme will kick-off in January and will include multiple coaching sessions on pitching, Q&As, and speaking to panels.

Leah Hutcheon, CEO and Founder of Appointedd, said: “EIE is without a doubt the most impactful event on the Scottish start-up calendar. It connects start-ups with investors from Scotland, London and further afield, and has been instrumental in each of our investment rounds. The training Informatics Ventures offers is second-to-none and I feel very lucky to have been able to take part in the events.”

Steve Ewing, Director of Operations at Informatics Ventures, said: “With a more refined sector focus and now open to companies from beyond Scotland, EIE 2018 will be our biggest and brightest EIE to date and it’s an amazing opportunity for investors and startups to meet each other and hear from leading lights from Scotland and beyond.”

Firms which have previously participated in EIE are also welcome to enter again if they can demonstrate business growth since the last application. EIE notes that competition is very high and encourages applicants to sell themselves when applying.

Applications to pitch at EIE 2018 close Thursday November 30. The event will be held in the University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall on April 19 2018, is expected to attract 900 delegates.