Uni agrees global deal to accelerate start-ups

Edinburgh University's commercialisation arm has struck a global partnership that aims to 'supercharge' entrepreneurship and take students from business idea to start-up within 72 hours.

Edinburgh University is aiming to 'supercharge' start-ups. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Under the tie-up between Edinburgh Research & Innovation (ERI) and the University of Austin, Texas-based entrepreneurship development programme, 3 Day Startup (3DS), will host a number of programmes at universities across the UK and internationally.

Six members of ERI staff have been appointed as 3DS “facilitators” to deliver a minimum of six programmes for Scottish university students before the end of 2019.

Moreover, ERI – which has operated since 1967 – has been appointed by 3DS to help universities in the UK and around the world deliver their own 3DS programmes.

Grant Wheeler, ERI’s head of company formation, said: “This actively supercharges entrepreneurship in Scotland like never before.”