Seaweed fuelling the future, rapid AI supermarket check-out and an app to help anxiety disorders were among the innovative pitches at this year’s Startup Summer Accelerator Showcase.
After three months of intensive company development training, 11 student entrepreneurs pitched to a judging panel that included Lizzie Withington, Director of Venture Creation at Edinburgh Innovations, Mary Jane-Brouwers, Director of Mint Ventures and Dan McKiddie, Investment Manager at Archangel Investors. The founders were also competing for a share of £7,500.
In joint first place, taking home £3000, were PhD students Jingwen Lei, of the School of Engineering, and Ella Sapsford, of Physics and Astronomy, with their startup Thermaquatic, using seaweed as sustainable packaging for chilled and frozen goods.
Also in first place was Maths undergrad Adi Kumar, founder of Descrai, which is building rapid retail checkout automation, reducing checkout time and errors. Adi said:
The Startup Summer Accelerator was a great experience with a relaxed yet productive environment, where I met so many exceptional people. This funding will help us accelerate our plans with Descrai. I highly recommend the Accelerator to other students from the University of Edinburgh. ”
In second place was Meiram Zhandildin, postgrad at the Moray House of Education and Sport, who won £1,000 for startup EssAI, an AI powered platform that helps people improve their creative and academic writing for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) writing exam. Meiram’s positive attitude, opportunity sharing and friendly face earned him the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award and an additional £500, voted by his fellow cohort.
Sponsored by Santander Universities and the Edinburgh Futures Institute, this year’s cohort were selected for their focus heath and care, climate and environment and data, digital and AI.
Sarah Gibbens, Student Enterprise Officer and Startup Summer Accelerator Programme Lead, said:
It has been incredible to see the development of our 2025 startup founders. Over the past three months they have worked tirelessly on their business ideas while also taking part in an intense programme of support. They’ve shown just how much talent and innovation exists among students at the University of Edinburgh. It has been a privilege to support them, and I can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve next. ”
Judge Lizzie Withington, Director of Venture Creation at Edinburgh Innovations, said:
As we conclude the seventh year of the Startup Summer Accelerator, it’s inspiring to see the progress and ambition of this year’s cohort. Over the summer, our students, graduates and staff have worked hard to refine their ideas, and today’s showcase highlighted the potential of 11 exciting early-stage startups. Each pitch reflected the creativity, determination and entrepreneurial spirit we aim to foster, and it’s a privilege to support founders as they take their next steps in building ventures of real scale and impact."
The Startup Summer Accelerator is a three-month programme designed to help entrepreneurs from the University of Edinburgh turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Called 'the best programme in Edinburgh to accelerate your business from idea to reality' by past participants, it offers funding, mentorship and essential skills to drive startup success.
