Startups focused on carbon capture, breastmilk donation and machine learning took centre stage at this year’s Startup Summer Accelerator Showcase, where 13 student-founded companies pitched their transformative ideas to a panel of industry experts.
After three months of intensive training, the startup founders pitched to a judging panel that included Michiel Smith from Apollo Informal Investments, Laura Garcia-Caberol of Touchlab, and Ross Colquhoun from Scottish Enterprise.
Eloise Bevan, founder of the carbon capture company DuaBon, and Tracy Ahumuza, founder of ATTA Breastmilk Community, took home the top honours—each securing a £2,000 grand prize.
DuaBon, led by Chemical Engineering PhD student Eloise, is pushing the boundaries of environmental technology with its innovative biochar technology, offering an affordable solution to carbon capture. Eloise’s vision earned her the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, which provides an additional £500 for embodying entrepreneurial spirit throughout the accelerator.
Eloise said:
I am so grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Accelerator. The passion for student enterprise at Edinburgh Innovations shines through, and the support provided is unmatched. The access to patent attorneys, accountants, designers, investors, and mentors has been invaluable, and I recommend any fellow PhD innovators reading this to visit the Enterprise Hub!
"Beyond direct help, the friendships formed within the cohort taught me the value of community, especially in the world of entrepreneurship that can be isolating at times. Words can’t describe how grateful I am for this experience and the recognition we have received. ”
Joint winner of the overall prize was Entrepreneurship and Innovation MSc student, Tracy Ahumuza, of the Edinburgh Business School. Tracy’s company, ATTA Breastmilk Community, is changing lives by providing vital training, resources, and support to mothers and infants in need across Uganda. ATTA has already supported over 500 vulnerable babies across Uganda with more than 800 litres of breast milk.
The runner-up prize of £1,000 was awarded to Oleguer Simon Camps for his start-up, Brokyl, which specialises in simplifying the deployment of machine learning models for businesses. Oleg, who completed his MSc in Operations Research and Data Science in the School of Mathematics in 2023, is actively working on his product that makes deploying ML models possible with just three clicks.
This year’s cohort was selected for their alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, as Edinburgh Innovations partnered with the Edinburgh Earth Initiative to deliver a programme dedicated to fostering sustainability and impact.
Teodora Handrea, Student Enterprise Manager at Edinburgh Innovations, said:
As we celebrate our sixth year of the Startup Summer Accelerator, we’re thrilled to focus on sustainability and climate solutions. This year, we’ve carefully selected a cohort of exceptional start-ups that are poised to make a significant impact in these areas.
Our goal is to provide these start-ups with the resources, mentorship, and support they need to develop successful businesses, whether that is by bootstrapping, finding beachhead markets, or investment. We’re committed to helping them achieve their full potential and contribute to a more sustainable future. ”
Judge Ross Colquhoun of Scottish Enterprise added:
I am hugely impressed by what has been achieved from the accelerator, which culminated in an array of high-quality innovative concepts pitched at the showcase. Participants such as DuaBon, ATTA Breastmilk, and Brokyl Forecasting have the potential to make exciting technological, societal, economic, and environmental impacts, and I wish all the cohort members luck in their future endeavours. ”
The 2024 Startup Summer Accelerator was sponsored by the Edinburgh Earth Initiative, Mastercard Foundation and Santander Universities.
