We Have Lift Off with the RGU Startup Accelerator 2025
With support from the UK Government, Robert Gordon University's latest Startup Accelerator has lifted off with another successful launch of our annual entrepreneurial programme.
Now running in its seventh year, RGU’s flagship start-up programme has helped create over 130 new ventures in addition to many jobs and positive economic impact. This year, applications were open to anyone, anywhere, who is aiming to launch a business based in Aberdeen City.
Our community focused campaign included university guest lectures to over 600 students, and external presentations at the Net Zero Technology Centre, University of Aberdeen, and Opportunity Northeast Tech Hub, reaching the Aberdeen and North East entrepreneurial community and beyond.
The RGU Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group (EIG) was over the moon to receive more than 150 submissions for Accelerator 2025. High quality applications made the judges' selection process quite challenging. As usual, the competition was open to all industries and innovative early-stage start-up ideas.
For the 18 selected start-ups, in addition to pragmatic and seasoned entrepreneurship education, programme highlights include £1,000 equity-free seed funding, mentorship, plugging into academic and entrepreneurial ecosystem support, and, of course, opportunities to exhibit and live pitch for cash prizes at the hotly anticipated Startup Showcase event.
Due to popular demand, this event will once again be held at our mothership RGU campus in Garthdee, Aberdeen, taking place on Wednesday 26 March 2025. Promising out-of-this-world surprises for guests traveling from Sri Lanka and beyond, this year we are delighted to announce special award categories, including the Felix Chung Sustainability Prize and the SRM Foundation Prize for Innovation – both of which will be worth £5,000 each - plus the Mentor/Judges Prize.
This year’s entrepreneurial ideas range from helping to bring an end to cancelled flight travel woes to growing your own eco-sponges. Stay tuned to find out more about each start-up in the coming weeks.
The RGU Startup Accelerator Programme 2025 is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via Aberdeen City Council. This funding enables us to follow guidance from the Entrepreneurial Campus 2023 report, fortifying collaborative links between academia, commercialisation, and industry. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group is a part of Business and Economic Development at RGU.
