Scotland’s innovation community has a vibrant new home, following the landmark launch of Venture Café Edinburgh on 20 November at Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Powered by Venture Café Global Institute, the world’s leading innovation ecosystem activator, and delivered in partnership with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), the launch saw over 260 people attending the event, highlighting the strong demand for a new collaborative heart in Scotland’s innovation ecosystem.
Throughout the evening, attendees discovered and experienced Venture Café Edinburgh’s role as a catalyst for local innovation and global connection.
The programme featured an expert panel on the impact of advanced computing and AI with experts from EPCC, the UK’s leading centre for supercomputing, and ARIA.
Other highlights included a hands-on Innovation Showcase with pioneering startups from the National Robotarium as well as immersive creative programming at the intersection of art and technology.
Together, Venture Café, ARIA and Edinburgh Futures Institute have created a new focal point and community for Scotland’s innovators.
Professor Marion Thain, Edinburgh Futures Institute Director:
“It was fantastic to feel the energy and enthusiasm of Scotland’s innovators during Venture Café Edinburgh’s inaugural event. As the University of Edinburgh’s flagship hub dedicated to tackling global challenges through academic-industry and interdisciplinary collaboration, Edinburgh Future Institute is perfectly situated to provide a new home and community for Scotland’s innovators. We look forward to hosting Venture Café Edinburgh’s events, which we are sure will inspire the collaboration and connection needed to drive future-shaping breakthroughs.”
Claudia Cavalluzzo, Venture Café Edinburgh Director:
“Last night proved what we already know: isolation is the enemy of innovation, and collaboration is its greatest ally. Venture Café Edinburgh exists to break down barriers, connect people, and spark the conversations that turn ideas into impact. The energy in the room showed the huge appetite for a bold, connected and collaborative innovation community in Scotland.”
Pippy James, ARIA Chief Product Officer:
“Breakthroughs happen when different people, ideas and disciplines collide. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Venture Café to launch their presence in Edinburgh — creating an open, energising space for Scotland’s world-class innovators. This is about providing the environment where founders, researchers and investors can meet, collaborate and spark the next wave of world-changing technologies.”
Images: Anna Moffat Photography
