The AI Superconnector will support entrepreneurial early-stage researchers at Imperial, York, Leeds and Liverpool Universities.
AI SuperConnector, a new accelerator initiative led by Imperial, is now accepting applications. The goal is to help young researchers launch promising startups using artificial intelligence (AI) to solve real-world problems.
“Bringing together leading experts from industry and academia, the AI SuperConnector curriculum combines the fundamentals of entrepreneurship with AI capabilities to provide the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to develop robust, ethical, and impactful AI ventures. It provides connectivity to participants,” said Hiten Thakrar. Lead the initiative.
The AI SuperConnector is aimed at young researchers from the four partner institutions taking part in the initiative: Imperial College London, York University, Leeds University and Liverpool University. Applications to join the first cohort will be invited by June 9th.
“AI SuperConnector will transform today's researchers at the forefront of AI discovery into tomorrow's startup and scale-up leaders,” said Dr. Simon Hepworth, Director of Imperial Enterprise. “Although these researchers are already experts in cutting-edge AI and its application to societal challenges, the AI SuperConnector will allow them to become commercialization-savvy and familiar with an ecosystem that spans multiple business sectors. I guess.”
Accelerating research into market opportunities
Successful applicants will undergo a six-month acceleration program in which they will be required to address both the technology they develop and the market for their innovation. It combines the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, such as business planning, financing, marketing, and management, with fundamental knowledge of AI and its applications.
If you're a researcher, postdoc, or late-stage PhD candidate working with AI technologies at proof-of-concept stage or beyond, we're looking for you. Hiten Thakral AI super connector
Along the way, AI SuperConnector connects participants with experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and AI experts. In particular, you will have the opportunity to learn from AI startups from all partner universities and demonstrate how AI can be successfully applied in business settings.
Each team will also receive £20,000 in non-dilutive funding, which can be used for anything from prototyping to initial market validation.
“If you're a research scientist, postdoc, or late-stage PhD candidate working with AI technology at proof-of-concept stage or beyond, we're looking for you,” Thakler says.
Approximately 10 successful applicants will be accepted as the first batch of students and will begin work in mid-July.
Proven acceleration model
AI SuperConnector builds on Imperial’s experience running MedTech SuperConnector (MTSC), a collaborative medical technology accelerator established in 2018. Across his seven cohorts, MTSC expanded the horizons of more than 95 early career researchers and created 14 startups. In his first five years, these new companies raised more than £19 million in venture capital and grants and created more than 30 jobs.
“By combining Imperial’s track record of bringing ideas to market with our customized AI venture-building capabilities, the AI Superconnector will replicate the success of MTSC and provide founders with a robust and robust platform to drive economic and social progress. We aim to enable the development of ethical AI innovations,” Thakler said. He also leads MTSC.
The key difference is that AI SuperConnector supports startups in all sectors, not just healthcare and medical technology. Universities participating in the AI Superconnector will lead in areas that reflect their existing strengths, including defense and security, health, sustainability and climate change, and robotics and autonomous systems.
The AI Superconnector is funded by the Research England Connectivity Fund, with a budget of £1.5 million for two cohorts. The second cohort is expected to open applications in late 2024.
For more information about the program, please visit the AI SuperConnector website. There is also an application form. The application deadline for the first cohort is June 9th.
Main image: Isarawat Tatton/Getty Images
