Showcase Event

Startup Showcases

Rewatch RGU Start Up Accelerator Showcases as projects and businesses go head-to-head to win cash prizes voted for by a panel of judges and a live audience.

Showcase 2023

Watch as Robert Gordon University alum and students showcase their early-stage businesses going head-to-head to win cash prizes in the final of RGU’s Startup Accelerator programme 2023. Watch the startups pitch to win thousands of pounds in cash prizes!

Join the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group (EIG) on Thursday 11 May 2023 to watch Cohort 2023 of the RGU Startup Accelerator pitch their business ideas. Over the past five months, these innovative teams have been developing their ideas, speaking to customers and collaborating to get ready to launch impactful ventures which can scale and create impact in Scotland and beyond.

Watch the live event

Find out more

Find out more about the 2023 Startup Accelerator Cohort:


Showcase 2022

This event was the final of the RGU Regional Startup Accelerator Cohort 4 which is delivered by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group and funded by the Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council through the North East Economic Recovery and Skills Fund (NEERSF).

Over 190 teams applied to the programme with innovative concepts with a cohort of 36 accepted to undergo a five-month period of training, mentorship and support including access to £5,000 funding each. 

The 2022 year’s programme was open to teams across the region for the first time, with thirty six businesses being accepted to the programme. Find out more about each team through our welcome guide.

Meet the Teams

Download an accessible PDF:

Judges Choice Awards

Awarded to the teams which the judges felt best demonstrated their concepts, innovation, impact, desirability, feasibility and viability. The winners were:

  • Innovation Impact Award – Kitchen Integrated Fire Suppression Systems
  • Climate Impact Award – The Habitat People  
  • Regional Impact Award – Two Racoons
  • Audience Choice Award – Two Racoons
  • Showcase Video Awards – Flair Collective, Everybody Mannequins, CD Corp
  • Showcase Experience Awards – Plantala, 49 Swim
  • Recognition Award – Kitchen Integrated Fire Suppression Systems

Showcase 2021

This event was the final of the RGU Innovation Accelerator Cohort 3 which is delivered by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group and funded by The Wood Foundation. Over 130 teams applied to the programme with innovative concepts to solve one of three global challenges aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals – reducing inequalities, responding to Covid-19 or designing health and mental wellbeing innovations. Twelve ideas were accepted to undergo a five-month period of training, mentorship and support including access to £2,000 funding each. 

Judges Choice Awards

Awarded to the teams which the judges felt best demonstrated their concepts, innovation, impact, desirability, feasibility and viability. The winners were:

  • Biggest Regional Impact - Aberdeen Ceramics Studio – £5,000
  • Biggest Global Impact - Talipes Treatment Initiative – £5,000
  • Biggest Industry Impact - The Grey Hill – £5,000

Audience Choice Awards

Awarded to the teams who received the highest number of votes from the viewers based on their pitches ability to educate, entertain and inspire. The winners were:

  • 1st Place - Aberdeen Ceramics Studio –£2,000
  • 2nd Place - Talipes Treatment Initiative – £1,000
  • 3rd Place - House of Small Shops – £500

Showcase 2020

This event was the final of the RGU Innovation Accelerator Cohort 2 which is delivered by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group and funded by The Wood Foundation. Over 130 teams applied to the programme and Twelve ideas were accepted to undergo a five-month period of training, mentorship and support including access to £10,000 funding each. This was the first virtual showcase event featuring included pitches, highlights videos, voting, guest speeches and more.

Judges Choice Awards

Awarded to the teams which the judges felt best demonstrated their concepts, innovation, impact, desirability, feasibility and viability. The winners were:

  • Most Improved Award – Knit It - £5,000
  • Best Pitch Award – Storical - £5,000
  • Most Innovative Award – Attendr - £5,000
  • Audience Choice Award – Kairos – £5,000

Showcase 2019

This event was the final of the RGU Innovation Accelerator Cohort 1 which is delivered by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group and funded by The Wood Foundation. This event was the first showcase with our first cohort of 25 high potential startups are driving economic growth across the north-east region and beyond.

Judges Choice Awards

Awarded to the teams which the judges felt best demonstrated their concepts, innovation, impact, desirability, feasibility and viability. The winners were:

  • Biggest Global Impact Award – Digital Future Capital - £20,000
  • Best Pitch Award – Evolved Monitors - £15,000
  • Most Improved Award – Archilink and coco-UNAI - £15,000
  • Audience Choice Award - Udrafter

Connect with RGU Innovation on Social Media

We encourage all guests to get involved in the event whether in the room or at home by sharing your photos or videos on social media and tagging:

#StartupShowcase @RGUInnovation @RobertGordonUni

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