Showcase 2025
Watch this year’s RGU Startup Accelerator cohort of RGU staff, students and alumni as they showcase their early-stage innovative businesses. In our recorded live stream, you will see see businesses win real cash prizes of over £20,000 in the final of the RGU Startup Accelerator programme and see the mini-expo off stage.
During the event on Wednesday 26 March, we will see Accelerator Cohort 2025 pitch their startups. Over the 5 months prior to the Showcase, the startups engaged in real customer discovery, developed their value proposition and participated in the Northeast entrepreneurial eco system to launch impactful and exciting ventures.
Showcase 2024
Rewatch the 2024 event
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Find out more about the 2024 Startup Accelerator Cohort:
Showcase 2023
Rewatch the live event
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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.
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