The Edinburgh Pre-Incubator Scheme (EPIS) is a joint project between the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). EPIS is being delivered by Edinburgh Research and Innovation (ERI) on behalf of the University.

EPIS has been established by the University of Edinburgh in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise, to promote and support innovation in Edinburgh and the Lothians. EPIS is designed to give innovative and committed people with a bright idea for a new technology-based business, the time and relevant resources to bring that idea to a stage which it can be exploited in the marketplace.

Open to all, EPIS will provide access to advanced University facilities allowing entrepreneurs from outside the University and within, to test and develop their ideas. The model has a proven track record of success based on a programme which has been running for twenty years in The Netherlands at the University of Twente.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The EPIS programme is aimed at entrepreneurs intending to start a knowledge-led business in Edinburgh and the Lothians during the next 12 months.

• You must have a fully formed idea of tackling a business problem with a new technology or application of an existing technology.
• You must be a graduate of a recognised University and are likely to have considerable knowledge of your technological and market sectors.
• You should be able to evidence how you could make good use of a period of up to one year to further your plans within a University environment.
• You must be able to resource your time and your project during this period, but you may be able to make use of an EPIS Repayable Grant of up to £10,000.
• You must have unencumbered access to the intellectual property required to develop your business plan.
• You must be an individual intending to trade within one year.

This programme is not available to existing trading businesses.

CORNERSTONES OF THE EPIS PROGRAMME

Successful applicants will join the programme as EPIS Entrepreneurs.

The EPIS Team at the University of Edinburgh will project manage their transition to business. The cornerstones of the EPIS programme will be to:

• Identify a suitable University academic partner to host their work
• Identify a suitable business mentor to support them on a one-to-one basis
• Identify suitable laboratory space within the campus for them to further their work
• Assess their professional development needs
• Agree a training programme over their pre-incubation period
• Establish active links with a network of support services