Real-world challenges, unreal solutions

Applied AI is Tech Nation’s first growth programme for Artificial Intelligence to help the UK’s most promising founders who are applying AI in practical areas and to create real-world impact. We do this through peer-to-peer support and the shared experience of later-stage founders, all curated under values of honesty, intimacy and trust.

We know that scaling an AI company comes with its own, unique challenges. This is a network that will unpack the AI-specific scaling journey, led by those who have done it and with the support of like-minded peers.

Our six-month programme focuses on providing founders and leaders of the sector with invaluable skills, a powerful network – including peers, investors and potential clients – and the ability to implement changes that will help their companies grow.

It’s free to join, and we don’t take an equity stake in your business. To determine who gets a place on the cohort, we’ve put together a panel of expert judges.

Our Judges

Tech Nation is proud to have so many industry leaders support our Applied AI programme.

We want to do things differently

Artificial Intelligence is making waves. With countries around the world investing heavily in grand plans and strategies for the technology, it has never been more important to support AI that is solving real-world problems in the UK. Dame Wendy Hall, Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton and a member of the Applied AI judging panel, explains that more impactful changes and initiatives are continuing to be actioned for AI

The UK has continued to make strides as an international leader in Artificial Intelligence, since the recommendations of the AI Review that I co-authored in 2017. From the launch of the bespoke AI & Data Sector Deal, to the recently announced AI Council, we are seeing impactful initiatives announced to continue this important work. I am therefore thrilled to see that Tech Nation has created a tailored, nationally-focused growth programme for entrepreneurs in the Applied AI space

Dame Wendy Hall, Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton

Looking past the hype

Our conversations with founders and VC’s have told us that scaling an Applied AI company is particularly tough, and the pool of companies post-series A is relatively small, despite the hype. Some of the key issues founders have reported are:

Tech Nation is looking for AI companies that have the ambition to grow, are looking at solving wider problems, and have an ethical sense and want to contribute positively to the sector. Angie Ma, COO of Faculty and one of our Applied AI judges, perfectly describes what we’re trying to achieve:

“AI is the transformational technology of our time, but for society to see the benefits we need to apply it in the real-world enhancing products, improving services and saving lives.”

Angie Ma, COO of Faculty

Originally founded by Elena Spinel, Founder of Acorn Inspirations, the initiative is a huge opportunity for children to positively impact the AI of tomorrow and diversify the future workforce of AI by creating opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds. 

“It’s vital that young people from all backgrounds have a chance to participate in our programmes. The real societal impact can only be achieved when technology that powers the world is representative of the diverse societal makeup of the world and this is exactly what Teens in AI is attempting to achieve: offer opportunities to all young people, irrespective of their gender or background, to express their voices through technology for social good.”

Elena Spinel, Founder of Acorn Aspirations & Teens in AI

How does the programme work?

The programme