Microsoft and Seedrs debut innovative AI accelerator

  • Seedrs teams up with Microsoft to introduce SERIES AI, an accelerator for AI startups.
  • The program spans four weeks, offering guidance, resources, and mentorship.
  • Six finalists will pitch their ventures at a Pitching Demo Day attended by leading UK VCs.
  • Seedrs’ recent acquisition by Republic strengthens its position as a global investment platform.
  • John Lake, Seedrs’ Managing Director, highlights the UK’s AI leadership and the importance of equipping founders with AI expertise.
  • Microsoft’s £2.5 billion investment pledge further underscores the commitment to bolstering Britain’s AI infrastructure.

Main AI News:

In a strategic alliance, Seedrs, the premier private investment platform in Europe, collaborates with Microsoft to unveil SERIES AI, a cutting-edge accelerator tailored for burgeoning startups in the realm of artificial intelligence.

Scheduled to span a concise four-week period commencing on May 1, 2024, this accelerator promises a comprehensive package of guidance, tools, and mentorship, meticulously designed to empower nascent entrepreneurs in refining their AI software, honing their business strategies, and enhancing their pitch decks.

Culminating in a high-stakes Pitching Demo Day, six finalists, meticulously chosen, will have the exclusive opportunity to showcase their ventures before a distinguished panel comprising two esteemed UK venture capital firms—Vektor Partners and SFC—alongside a discerning audience of VCs, investors, and industry luminaries.

This initiative comes hot on the heels of Seedrs’ acquisition by Republic, propelling it to the summit as the foremost private investment platform globally, boasting a staggering portfolio of over 2,100 closed deals since its inception in 2012.

Reflecting on this collaboration, John Lake, the Managing Director at Seedrs, remarked:

In recent years, the United Kingdom has solidified its position as a trailblazer in artificial intelligence. Fueled by a dynamic ecosystem nurtured by top-tier STEM institutions and a conducive regulatory framework, our nation witnessed AI emerge as the second most funded sector in 2023.”

At Seedrs, cognizant of investors’ burgeoning interest in AI, we recognize the imperative for founders to be equipped with the requisite insights and expertise to harness this momentum. Through our partnership with Microsoft, we are poised to furnish a select cohort of businesses with the tools they need to refine their AI offerings and gain access to critical growth capital.”

This endeavor dovetails with Microsoft’s earlier commitment in November to infuse £2.5 billion into fortifying Britain’s AI infrastructure.

Conclusion:

The collaboration between Seedrs and Microsoft to launch an AI accelerator reflects a strategic move to foster innovation and support AI startups. With the backing of leading VCs and Microsoft’s substantial investment, the initiative is poised to drive growth and advancement in the UK’s AI ecosystem, signaling promising opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

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