Tech Nation, the leading scaleup-network for UK entrepreneurs, has today opened applications for its first ever peer-to-peer growth programme for Applied AI businesses.

Applied AI 1.0, working alongside the UK Government’s Office for Artificial Intelligence, will start this September and is inspired by Tech Nation’s successful Future Fifty, Upscale and Fintech programmes. The programme is supported by Faculty, one of the UK’s leading AI businesses.

This free nationwide programme will predominantly serve as a practical network for founders of leading Applied AI companies, facilitating peer-to-peer learning across the C-suite (CEO, CTO, COO and more).

Interactions will be structured around sessions that focus on key scaling challenges, identified through conversations with founders and venture capital investors. These sessions will be delivered by later-stage or exited entrepreneurs who have a proven track record of success. The programme will also host a series of dinners and networking events to help facilitate tailored connections to industry experts, journalists, government and investors. There will also be an opportunity to join an international trip.

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“Tech Nation’s new Applied AI programme will help nurture some of our most talented entrepreneurs who use AI to improve people’s lives. I encourage anyone with the talent, ideas and aptitude to apply,” said Margot James MP, Minister for Digital Creative Industries.

Applications will be judged by a panel of leading industry experts, including: Dame Wendy Hall, Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton; Tabitha Goldstaub, Co-Founder of CognitionX and Chair of UK Government AI Council; Dr Mike Short CBE, Chief Scientific Advisor, DIT; Angie Ma, Co-Founder and COO, Faculty; David Kelnar, Partner and Head of Research, MMC Ventures; Nathan Benaich, Partner, Air Street Capital and others.

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Gerard Grech, CEO, Tech Nation, commented: “Investment in AI technology has grown almost 6 fold in the last four years, and many AI unicorns are headquartered in the UK, including Darktrace and Graphcore. This significant growth means that the need for access to industry knowledge, connections and insights has never been greater, which is why we’re delighted to announce this latest scaling programme for Applied AI companies.”

Tech Nation’s news comes as government announces that up to 2,500 people from underrepresented groups will have the opportunity to retrain and become experts in data science and AI, thanks to a £13.5 million investment to fund new degree and Masters conversion courses and scholarships at UK academic institutions over the next three years.

Applicants can apply on the Tech Nation Website, at the following link: https://technation.io/applied-ai