🌐 STAC investment, Drama at Maven Renovar, Techscaler SF and Singapore cohorts, Applications open for EDGE, GenAI for Entrepreneurs, Round One
Here's your Campfire for the 18th of August, 2025.
💼 This issue of Campfire is sponsored by Shepherd and Wedderburn's initiative to supercharge start-ups and scale-ups. Be sure to follow the Start to Scale LinkedIn page for useful videos and posts designed to help founders.
🌊 Updates
📰 STAC has launched an investment arm, committing £1m+ to three female-cofounded HealthTech startups: Smplicare (healthy aging support), Silver Lion Innovations (mobility solutions), and Seluna (paediatric sleep disorder software). DH EU FS SFN DGT SS
📖 Opinion piece: Rachel Jones, founder of SnapDragon, reflects on raising nearly £4m while navigating age and gender bias, pitching during COVID, and making rapid changes to meet investor expectations. Now leading Smart Works Scotland, she shares her perspective on choosing the right investors, backing your team, and persevering. DGT
🌏 Techscaler named 22 Scottish startups heading to Silicon Valley and Singapore for investor meetings and market expansion.
Silicon Valley cohort (24 Oct–14 Nov): Cleanifiq, Stamp Free, Valla, Tyre Runner, VanFill, Amytis, 20 Photos, NeuroBright, Neon Guard, Appio, NoLogo, Aethernova.
Singapore cohort (26 Oct–14 Nov): Rethink Carbon, Seluna, ThermaFY Eco Solutions, Tiny Air, Virtual Reality Empathy Platform, Wristbud/Interactive Health, Danu Insights, Connecting Hands, Trials Link, MyWay DigitalHealth. FS DN
🗳️ Glasgow-run Maven Renovar (formerly known as Amati AIM) shareholders have voted down former manager Paul Jourdan’s bid to join the board, with around 60% against. Jourdan was ousted last year when Maven Capital Partners took over management. Maven Renovar is a VCT focusing on AIM-traded companies, Chair Fiona Wollocombe, who made the decision to appoint Maven, has said the board may look to reduce the termination payout to Amati. AIC HS
🚀 Frank Strang, founder and CEO of SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, has died aged 67 after a short battle with cancer. IN
🕹️ 4J Studios, best known for developing Minecraft for consoles, has opened a new Edinburgh office on George Street for software and design staff. The team is working on a major new game, due in 2026. TS SBN SS DGT
🧗♀️ Scottish EDGE Round 26: Applications are open until 2pm, 10 September 2025. The £1.5m prize pot (loans and grants) includes the new Future EDGE Award (£150k for future industries like space, life sciences, Industrial biotechnology; Fintech; Critical technologies; Robotics and AI). Details, criteria, and support materials can be found here.
⭐️ Gen AI for Entrepreneurs: Applications are open for Gen AI for Entrepreneurs, a new course from two former CodeClan staff aimed at non-technical, early-stage founders. It covers practical uses of generative AI for brand, strategy, and prototype development, with some free places funded by The Ecosystem Fund. Apply by 27 August. MORE INFO
💰 Round One: Applications are open for Round One, a new, free 8-week investment readiness programme “designed to equip Scotland’s early-stage founders with the tools, networks and confidence to raise their first round of £150,000+” offering “intensive, in-person support from experienced founders, investors and industry experts”. Apply here.
📣 Asks & Offers, Deadlines
🚨 Start to Scale by Shepherd and Wedderburn is offering eligible subscribers of Campfire exclusive access to their ‘Start to Scale Hub’ which helps companies create template legal agreements in minutes for free. To learn more and request access click here.
🎮 Cat Burton, founder of Goth Boss Studios, provides consultancy and coaching for games and creative industry founders. With 17+ years’ experience (founder, CTO, CPO), she supports studios and start-ups with business strategy, product, and technical direction. She also works 1:1 with founders navigating burnout, impostor syndrome, and leadership challenges. Learn more at GothBoss.co.uk.
👭 Interested in connecting with possible co-founders? Fill in your listing on Cofounder Curious today! Connect with others for possible cofounder matching here.
👷Are you hiring? Send us a blurb and we’ll include it in the next newsletter!
✍️ Want to write something for Campfire? Have an opinion you'd like to share? get in touch!
📅 Events
🚀 19/08, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Founders Meetup Edinburgh. Tactical fireside chats with experienced entrepreneurs and speed networking with other founders, potential cofounders, and investors! MORE INFO
🕙 20/08, 10:00 (Online): Techscaler x CivTech: Round 11 Launch Webinar
Learn how to tackle real public-sector challenges, explore CivTech Round 11 funding, support, and guidance, and get advice on how to apply. MORE INFO
🍻 21/08, 18:15 🗺️ Edinburgh: People Planet Pint Join us in the beer gardens for a relaxed evening of sustainability chats, local ideas, and like-minded company. No agenda, just good people and better conversation. Bring a friend, bring your curiosity, and come raise a glass to making a difference. MORE INFO
🥐 22/08, 10:00 🗺️ Aberdeen: People Planet Pastry: A relaxed, informal event for anyone curious about sustainability, especially in a small business context. Join us over a Sage-sponsored coffee and pastry to connect with like-minded people, share ideas, and learn how others are taking action locally. MORE INFO
🛠️ 23/08, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Makers gonna make: Episode 9 A full day for indie makers to work on side projects, build new ideas, and share progress in a supportive, no-sales-pitch community. MORE INFO
📝 27/08, 10:00 🗺️ Online: Scottish EDGE Application Support Workshop. Learn how to submit a strong application for Round 26, with tips on criteria, pitching, and common pitfalls. MORE INFO
🎤 03/09, 08:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Unfiltered Edinburgh Honest conversations, real stories, and connection. A gathering for founders, creatives, and those building something meaningful. MORE INFO
🤝 03/09, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Business & Startup Networking Connect with local entrepreneurs, founders, and small businesses in a relaxed and welcoming environment. MORE INFO
🛠️ 04/09, 17:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Build Night: Startup Founders & Builders A casual evening for startup people who want to build, chat, and collaborate. MORE INFO
🛡 10/09, 08:20 -16:30 🗺 Glasgow: Scot‑Secure West Summit 2025. Scotland’s biggest annual cybersecurity conference, featuring live keynotes, workshops, and an exhibition at the Hilton. This curated event brings together InfoSec leaders, IT experts, researchers, and law enforcement to explore emerging threats and resilience strategies. MORE INFO
🧠 10/09, 9.30 am-12pm 🗺 Edinburgh: Equal Value Thinking - building a truly inclusive and creative workplace. Join Jay Davies, an autistic ADHDer with dyslexia, helps you understand how to create a truly inclusive and creative workplace. MORE INFO
🤖 16/09, 09:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: AI for Business Innovation & Impact Explore how businesses are using AI to improve performance and drive growth. Talks, Q&A, and networking. MORE INFO
📍 23/09 -25/09, 🗺️ Hilton Glasgow: APACT Conference
Organised by CPACT, the APACT conference brings together experts in process analytics and control to share innovations, research, and industry applications. The three-day event offers technical sessions, networking, and insights into the latest developments in process technology. MORE INFO
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That’s all for this week - have a great one!
Team 🔥 Campfire