Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit & Festival 2025

Sorry you are too late, this event has been and gone!

The Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit and Festival/Awards 2025 is set to be a transformative event taking place from 6th to 10th October 2025 in Edinburgh.

About Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit & Festival 2025

Listed Under Business Events / Talks and Lectures Events

Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit and Festival/Awards 2025: Empowering Global Innovation and Investment.

A five-day flagship event uniting business leaders, policymakers, and professionals to foster inclusion, diversity, and innovation in Scotland's workforce.

The Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit and Festival/Awards 2025 is set to be a transformative event taking place from 6th to 10th October 2025 in Edinburgh, Scotland, with a series of high-profile gatherings aimed at fostering cross-continental collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship between Africa and Scotland. Organized by key ecosystem builders, universities, and business leaders, this five-day event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, academics, and ecosystem leaders to explore and shape the future of bi-continental innovation, investment, and inclusion.

Day 1: Launch Event – 6th October 2025: Edinburgh’s Opening
The event will begin with an exciting Launch Event in Edinburgh, featuring high-level speakers and an official introduction to the African-Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Pipeline (ASEEP). The launch sets the tone for the summit’s goals of encouraging inclusivity, creating investment opportunities, and strengthening collaborations between African and Scottish entrepreneurial ecosystems. This event will also provide attendees with a unique opportunity to network with local and international leaders.

Day 2: ASEEP – Crossing Borders, Building Bridges – Innovation, Investment & Inclusion – 7th October 2025: University of Edinburgh
The second day of the summit will feature a comprehensive Cultural & Innovation Tour at the University of Edinburgh, where delegates will immerse themselves in Scotland’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. The day begins with an introduction to ASEEP, followed by a tour of the University of Edinburgh’s innovation centers, including the Bayes Centre and The Data Lab, where cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship intersect.

Delegates will then attend a Networking Session with Scottish ecosystem leaders, researchers, and diaspora entrepreneurs. System Thinking workshops will be hosted by experts from Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh Napier University, to discuss creative approaches for ecosystem building.

This day will also highlight Diaspora-Led Business Showcase exhibitions, where African and Scottish businesses will display innovative products and solutions, with the support of Mastercard Foundation and other key partners. These pop-up exhibitions will provide a platform for entrepreneurial talent to showcase their work and explore potential investment opportunities.

Day 3: ASEEP – Bridging Continents – Pitching, Policy, and Partnership – 8th October 2025: University of Edinburgh
On Day 3, the summit will delve deeper into the themes of pitching, policy, and partnerships as it seeks to foster business growth across continents. The morning session kicks off with a high-profile opening address by a key figure in cross-continental innovation, followed by a fireside chat focused on unlocking global startup growth, moderated by leading experts in African and Scottish entrepreneurship.

In the Pitch Arena, Top 10 African startups will pitch their innovative business ideas to judges, including representatives from Scottish Edge, Scottish Enterprise, and CivTech, among others. This dynamic session offers a rare opportunity for these startups to access invaluable support and funding.

The day continues with two expert panels: the first will focus on building the Africa-Scotland startup pipeline, featuring ecosystem builders from both Africa and Scotland, and the second will tackle the critical issue of cross-border investment strategies, bringing together African VCs, diaspora investors, and Scottish funders.

The day’s programme will also include a series of presentations under the theme “Innovation in Africa”, showcasing ground-breaking solutions in Agritech, Climate Tech, FinTech, Health Innovation, and Creative Industries from key African countries.

Day 4: ASEEP – The Summit and Award Gala Night – 9th October 2025: Heart of Midlothian FC
The 9th October marks the grand finale of the summit, featuring The Summit and Award Gala Night at the Heart of Midlothian FC. This prestigious event will honour the achievements of outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Africa and Scotland. The gala promises to be a night of celebration, with award presentations recognizing the innovators, investors, and leaders who are driving cross-continental growth and inclusion.

Day 5: Next Steps and Future Collaborations – 10th October 2025
On the final day, attendees will come together to reflect on the discussions and outcomes of the summit, as well as to discuss the next steps in advancing the African-Scottish Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Pipeline (ASEEP). The day will feature final wrap-up sessions, collaborations, and an exploration of the future of the African-Scottish entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a focus on expanding partnerships and strengthening connections between Africa and Scotland.

In Conclusion:
The Scottish Ethnic Minority Talent Summit and Festival/Awards 2025 promises to be a landmark event for anyone interested in innovation, investment, and inclusion between Africa and Scotland. With a robust line-up of workshops, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, the event will provide invaluable insights and connections for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors. From the opening cultural tour in Edinburgh to the high-profile Gala Night, this summit is set to shape the future of cross-continental business relations and accelerate the growth of global startups.

This summit is more than just an event – it is a platform for bridging continents, fostering innovation, and driving inclusivity across the entrepreneurial world. Attendees can expect to walk away with a stronger network, deeper knowledge of global markets, and the tools to take their businesses and ideas to the next level.

Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.

All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.

GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!

Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!

Similar events you might like...

The Ultimate Holiday Party: Startups, Investors & Friends

10th December 2025 - 11th December 2025

Shanghai Nightclub, Edinburgh New Town

Join us for an end-of-year holiday gathering hosted by UK Startup Hub, Foras Ventures, Founders Meetup, and Tech Meetup, a night to unwind, connect, and toast to the hard work that defined 2025!