
Partner With Us
Get expertise, support and exposure
Benefit from a partnership with us
Partnership is at the heart of how The Data Lab works as an Innovation Centre. Our mission is to help Scotland maximise value from data — and lead the world to a data-powered future. This can only be achieved through collaboration with public and private sector partners. Our whole ethos is about moving forward with companies to help them gain the most benefits from the power of data.
We build partnerships with businesses in two main ways:
- by helping companies collaborate with data specialists.
- by providing partnership opportunities.
Both of these bespoke services will help your company innovate and grow.
In addition, in 2022 we are launching The Data Lab Academy, and are actively looking for partners to work with us on this exciting project to grow Scotland’s data and AI talent pool.

Collaborate With Specialists
We provide contacts, funding and project management support to enable businesses like yours to collaborate with data science researchers and specialists, on innovative and beneficial data projects.

Partnership and sponsorship opportunities
Linking up with The Data Lab as a Partner is a cost-effective way to raise your visibility amongst Scotland’s data science community. We’ll help you reach key audiences using a flexible approach that offers year-round opportunities.

Partner with The Data Lab Academy
Since 2014, we have provided full scholarship funding to over 880 students on MSc courses in Data and AI-related subjects at 11 Scottish Universities. We also help these students to develop their employability skills — preparing them for the world of work.
The newly launched Data Lab Academy aims to grow the IMPACT of this work. With the support of our Partners, we aim to reach out to all the students on the MSc courses we support (not just our funded students) and offer them access to our networking, employability skills and work placement training.
We’ve helped…
3,000
Businesses harness the power of data
395
New jobs in data
Speak to our partnership team to find out how we can help your business meet its goals.
Find out how we’ve helped Scotland’s businesses leverage the power of data:
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The Scottish Climate Intelligence Service: Helping local authorities reduce emissions
Supported by The Data Lab, the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI) developed innovative tools to facilitate data-driven decisions and positive climate action by local governments. The Challenge Scotland has ambitious net-zero targets, requiring all public bodies to cut their organisational emissions. But Scotland’s 32 local authorities want to go further, tackling emissions from all sources…
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Elementz and The Data Lab: Advancing AI Talent Through Industry Collaboration
The Data Lab is helping shape Scotland’s AI talent pipeline by connecting students with industry. Elementz, specialists in subsea integrity software, shared their experience hosting Karol Hetman, a Data Lab Academy student whose placement delivered lasting impact. Karol Hetman, a Computer Science and Physics graduate from the University of Aberdeen, had already been working as…
News about our work helping businesses:
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£500 up for grabs in data viz competition exploring climate action
The Data Lab Community’s Data Visualisation Competition returns for 2025. Data viz enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in the 2025 The Data Lab Community‘s competition. Tell the story of the hidden benefits of climate action to our health, community and beyond. Whether you are a seasoned data viz pro or just getting started, this competition…
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Reflections on Black History: Innovation, creativity and courage
Guest blog by Abel Aboh, Board Member, The Data Lab Scotland Did you know that the iconic “Thin White Duke” persona of David Bowie was created by a Black woman? Her name was Ola Hudson, an extraordinary costume designer who worked with the Pointer Sisters, John Lennon, and David Bowie himself. Hudson’s creative genius shaped…
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Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards open with new categories
The 11th Scottish Knowledge Exchange Awards (SKEA), Scotland’s flagship celebration of business–academic collaboration, launched last week, inviting applications from businesses and academics throughout Scotland. The annual awards, organised by Interface, celebrate the partnerships between business, third and public sector organisations, and colleges and universities. This year introduces two new categories: Trailblazing AI Collaborations and Research and…
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