University of Edinburgh Student Festivals Hackathon

⌖ Edinburgh · Black Medicine Coffee

Hosted by Edinburgh Data Science and AI

Meet Edinburgh’s data science, machine learning and AI community over coffee on Wednesday 14 October 2026, from 11:00am to 1:00pm BST. Hosted by Emily T. for Edinburgh Data Science and AI, this first Data Science Coffee Club offers an informal alternative to the group’s usual speaker events. Head downstairs at Black Medicine Coffee in Edinburgh, buy a drink and connect with other people working in the field. There are no talks, slides, pitches or formal agenda. Instead, conversations may cover: - Current projects and technical problems - Interesting tools, ideas and approaches - Opportunities to collaborate or help one another - Developments across Edinburgh’s data science, ML and AI community The session is primarily for data science and machine learning professionals. You do not need to be a regular member of the Edinburgh community: professionals visiting the city are welcome too. If conversations are still flowing when the event finishes at 1:00pm, attendees may continue over lunch nearby. Register for the Data Science Coffee Club.

⌖ Edinburgh · The Slug and Lettuce George Street

Hosted by ⭐ Edinburgh Tech Network (ETN) ⭐

Meet Edinburgh’s tech community over informal drinks on Wednesday 14 October 2026, from 7–10pm BST, at The Slug and Lettuce George Street. Hosted by Edinburgh Tech Network and OkGather, this relaxed networking evening is built around useful conversations rather than presentations. There are no PowerPoints, speeches, structured introductions or organised activities: simply grab a drink, find the Edinburgh Tech Network table and meet people working across Edinburgh’s technology scene. The gathering is aimed at: - Software engineers and developers - Product managers - Data and AI professionals - Designers and UX practitioners - Startup founders and operators - People building products, projects or careers in tech Attendees can exchange ideas, learn from peers and make connections that may lead to collaborations or career opportunities. The event is generally self-hosted, with no designated host leading the evening; venue staff will direct you to the group’s reserved table. Venue: The Slug and Lettuce George Street, 113–115 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JN. Places are limited. Attendance requires an OkGather membership, priced at £2.99 per month. Members can show their OkGather profile at the bar to receive 20% off food and drinks. RSVP for the event on Meetup

⌖ Edinburgh · Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP

Hosted by UK Startup Events

Meet founders, investors and potential cofounders in Edinburgh on 20 October 2026 for tactical startup insights and focused networking. Organised by UK Startup Events, this founder-focused meetup combines practical conversation with structured opportunities to make useful connections. It takes place at Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP, 9 Haymarket Square, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm, followed by optional pub drinks at The Jolly Botanist. What to expect The evening begins with open networking and colour badges designed to support speed networking. After introductions, the community shoutouts give attendees a safe space to explain what they are building, celebrate recent wins and ask for help with current challenges. The centrepiece is an informal, hands-on tactical fireside chat about the strategies involved in building, shaping and growing a startup. Topics change each month, with experienced entrepreneurs and diverse guests sharing their stories. The October guest has not yet been announced; follow the Founders Meetup LinkedIn page for updates. Agenda: - 18:00: Arrival and open networking with speed-networking colour badges - 19:00: Welcome and introductions - 19:05: Community shoutouts - 19:20: Tactical fireside chat - 20:00: Open networking and drinks - 20:30 onwards: Pub drinks at The Jolly Botanist Who should attend? This meetup is designed for people currently building startups, those exploring an idea, founders searching for cofounders or team members, investors looking for opportunities, and anyone keen to learn from experienced startup operators. The format is useful whether you are at the idea stage or already working to grow a company.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Start to Scale · Shepherd and Wedderburn

⌖ Edinburgh · The Melting Pot

Hosted by OutGeekWomen - Badass Pros

Women in Tech Edinburgh brings mid- and senior-level tech professionals together for CTO pitches, speed interviews and career-focused networking on 20 October 2026. Taking place from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at The Melting Pot in Edinburgh, this in-person OutGeekWomen event offers a lively alternative to conventional recruitment fairs. Attendees can meet hiring teams, discover local technology companies and build meaningful connections with accomplished professionals from across the industry. What to expect The evening puts tech professionals and job seekers in the driving seat. Rather than relying on long corporate presentations, CTOs and hiring teams will deliver concise pitches,and attendees will vote for the best one. The programme also creates space for informal technical conversations, networking and fast-paced interviews. Activities include: - Short pitches from CTOs and hiring teams - An attendee vote for the evening’s best company pitch - Speed interviews with potential employers - Conversations about technology, teams and current opportunities - Networking with fellow mid- and senior-level professionals - The chance to meet people behind established tech brands and explore Edinburgh’s local tech scene This format is designed to help you assess companies as much as they assess candidates. Whether you are actively considering your next career move or simply want to expand your professional circle, the event provides direct access to engineering leaders, development teams and talent acquisition professionals. Who is it for? The event is particularly relevant to software engineers, data scientists, product managers, project managers and UI/UX designers who want to keep up with the fast-moving technology sector. It centres women in tech and creates an opportunity to connect with accomplished women working across diverse IT disciplines, but the organisers explicitly welcome everyone. Employers will include CTOs, VPs of Engineering and talent acquisition leaders looking to present their organisations, network and hire. Companies interested in participating can register through the OutGeek website, while tech and community groups can contact the organisers about collaboration. Tickets and venue… Register for this event

⌖ Edinburgh

Data Day Edinburgh 2026 is an in-person data conference taking place in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, on 23 October 2026. About the event Data Day Edinburgh 2026 brings its data-focused conference format to Scotland’s capital for a full day dedicated to the field. It offers an opportunity to step away from day-to-day work and spend time exploring the wider data landscape alongside other people interested in the subject. The event listing positions data as the central theme. This makes the conference potentially relevant to professionals, practitioners and decision-makers whose work involves collecting, managing, analysing or applying data, as well as people following the relationship between data, AI and automation. However, the currently available event page does not identify a specific experience level or confirm whether sessions will be introductory, advanced or mixed. What to expect This is listed as an in-person conference rather than an online event. Attendees can therefore expect to participate on location in Edinburgh. The published information currently confirms: - Date: Friday, 23 October 2026 - Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom - Format: In-person data conference - Core subject: Data A detailed agenda has not yet been included in the supplied listing. Speaker names, individual session topics, workshop details, networking activities, timings and venue information are also not currently specified. If these details are important to your decision, check the event page as the date approaches for programme updates and practical attendance information. Who should consider attending? Data Day Edinburgh 2026 is worth tracking if you work with data or want to understand developments across the field. That may include people working in analytics, data operations, product, technology, AI or automation, although the organiser has not published a formal audience profile in the available material. With the event scheduled for October 2026, prospective attendees have time to monitor the listing for announcements about speakers, content and ticket availability. Follow the official event page for the latest published details and booking options. View the event page and register for Data Day Edinburgh 2026

⌖ Edinburgh · Stansted House, 3rd Floor, 12-14 Long Lane, London EC1A 9PN, UK

Hosted by The Investment Association (IA)

IA Conference Scotland 2026 brings investment leaders, policymakers and innovators to Edinburgh on 5 November for debate on AI, regulation and sustainable growth. Taking place at The Exchange, EH3 8EE, this flagship one-day conference from The Investment Association will examine how Scotland can strengthen its position as a global centre for investment management. More than 330 attendees from 110+ organisations are expected, including senior decision-makers, regulators and policymakers. What to expect The programme combines keynote speeches, leadership panels, fireside chats, presentations, interactive sessions and networking. Across 20+ thought-leadership sessions and more than eight hours of content, delegates will explore: - AI, digital transformation and technological disruption in asset management - Regulatory change, political developments and global market dynamics - Changing client expectations and the future of retail investing - Operational resilience amid cyber threats, geopolitical tension and supply-chain disruption - Talent, competitiveness and Scotland’s role in attracting capital - Sustainable growth and the investment industry’s contribution to UK prosperity An AI-focused debate featuring Dr Sonia Schulenburg of Level E Research will ask whether artificial intelligence is an incremental development or a fundamental shift for asset management, and consider how it is already reshaping the industry. Speakers and sessions The day begins with breakfast and networking from 08:00, followed by the main conference programme. John Owen, CEO of The Investment Association, will deliver his first address at the Scottish conference before moderating a leadership panel with Xavier Meyer of Aberdeen, Kirstie MacGillivray of Aegon, Sandra Boss of BlackRock and Scott Wallace of Aberforth Partners. Further highlights include: - A conversation with Stephen Flynn MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, on Scotland’s economic priorities and investment-led growth - A resilience fireside chat with Kenneth MacKay of M&G Asset Management - Miranda Seath’s launch of new IA analysis into boutique asset management in 2026, with a focus on Scotland - A discussion about how demographics, technology and changing attitudes to risk are transforming investing for individuals… Register for this event

Sponsors: FundGuard