Sign up

By city

Find a co-founder in Edinburgh

Edinburgh mixes a long financial tradition with a strong computer science culture. Banks, insurers and asset managers have shaped a pool of finance professionals, while the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics has trained generations of engineers in software, data and artificial intelligence. Skyscanner and FanDuel both started here.

Publish my project for freeBrowse talent

In short

To find a co-founder in Edinburgh, publish your project on EasyCofounder targeting Edinburgh and Scotland, and name the role you are missing, whether a data engineer, a fintech specialist or a business partner. Filter talent by skills and location, then meet over coffee in the city and work on a short project together before agreeing on equity.

That combination makes the city a natural place for fintech, data and AI projects, but also for software aimed at tourism, culture and the public sector. The Scottish capital is compact, so meeting a potential partner in person is easy, and Glasgow is close enough to widen the search.

On EasyCofounder, describe your idea, the stage you have reached and the partner you are looking for, then target Edinburgh or the whole of Scotland. Talent from the region who sign up lists skills and availability, and AI matching suggests complementary profiles.

The startup ecosystem in Edinburgh

  • Informatics and data

    The University of Edinburgh is internationally known for informatics and AI research, and Heriot-Watt and Edinburgh Napier add engineering and computing graduates.

  • Finance heritage

    Decades of banking, insurance and investment management give Edinburgh people who understand financial products and regulation, a valuable background for fintech co-founders.

  • Scottish support

    Scottish Enterprise, university incubators and organisations such as FinTech Scotland support early founders with programmes, introductions to investors and mentors, and events throughout the year.

Find your co-founder in 4 steps

  1. 1

    Create your free profile

    Describe your skills, your availability and what you bring to a founding team.

  2. 2

    Publish your project

    Say which role you are looking for (CTO, CEO, CMO…), the commitment expected and the equity on offer, in Edinburgh.

  3. 3

    Let the matching work

    Filter talent by skill and location, or get suggestions of compatible profiles from the AI matching.

  4. 4

    Talk, then meet

    Chat through the built-in messaging, test your collaboration on a first project and put your agreement in writing in a shareholders’ agreement.

Frequently asked questions

Is Edinburgh a good city for a fintech startup?

Yes. Its financial institutions provide experienced professionals and potential partners, and the local tech community is used to working with them. Check regulatory requirements early with the FCA or a specialist adviser.

How do I meet technical co-founders from the University of Edinburgh?

University entrepreneurship programmes and student societies run events open to founders. Combine them with a project on EasyCofounder that clearly describes the technical role and the problem you solve.

Can I look for a co-founder in both Edinburgh and Glasgow?

Yes. The two cities are well connected by frequent trains. Set Scotland as your area and mention hybrid work in your project to reach engineers and business profiles in both.

How do I start my co-founder search in Edinburgh?

Sign up for free on EasyCofounder, publish your project targeting Edinburgh with the role, skills and commitment you expect, and contact matching profiles through the built-in messaging.

Guides to partner well

Find a co-founder in another city

Find a co-founder by sector

Find a co-founder by role