On 7–8 May 2025, Turing Fest returned to Edinburgh for its 10th edition, bringing together founders, product leaders, growth experts, and investors for two days of learning, connection, and insight. From main-stage keynotes to after-hours chats in buzzing bars, the conference served up everything we’ve come to expect: world-class content, honest conversations, and a community committed to building the future of tech.
As a Platinum Sponsor, Techscaler was proud to be part of the action, with a buzzing presence in the exhibition hall and a team of ten on the ground. But we didn’t just show up, we brought others with us. Eight Techscaler members, early-stage founders from across Scotland, joined us with free tickets to an event they might not otherwise have accessed. The result? A rich, community-powered experience filled with knowledge, new opportunities, and powerful moments of connection.
What We Did
From our stand in the exhibition hall to curated investor roundtables and spontaneous introductions between sessions, Techscaler made the most of every minute:
- Hosted eight Techscaler founders at the event, giving them access to top-tier networking and content
- Held over 10 curated one-to-one meetings with investors, founders, and service providers
- Introduced prospective members to real Techscaler stories, shared by our community
- Engaged in roundtables, mentoring sessions, and spontaneous meetups across the venue
- Explored new tools and partnerships to support startups
- Built bridges with future collaborators
Meet the Founders
Our Techscaler members brought curiosity, ambition, and lived startup experience to Turing Fest 2025. Each founder represented a bold idea and a growing business spanning healthtech, AI, games, fintech, and more.
- Maxwell Scott-Slade – Founder of GLITCHERS, a BAFTA-nominated games studio creating high-impact collaborations at the intersection of gaming and science.
- Abdullah Al Wasif – Co-founder of Unityflow AI, a company revolutionising multilingual systems with a focus on underserved languages and inclusive tech.
- Alex Gordon-Furse – Co-founder of Portday, empowering shipping agents around the world to streamline and transform operations using AI.
- Caroline MacGregor – Founder of LetMeGo, a digital platform that helps people navigate emotional life changes with clarity, closure, and support.
- Tolulope Abikoye – Founder of Connecting Hands Ltd, currently building JoyeD, a pioneering digital health app focused on addressing postnatal depression.
- Natalie Harreld – Founder of superforest, a multimedia studio crafting soulful games and books designed to inspire, comfort, and connect.
- Oluwatimileyin (Timi) Kalejaiye – Founder of ph7, a soon-to-be digital bank helping young professionals build positive, sustainable financial habits.
- Martina McKinnel – Founder of Book Champion, a tech-enabled platform guiding parents through reading levels and schemes to confidently find the right books for their children.
These founders didn't just attend, they actively shaped the experience. Whether networking at our booth, contributing to roundtables, or connecting with new partners, their stories and presence gave real meaning to the Techscaler mission.
Highlights & Insights
1. Software’s Next S-Curve
The opening keynote by Intercom CPO Paul Adams set the tone: bold, candid, and unflinching in its vision. “The end of software as we know it” wasn't just a provocative title, it was a wake-up call. Adams shared how Intercom is fundamentally rethinking its business in the face of AI-native challengers. From product to people, they’re rewriting everything to survive the coming wave. For many of us, it felt like déjà vu, reminiscent of the mobile-social pivot years ago. But this time, the pace and stakes are even higher.
2. Learning from Lived Experience
Our founders weren’t just attendees, they were active participants. Techscaler members Milly Tamati (Generalist World) and Mohamed Zamzam (Neuron) hosted intimate roundtable discussions, offering insight from the trenches of early-stage building. These sessions added real depth to the event, reminding us that it’s not just about the theory, it’s about the journey.
3. What Startups Get Wrong About VC
A standout panel unpacked the common missteps startups make when seeking venture funding. The biggest takeaway? Not asking for help. That’s where Techscaler steps in - connecting founders with mentors, peers, and partners who’ve been there before. It was a timely reminder of why our model of community-led support matters.
4. Real Talk from Scaleup Leaders
Rebecca Moore, COO at Simple Online Healthcare, delivered a deeply honest talk on the messiness of scaling. Her honesty and clarity resonated deeply. A quick post-talk conversation opened the door to potential future collaboration, reminding us how Turing Fest sparks connections that can evolve over time, even from a single shared moment.
6. Community at the Core
Perhaps the most valuable part of our presence was our founders themselves. Throughout the event, prospective members were able to hear directly from peers at various stages of the journey. It wasn’t about conversions, it was about stories. Firsthand experiences of Techscaler’s programmes, mentoring, and events gave others the confidence to explore their own path.
Founder Perspectives
We asked our team and members what stood out. Here’s what they said:
- “Paul Adams’ keynote made me realise just how fast everything is about to change.”
- “The gender balance was refreshing. Women MCs, a baby on stage, it felt like a real shift.”
- “Meeting industry legends and international company representatives opened the doors for future Techscaler international visits.”
- “The roundtable with Gil Dibner gave Scottish founders access to honest investor insight you rarely get.”
What’s Next
Turing Fest 2025 reaffirmed what we already believed: when Scotland shows up, we do it with ambition, integrity, and community. The connections we made between founders, funders, and future collaborators, are already bearing fruit.
Here’s what’s ahead:
- Continuing conversations sparked at the event, from mentoring to international programmes
- Exploring new tech tools and platforms to support our member companies
- Sharing founder insights at upcoming Techscaler events and workshops
- Strengthening ties with potential global partners
- Championing authentic, founder-led growth - one story, one startup, one connection at a time
Turing Fest remains a standout in the tech calendar, not just for the ideas it shares, but for the ecosystem it strengthens. Scotland’s startup scene is rising, and Techscaler is proud to be right at the heart of it.
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