Aberdeen Software Factory helps start-ups, small businesses and academic research projects turn ideas into working software.
The Aberdeen Software Factory is a student-run software house started in 2009 so that students can gain experience working on larger software projects.
Our undergraduate, MSc and PhD student developers work with you to design, build and improve software under the supervision of an academic with relevant expertise in your project topic. This brings together practical software development, fresh student talent, and academic expertise of researchers who are at the forefront of current discoveries and innovations.
For businesses, this provides an opportunity to develop software with the support and reputation of the 51cg and opens doors to new funding opportunities such as those from .
For academics, the Software Factory provides a route to build the software tools needed to support research impact and impact case studies.
Student developers benefit from two types of experience. First, they gain the experience of working in a development house prior to graduation, working on both greenfield sites, as well as helping to continue the development of ongoing projects. Second, they can also look at the factory from the business side of projects and think about what they need to do when setting up their own software house as entrepreneurs.
How it works
The process starts with an initial meeting with the ASF Lead, Dr Milan Markovic, to understand your needs and discuss how the project could work and how it will be funded. There are several options:
- Academic projects: external funding from a research funder (e.g., UKRI) or internal pump-priming funding.
- Start-ups and SMEs: external funding (e.g., or direct payment for the development work.
The funding route determines the size and duration of the development team. For example, a Standard Innovation Voucher provides for two students working one day per week for approximately 14 weeks, under academic supervision.
What our clients come to us for
Our academic clients most often come to us to develop standard web applications and digital tools that support their research. Start-ups, on the other hand, often approach us to access the academic expertise in AI and related technologies available within the University.
Once the approach and funding are agreed, we scope the project and put the development team in place.