[{"_1":2,"_255":-5,"_256":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_28":29},"root",{"_5":6,"_22":23,"_24":25,"_26":27},"settings",{"_7":8,"_9":8,"_10":8,"_11":8,"_12":13,"_14":15,"_16":17,"_18":19,"_20":21},"google_login_enabled",true,"linkedin_login_enabled","microsoft_login_enabled","apple_login_enabled","primary_color","#337ad0","secondary_color","#2762a9","logo","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/branding_logos/Venture-Cafe-Edinburgh-Logo_Horiz7_OneLine-large.png?X-Goog-Algorithm=GOOG4-RSA-SHA256&X-Goog-Credential=gatherus-storage%40itsp-160413.iam.gserviceaccount.com%2F20260503%2Fauto%2Fstorage%2Fgoog4_request&X-Goog-Date=20260503T143635Z&X-Goog-Expires=86400&X-Goog-SignedHeaders=host&X-Goog-Signature=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","community_graphic","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/branding_community/Edinburgh_community.jpg?X-Goog-Algorithm=GOOG4-RSA-SHA256&X-Goog-Credential=gatherus-storage%40itsp-160413.iam.gserviceaccount.com%2F20260503%2Fauto%2Fstorage%2Fgoog4_request&X-Goog-Date=20260503T143635Z&X-Goog-Expires=86400&X-Goog-SignedHeaders=host&X-Goog-Signature=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","tenant_name","Venture Café Edinburgh","locale","en","hasAuthCookie",false,"origin","https://community.venturecafeedinburgh.org","routes/sessions.$sessionId",{"_30":31,"_76":77,"_252":253,"_254":50},"session",{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},"id",64,"title","Building a Business in Scotland: Lived Experiences","description","

Hear from Laura Bernal, founder of Axiotic AI, as she shares her journey, the company she’s building, the milestones she’s reached, and the challenges she’s navigated along the way.

","start_date","2026-04-09T17:50:00Z","end_date","2026-04-09T18:00:00Z","is_registration_required","is_registered","space","event_id","a8cf2de5-242b-401b-897d-a5bb98163ced","event_name","Building Scotland: Turning Conversations into Action","image","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/networking_5cehoBb.png","image_thumbnail","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_networking_5cehoBb.jpg","speakers",[55],{"_32":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70},57,"first_name","Laura","last_name","Bernal","default_title","Founder","linkedin_link","","profile_photo","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/speaker_photos/Laura_Bernal_Picture.jpeg","default_bio","

Laura is the founder of Axiotic AI, a company developing optimised foundational AI architectures. She brings extensive experience across the entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a track record in both strategic and operational roles.

\r\n

She previously served as Chief of Staff at Malted AI, where she supported early growth and team expansion. Prior to that, she designed and implemented the University of Edinburgh’s Venture Builder incubator, the university’s first programme of its kind, focused on supporting early-stage companies looking to translate academic research into commercial ventures.

\r\n

Earlier in her career, Laura founded NetMinds, operating across the North East of England and Northern Ireland. During COVID-19, the company was recognised for supporting startups to adapt and grow through workforce development initiatives delivered in partnership with the European Commission.

","organization","Axiotic AI","has_free_spots","timezone","GMT+0","stream_url","booking_url","event",{"_32":46,"_78":48,"_79":80,"_81":82,"_36":83,"_38":84,"_85":-5,"_40":82,"_86":87,"_206":207,"_225":226,"_104":-5,"_49":241,"_51":242,"_243":244,"_43":25,"_245":25,"_53":246,"_72":73},"name","effective_checkin_start_date","2026-04-09T13:45:00Z","effective_checkin_end_date","2026-04-09T20:00:00Z","

While Scotland's entrepreneurial landscape has no shortage of discussions, programmes, and reports exploring how to support startups and scaleups, the question of why we're doing it often gets less attention. Without a clear ‘north star,’ execution can become fragmented, leading to misaligned initiatives and wasted resources.

\r\n

This Thursday Gathering with James Varga, serial entrepreneur, and Laura Bernal Vergara, founder of Axiotic AI, is an opportunity to step back and ask: what is the shared vision for Scotland's tech ecosystem? What do we actually want to build, and for whom?

\r\n

If you're a founder, ecosystem supporter, or simply curious about where the country goes next, join us for a conversation about the fundamental \"why\" behind our desire to build a Scotland that encourages, supports, and attracts entrepreneurship.

\r\n

Powered by Advanced Research + Invention Agency

\r\n

$\"\"$

","2026-04-09T14:15:00Z","check_in_source","sessions",[88,96,115,125,144,162,165,187,196],{"_32":89,"_34":90,"_36":91,"_38":92,"_40":82,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},62,"Networking","

Our Thursday Gatherings are designed for serendipitous connections and making things happen. Expect plenty of chances to meet people, share ideas, and enjoy refreshments and activities along the way.

","2026-04-09T17:00:00Z","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/Innovator_Showcase.JPG","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_Innovator_Showcase.jpg",[],{"_32":97,"_34":98,"_36":99,"_38":100,"_40":82,"_42":8,"_43":25,"_44":101,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":112,"_51":113,"_53":114,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},69,"Conversation Corner with PRIMED Edinburgh","

Join us in the Conversation Corner for an informal chat with PRIMED Edinburgh, a programme supporting researchers and innovators to turn cutting-edge ideas into real-world impact. Working at the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship, PRIMED helps individuals explore the commercial potential of their work and take early steps towards building ventures.

\r\n

This is a relaxed opportunity to learn more about what they do, ask questions, and connect - whether you’re curious about innovation, exploring an idea, or just keen to meet others working across Edinburgh’s ecosystem.

","2026-04-09T17:00:01Z",{"_32":102,"_78":103,"_104":105},1,"Room 2.55","floor_plan",{"_32":102,"_106":107,"_108":109,"_110":111},"label","Floor 2 Floorplan","floor_map_thumbnail","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/floor_plans/thumbnails/thumb_Blank_floor_2.png","floor_map","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/floor_plans/Blank_floor_2.png","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/Screenshot_2026-04-01_at_13.29.04.png","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_Screenshot_2026-04-01_at_13.29.04.png",[],{"_32":116,"_34":117,"_36":118,"_38":119,"_40":82,"_42":8,"_43":25,"_44":120,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":122,"_51":123,"_53":124,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},70,"LEGO Building Challenge!","

Ready to get hands-on? Drop by and take on the LEGO challenge! Get ready to tackle the build - team up with others, dive in, and see how far you can get.

\r\n

Whether you’re in it for a bit of fun, some light competition, or a chance to connect while you build, this is your space to collaborate and create. The question is… will you finish in time?

","2026-04-09T17:00:02Z",{"_32":102,"_78":103,"_104":121},{"_32":102,"_106":107,"_108":109,"_110":111},"https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/Screenshot_2026-04-01_at_13.43.18.png","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_Screenshot_2026-04-01_at_13.43.18.png",[],{"_32":126,"_34":127,"_36":128,"_38":129,"_40":130,"_42":8,"_43":25,"_44":131,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":133,"_51":134,"_53":135,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},60,"Driving action from sales conversations - 10 tactics you’re probably not using today to accelerate revenue this year","

Sales conversations look very different in 2026. AI tools are everywhere, inboxes are noisier than ever, and still most deals are still won or lost on the same fundamentals

\r\n

This session is designed for founders, early sales hires, operators, investors, or anyone who finds themselves having commercial conversations, whether or not they think of themselves as “in sales”

\r\n

We’ll cover practical best practices for 2026, including

\r\n

How to start more relevant conversations with potential customers
What actually works now when booking new meetings
How to run clearer, more effective discovery conversations
Common mistakes that quietly kill deals early
How to turn good conversations into real pipeline and revenue
How to coach and support others in your business to sell more effectively

\r\n

It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new to sales or have built and run multiple sales teams. The focus is on simple, usable tactics that improve the quality of conversations immediately

\r\n

The goal is for people to leave with a clearer understanding of how sales actually works, why it matters, and how it directly affects revenue, decision making, and growth

","2026-04-09T17:15:00Z","2026-04-09T17:45:00Z",{"_32":102,"_78":103,"_104":132},{"_32":102,"_106":107,"_108":109,"_110":111},"https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/Screenshot_2026-01-13_at_16.43.40.png","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_Screenshot_2026-01-13_at_16.43.40.png",[136],{"_32":137,"_57":138,"_59":139,"_61":140,"_63":64,"_65":141,"_67":142,"_69":143},54,"Bryan","Mulry","Sales Coach","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/speaker_photos/Screenshot_2026-03-31_at_10.57.50.png","

Bryan Mulry is the in-house sales coach at MySalesCoach, working with early-stage founders and small sales teams to improve outbound and founder-led sales

\r\n

Previously a seller at Google and Salesloft, Bryan has coached 120+ startups on booking more meetings, running clearer sales conversations, and closing higher-quality deals

\r\n

His focus is giving busy founders simple, practical tactics they can use immediately to drive early revenue

","MySalesCoach",{"_32":145,"_34":146,"_36":147,"_38":129,"_40":148,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":149,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":151,"_51":152,"_53":153,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},61,"Palm Reading with Kalem Turner","

Get a glimpse into the future and explore what’s ahead! Join Kalem Turner for a session of quick-fire palm readings, where your hands can reveal insights, spark reflection, and help you engage with change.

\r\n

As we spend so much time building and scaling within the ecosystem, this is a chance to pause and turn that same energy inward - reflecting on your own path, your future, and how it connects to the bigger picture.

\r\n

The pre-registration period has now closed, but stay tuned for updates!

","2026-04-09T18:15:00Z",{"_32":102,"_78":103,"_104":150},{"_32":102,"_106":107,"_108":109,"_110":111},"https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/Screenshot_2026-03-30_at_16.48.58.png","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_Screenshot_2026-03-30_at_16.48.58.png",[154],{"_32":155,"_57":156,"_59":157,"_61":158,"_63":64,"_65":159,"_67":160,"_69":161},55,"Kalem","Turner","Palmist","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/speaker_photos/Screenshot_2026-03-30_at_16.42.39.png","

Kalem Turner is a professional astrologer, tarot reader, and divination teacher based in Edinburgh. Known as Scotland’s top palmist and highest-reviewed astrologer, Kalem has guided thousands of clients worldwide with insightful readings, future predictions, and life advice. Kalem holds sessions in person and online for clients around the globe.

","Tarot, Palmistry & Astrology Edinburgh",{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":163,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},[164],{"_32":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70},{"_32":166,"_34":167,"_36":168,"_38":41,"_40":169,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":170,"_51":171,"_53":172,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},66,"Building Scotland: An Interview with Nick Sherrard","

Join serial entrepreneur James Varga alongside Label Sessions Managing Director Nick Sherrard as they explore how a shift toward the public sector could unlock fresh momentum for collaboration and innovation across Scotland.

","2026-04-09T18:30:00Z","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/Fuelling_the_new_space_economy_panel.JPG","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_Fuelling_the_new_space_economy_panel.jpg",[173,180],{"_32":174,"_57":175,"_59":176,"_61":177,"_63":64,"_65":178,"_67":64,"_69":179},58,"Nick","Sherrard","Managing Director","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/profile_photos/venture-cafe-edinburgh/2026/04/09/bf92fb4c5b6a4a4f8585661f41c4a8e8.jpeg","Label Sessions",{"_32":181,"_57":182,"_59":183,"_61":184,"_63":64,"_65":185,"_67":186,"_69":64},56,"James","Varga","Founder, Operator, and Strategic Advisor","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/speaker_photos/1699629555462.jpeg","

James Varga is a serial founder, operator, and strategic advisor helping ambitious tech businesses turn complex innovation into trusted commercial growth. With more than 25 years across fintech, identity, data, and technology, he builds the bridge between new ideas and real adoption, shaping strategy, positioning, partnerships, and routes to market where trust and execution matter most.

",{"_32":188,"_34":189,"_36":190,"_38":169,"_40":191,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":192,"_51":193,"_53":194,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},67,"Introduction to the Building Scotland Conversations","

Hear from James Varga as he shares the progress of the Building Scotland project and outlines what comes next.

","2026-04-09T18:35:00Z","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/Venture_Cafe_-_Launch_Event_-_Nov_2025_87_of_184_1dpz6wm.jpg","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_Venture_Cafe_-_Launch_Event_-_Nov_2025_87_of_184_1dpz6wm.jpg",[195],{"_32":181,"_57":182,"_59":183,"_61":184,"_63":64,"_65":185,"_67":186,"_69":64},{"_32":197,"_34":198,"_36":199,"_38":200,"_40":82,"_42":8,"_43":25,"_44":201,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":203,"_51":204,"_53":205,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},68,"Why Scotland? Building the Case Before Building the System","

Following on from the conversation led by James Varga, this interactive session invites you to take the conversation a step further and help shape what Scotland’s ecosystem is really building towards. Before strategies, programmes, or investment, we’ll explore key questions - from why Scotland and who it’s for, to where we can compete and how we turn strengths into real impact.

\r\n

Grab a post-it, share your perspective, and explore what others are thinking as we start to build a clearer, collective direction together.

","2026-04-09T18:50:00Z",{"_32":102,"_78":103,"_104":202},{"_32":102,"_106":107,"_108":109,"_110":111},"https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/Screenshot_2026-04-01_at_13.02.53.png","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/session_images/thumbnails/thumb_Screenshot_2026-04-01_at_13.02.53.png",[],"my_sessions",[208,210,215,218,222],{"_32":89,"_34":90,"_36":91,"_38":92,"_40":82,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":209,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},[],{"_32":145,"_34":146,"_36":147,"_38":129,"_40":148,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":211,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":151,"_51":152,"_53":213,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},{"_32":102,"_78":103,"_104":212},{"_32":102,"_106":107,"_108":109,"_110":111},[214],{"_32":155,"_57":156,"_59":157,"_61":158,"_63":64,"_65":159,"_67":160,"_69":161},{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":216,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},[217],{"_32":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70},{"_32":166,"_34":167,"_36":168,"_38":41,"_40":169,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":170,"_51":171,"_53":219,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},[220,221],{"_32":174,"_57":175,"_59":176,"_61":177,"_63":64,"_65":178,"_67":64,"_69":179},{"_32":181,"_57":182,"_59":183,"_61":184,"_63":64,"_65":185,"_67":186,"_69":64},{"_32":188,"_34":189,"_36":190,"_38":169,"_40":191,"_42":25,"_43":25,"_44":-5,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":192,"_51":193,"_53":223,"_71":8,"_72":73,"_74":64,"_75":64},[224],{"_32":181,"_57":182,"_59":183,"_61":184,"_63":64,"_65":185,"_67":186,"_69":64},"location",{"_32":102,"_227":228,"_229":230,"_231":64,"_232":233,"_234":235,"_236":237,"_238":64,"_239":240},"venue_name","Edinburgh Futures Institute","address_line_1","1 Lauriston Place","address_line_2","city","Edinburgh","country","GB","postal_code","EH3 9EF","state_region","google_map_point_url","https://www.google.com/maps/place/Edinburgh+Futures+Institute,+The+University+of+Edinburgh/@55.9447231,-3.1952571,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4887c7bfab78283f:0xdf101ed7f38fe64a!8m2!3d55.9447231!4d-3.1926822!16s%2Fg%2F11vd41gk62?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/event_images/Star_Helix_Innovator_Showcase_Networking.JPG","https://storage.googleapis.com/gatherus-app/event_images/thumbnails/thumb_Star_Helix_Innovator_Showcase_Networking.jpg","series_name","Thursday Gathering Edinburgh","is_checked_in",[247,248,249,250,251],{"_32":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70},{"_32":137,"_57":138,"_59":139,"_61":140,"_63":64,"_65":141,"_67":142,"_69":143},{"_32":174,"_57":175,"_59":176,"_61":177,"_63":64,"_65":178,"_67":64,"_69":179},{"_32":155,"_57":156,"_59":157,"_61":158,"_63":64,"_65":159,"_67":160,"_69":161},{"_32":181,"_57":182,"_59":183,"_61":184,"_63":64,"_65":185,"_67":186,"_69":64},"canonicalUrl","https://community.venturecafeedinburgh.org/sessions/64","ogImage","actionData","errors"]