Smart Data Foundry was established in 2022 as a subsidiary of the University of Edinburgh, and was based within the university’s Edinburgh Futures Institute.

The company’s aim was to use anonymised private sector financial data for public benefit through data sharing, research and analytics services.  

Smart Data Foundry worked with financial organisations including NatWest Group and Sage as data partners, and its research partnerships included Smart Data Research UK and Research Data Scotland. Financial data shared by the company was used to inform research on issues such as homelessness, economic wellbeing and fuel poverty.

Michelle Elliot and Callum Carmichael of specialist business advisory firm FRP Advisory were appointed as joint administrators of the company on 28^th August 2026. Smart Data Foundry ceased trading following the appointment of the administrators, and 25 employees were made redundant.

The company experienced increasing financial pressure during 2026 due to a ‘funding shortfall and ongoing cash flow constraints’, according to a statement from its administrators.

The company was ultimately unable to meet its financial obligations, and the directors took steps to place the company into administration. The administrators have retained five employees for a short period to assist in preserving and safeguarding the company’s assets. 

Administrators confirmed that they are assessing the firm’s intellectual property, which they are looking to sell in order to pay debts.

Michelle Elliot, partner at FRP and joint administrator, said: “The directors and management team worked hard over an extended period to secure a sustainable solution for the business, exploring a range of options before the company entered administration.

“Smart Data Foundry has made significant efforts to demonstrate how financial data can be used to support economic wellbeing objectives, including helping to address poverty and inequality.

“Our immediate focus is on supporting affected employees and preserving the value of the company’s intellectual property. We are now exploring opportunities to realise value from the assets for the benefit of creditors and encourage any interested parties to contact us.”