Dr Deepshikha, from the School of Engineering and Materials Science at Queen Mary University of London, has been selected as a finalist for the MassChallenge UK 2026 Accelerator Programme through her education technology venture, EduGrade AI Ltd. The company was chosen following a highly competitive international selection process.

The recognition highlights the potential of EduGrade AI to transform assessment and feedback in higher education through responsible, educator-led artificial intelligence.

MassChallenge UK supports high-potential startups with expert mentoring, industry connections and investor engagement through a structured programme designed to help founders scale their impact. As a finalist, EduGrade AI will gain access to corporate partners, mentors, investors, and a global innovation community, as well as opportunities to compete for non-dilutive funding and in-kind support.

EduGrade AI builds on Dr Deepshikha's wider research at Queen Mary into AI-supported assessment and feedback, which focuses on personalised feedback, rubric-based assessment, assessment literacy and the responsible adoption of generative AI. The platform has been designed with a strong emphasis on human oversight, fairness, transparency and institutional trust.

"Being selected as a MassChallenge UK finalist is a tremendous validation of our mission to put educators at the centre of AI-supported assessment," said Dr Deepshikha. "I look forward to working with the programme's mentors and partners to bring fairer, more transparent feedback to students and staff across higher education."

Through the programme, EduGrade AI will continue developing its platform, deepen its engagement with mentors and partners, and explore opportunities to support universities and educators across the UK and internationally.

The selection reflects Queen Mary's growing contribution to innovation in education, digital assessment and responsible AI practice.