2026 TBAT Innovation Challenge

Workshop 2

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The 2026 TBAT Innovation Challenge is powered by Dains, with Headline Sponsor Shakespeare Martineau and Platinum Sponsor Barclays Eagle Labs.

Workshop 2: Developing, Protecting & Preparing to Grow

22nd April 2026 | 1:00 PM – 4:00PM 

Now that your idea has legs, the second IC26 workshop focuses on turning it into reality. Sponsored by Forresters, this workshop explores routes for early product development, the fundamentals of securing intellectual property, and how to bring in initial funding.

Attendees will learn what to consider when taking on their first staff members and how to structure shares and equity, so your business is built for long-term stability. This workshop is ideal for innovators ready to move from planning to building. 

This event is one of five interactive workshops, designed to support growing SMEs through the highs and lows of how to successfully innovate, grow, and succeed.  All of the workshops are open to the public with no requirement to apply to win The Innovation Challenge. To learn more about the application process, please click here.

 

Our Workshop 2 Speakers

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Daniel Gaize | Future Venture Capital
The Mini Investment Readiness (IRP): What it covers and how it prepares you for investment

Lewis Stringer | British Business Bank –  Understanding the British Business Bank: Equity, debt, and how to get ready

Dom Peasley | SPRK Capital Advanced Funding for R&D Tax Credits and Grant Funding: How it works and when to use it

Jagvir Purewal & Gregory Smith | Forresters Intellectual Property for Start-Ups

Harry Brooksbank | Nafura Advanced Technologies Founder Case Study

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Rhys Wyborn | Shakespeare MartineauEmploying Your First People: Contracts, Rights and Legal Responsibilities

Kay Mellor | Dains Group – HR Foundations for Growing Businesses

Esther Lawrence | TBAT Innovation Introduction to Grant Funding

Yasmin Dalton | TBAT InnovationR&D Tax Credits Explained

Sam Stephens | TBAT InnovationSEIS and EIS: How Early-stage Investment Incentives Work

Browse our workshops

Workshop 1 - From Idea to Initiative

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Workshop 3 - Investment, Traction & the Team

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Workshop 4 - The Launch & Scale Phase

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Workshop 5 - MedTech & Life Sciences

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