Paula Smith

I have over 12 years’ experience in grant writing, specialising in securing support across European Horizon and Innovate UK programmes. I genuinely enjoy the constant discovery that comes with working alongside new clients each with their own ground breaking innovations and technologies.

Before moving into consultancy, I worked directly with the founders of two early‑stage technology companies: one developing electrolyser systems and the other creating novel biomedical polymers. These roles gave me first‑hand insight into the realities of commercialising emerging technologies—from deep‑tech R&D challenges, to fundraising, grant applications, and hands‑on project management.

My career began in the City firstly as a property market analyst and then as an equity analyst, a foundation that strengthened my analytical thinking and my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

Outside of work, I’m discovering a new chapter as my two sons head out on their own adventures. With a quieter house, I finally have a little more time to indulge in my never-ending garden design experiments and the house renovation projects that I always promise will be “the last one”.