After our 5 workshops have taken place, businesses are invited to apply to win the overall Innovation Challenge. The winner will receive a £50,000 cash prize to invest in R&D* and access to a £95,000 prize support package.
The support package below will be split between the top 3 finalists, with each individual prize package being tailored to the specific needs of the business.
If you would like further details on applying for the Innovation Challenge, please click here.
In addition to tailored support from our partner network, the Innovation Challenge winner will secure a £50,000 cash prize to invest in R&D* to power the next stage of their business journey.
Please note: Funds will be available to the winner within 30 days of the award, subject to completion of an R&D Services and Warrant Agreement. Cash 80% up front, with 20% reserved for completion.
In addition to support packages from our partner network, the winner of the Rising Star Award, sponsored by Sequel Consultants, will receive a £1,000 cash prize aimed at assisting with their business expenses.
In addition to support packages from our partner network, the two runners-up of the overall Innovation Challenge competition will each receive a £5,000 cash prize aimed at assisting with their business expenses.
Expert legal support to build strong foundations, protecting ideas, shaping contracts, and reducing risk, empowering founders to grow confidently and build scalable, successful businesses.
Barclays Eagle Labs & Innovation Banking Team –
A personalised executive coaching programme from Barclays Eagle Labs to help founders strengthen leadership, navigate growth challenges, attract investment and lead high-performing teams with confidence as they scale
From identifying the most appropriate funding opportunities to crafting and reviewing your application, our Grant Funding team can provide comprehensive support.
Professional accounting support from Dains to manage your first year of accounts, stay organised and compliant, and gain clear financial insight to support confident business growth.
Forresters will provide a detailed IP Audit, which can be tailored for the winner’s needs. The IP Audit may include reviewing the winner’s IP portfolio against its business strategy and technology plans to formulate a clear IP strategy with detailed recommendations and actions for increasing the value of the winner’s IP.
A full day with a CFO to review your business finances and develop a forward-looking plan.
A full-day HR session focused on reviewing your people practices and planning for the future.
Rhodes Wealth Management has been helping business owners for over 19 years, advising on wealth structuring, Tax Efficient Profit Extraction (from the business), exit strategy planning, investment readiness tailored to high-growth clients, and making sure their plans aren’t derailed by injury, illness, or death. They will arrange an initial, no-obligation meeting to explore how the Rhodes team can help your business.
A high-impact booster shot of design, innovation, and engineering services to accelerate your product development and help you deliver real business outcomes.
A full-day regulatory workshop from Sotas, delivering expert guidance on medical device compliance, regulatory strategy, and market access to accelerate your innovation’s success.
Waived upfront fee on Sprk’s Advanced Innovation Funding Service for the IC26 winner, plus a 20% discount on fees for the remaining finalists.
3–5 days of tailored engineering support, including product design advice, manufacturing and supply chain review, and bill of materials optimisation, aligned to the prize-winning company’s needs.
On-site business development workshop for the management team, to help shape a sales and marketing plan for the winning business, along with any suitable introductions to our network.
A highly valuable session helping innovators craft clear, compelling pitches that balance story, numbers, and customer insights within short pitch formats that investors actually engage with. This session will support our Top 10 Finalists ahead of their Finalist Showcase pitch.
Med-Tech Expo is firmly positioned as the UK and Ireland’s leading event for medical device manufacturing. The event brings together leaders, engineers, innovators, and manufacturers, connecting them with technology and innovation to facilitate the design and manufacture of life changing medical devices.
EMBS Talent’s blended, hybrid approach to recruitment offers business owners, hiring managers and in house teams new imaginative talent services that are not available anywhere else. Their Talent Partners have a deep, industry-lead knowledge base, ensuring they can source and deliver the UK’s best permanent, contract, and freelance resources. The winner of this prize will receive 5 days of free support.
Receive support from a leading PR consultancy, beginning with a discovery session and creation of a tailored PR strategy aligned to your business growth goals.
As part of the Innovation Challenge 2026 prize package, CPHI is offering the chance to win a spot on an Exhibition Stand in the Start-Up Zone at CPHI Milan 2026, taking place 06th-08th October 2026.
As part of the Innovation Challenge 2026 prize package, MedTech Makers Lab will be covering the accommodation and return flights to CPHI Milan. This prize is for one person only, and your business must be eligible for a spot at CPHI (as per the above prize offering)
3 days of Strategic Market Access and NHS procurement support.
Access to office hours covering the Pioneer Group accelerator programme, UK funding resources, the ecosystem support available, investment risks, and investment readiness.
Hands-on support from Health Innovation East Midlands, offering bespoke consultancy to help you navigate the NHS, refine your innovation, and progress towards real-world adoption.
A design-led offer to communicate your expertise, turn technical ideas into compelling stories. Creating a brand foundation that builds trust, loyalty, and community.
TBAT Innovation offers trusted end-to-end support for your business and innovation. With over 20+ years of experience in R&D Tax Credits and funding, explore our full range of services below.
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