Applications Open for the TBAT Innovation Challenge 2025

The TBAT Innovation Challenge, now open for entries, is supported by headline sponsor Shakespeare Martineau and platinum sponsor Barclays Eagle Labs. This annual competition offers a unique opportunity for UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gain expert support, raise their profile, and fast-track their innovation and growth journey.

Eligible businesses can apply by completing a simple application form on our website. The application form will take 15-20 minutes and asks key business questions. In addition, you are required to upload a pitch deck or business plan.

So, what is the Innovation Challenge?

Run by TBAT Innovation Ltd, the Innovation Challenge is designed to spotlight and support the UK’s most promising and disruptive companies.

The 2025 winner will receive a £10,000 cash prize, along with access to a £80,000 support package. Two runners-up will also receive access to the £80k prize package, with the winning packages each being specifically tailored to the needs of the business.

👉 Click here for full application details

The prize package includes services such as:

• First-year accounts prepared free of charge

• An in-depth intellectual property (IP) audit

• A tailored business wealth programme

• Legal support

• A free exhibition stand in the Start-Up Zone at Med-Tech Innovation Expo

• Three months’ free coworking space at Oxford Barclays Eagle Labs

👉 Click here for the full prize package details

The competition is open to a wide range of applicants across the UK, including:

• Start-ups trading for three years or less

• Established businesses still heavily engaged in R&D or introducing new technologies

• Aspiring entrepreneurs looking to launch a UK-based business

All applicants must be developing or delivering a technology-based product or service that demonstrates innovation and has the potential to create real impact in their industry.

The Top 10 finalists will be invited to pitch live at the TBAT Innovation Challenge Finalist Showcase, on October 15th, where a winner will be crowned. At the showcase, they’ll present their innovation to a room full of investors, partners, and members of the wider innovation network.

When reflecting on the Innovation Challenge, 2024 winner David Adlam of Intervent Cardio said:

“For Intervent Cardio Ltd., participating and then winning the Innovation Challenge 2024 has proven to be transformatory for our company. The event massively raised the profile of our company allowing us to vastly extend our network and ensuring we have the right partners, investors, and advisors in place to support our next key steps as a company. The prize has been absolutely critical to supporting our mission to deliver the PAL balloon support device into emergency heart patients who so urgently need better treatment options.”

Applications close on the 13th August 2025, at 11.59pm. Don’t miss your chance to share your great ideas and take your innovation to the next level!

If you have any questions regarding this year’s Innovation Challenge, please email jor@tbat.co.uk