NOW LAUNCHED: The 2025 TBAT Innovation Challenge

We’re delighted to announce the launch of The 2025 TBAT Innovation Challenge, an initiative aimed at supporting SMEs in their pursuit of innovation and sustainable growth. Developed by our dedicated team and supported by a network of key partners, the nine-month programme will equip businesses with the tools and insights they need to overcome innovation barriers and accelerate development.

The Innovation Challenge, powered by TBAT, with Headline Sponsor Shakespeare Martineau and Platinum Sponsor, Barclays Eagle Labs, will feature four dynamic free-to-attend online workshops, addressing critical topics essential for SMEs:

• Workshop 1, 19th March 2025 – How to Finance your Business: All you need to know to fund your business growth and innovation.
• Workshop 2, 23rd April 2025 – Building your Dream Team: Recruiting and retaining the best talent for your company.
• Workshop 3, 21st May 2025 – Product Development & Protection: Strategies for designing and safeguarding your innovation.
• Workshop 4, 25th June 2025 – Commercialisation & Exploitation: Successfully bringing your product to market and securing funding.

The workshops, which are open to all, are strategically designed to tackle common challenges that hinder research and development and delay product launches, ensuring participants gain practical, actionable solutions.

Following the workshop series, applications will open in June 2025 for businesses to submit detailed business plans for a chance to win the overall Innovation Challenge. The Top 10 finalists will be invited to participate in a Finalist Showcase event in October 2025, where they will pitch their innovations live to an audience of key investors, partners, and industry leaders. The winner will receive a £10,000 cash prize, plus a tailored support package, created from a £65,000 prize support fund. In addition, two runners-up will also receive tailored support packages from participating partners.

The full £65,000 support package is proudly backed by the below partners:
• Shakespeare Martineau
• Barclays Eagle Labs
• Modus Accountants
• Forresters IP
• Med-Tech Insights
• Bulb Studios
• EMBS
• OPD (Oxford Product Design)
• Crowd Pull
• Datalink Electronics
• Rocking Horse Group
• Conformance
• Concise HR
• Health Innovation East Midlands
• The CFO Centre
• IMed Consultancy
• Sequel Consultants

Sam Stephens, Founding Director of TBAT Innovation Ltd, expressed his enthusiasm for the Challenge, stating, “We’re thrilled to bring back the Innovation Challenge for a fourth year, and to join forces once again with our outstanding partners. This challenge is a unique opportunity to make a real impact in the SME community and reflects our commitment to nurturing innovation and fostering sustainable growth. It’s a business competition with a difference, not only does the winner receive a generous cash prize, they also receive a wealth of expert support from our partners. After the tremendous success of 2024, we can’t wait to see what incredible innovations the 2025 entries will bring.”

When speaking of the Innovation Challenge, Roger Harcourt, Partner at Shakespeare Martineau said “Over our three years as headline sponsor it’s been fantastic to see how TBAT Innovation has managed to grow the Challenge; both in terms of size and quality. We look forward to championing some more great businesses, catching up with previous finalists and welcoming Barclays Eagle Labs as a new sponsor.”

The Innovation Challenge is open to any UK SME looking to innovate and grow. Businesses do not need to have attended the workshops to apply, and there is no requirement to apply to win if you have attended a workshop. To be eligible for the prize package, applicants must be a UK-based SME with a sustainable business strategy, working on a disruptive hardware or software project.

Registration for the workshops and participation in The Innovation Challenge is free and companies are actively encouraged to take advantage of this programme and the support available.

About Shakespeare Martineau:
Shakespeare Martineau, part of Ampa and a certified B Corporation, provides a broad range of specialist legal services in sectors including energy, education, finance, healthcare, agriculture, charities, technology, and real estate. The firm employs over 1,200 people in multiple UK hubs, including London, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.
Headline Sponsor full details: CLICK HERE 

About Barclays Eagle Labs:
Barclays Eagle Labs is an entrepreneurial network supporting ambitious start-ups and scale-ups. Their mission is to connect the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through their networks, support and expertise, tailored learning, and programmes, to help businesses innovate and grow. They provide support to founders at the initial idea stage, starting up their new business and beyond. Full Platinum Sponsor details: CLICK HERE