TBAT Innovation Challenge 2026 Launches for UK Innovators

TBAT Innovation Challenge 2026 Launches to Support the UK’s Most Ambitious Innovators

The TBAT Innovation Challenge 2026, by Dains in partnership with Headline Sponsor Shakespeare Martineau and Platinum Sponsor Barclays Eagle Labs, is now open, offering ambitious businesses across the UK a unique opportunity to advance their innovation journey.

More than a competition, the TBAT Innovation Challenge is a structured, supportive programme designed to champion forward-thinking businesses at every stage of development. From early-stage entrepreneurs to established companies driving new technologies, the Challenge provides expert guidance, valuable exposure, and significant funding to help turn innovative ideas into commercial success.

A Programme Built to Support Innovation

The Innovation Challenge 2026 begins with a series of five free, expert-led online workshops, running from March to July. The workshops are designed to support innovative businesses at different stages of development, offering practical guidance to help founders strengthen their ideas, refine their propositions, and plan for growth.

The workshop programme is open to all businesses at no cost. Participants can choose to join individual workshops or attend the full series, making the programme accessible and flexible for busy founders.

Following the workshop series, businesses will be invited to enter the Innovation Challenge competition by completing a short application form and submitting supporting documents. Importantly, entry is open to all eligible businesses, regardless of whether they attended the workshops.

Explore our full workshop series

Who Can Enter the Innovation Challenge Competition Stage?

The competition is open to a wide range of innovators, including:

• Start-ups: UK businesses three years old or younger
• Established UK businesses over three years old that are still heavily involved in R&D or introducing new technology
• Aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to launch a business in the UK
• Technology-based businesses offering innovative products or services across any sector

Whether you’re refining a breakthrough technology or preparing to bring a new solution to market, the Challenge is designed to meet businesses where they are.

Finalist Showcase and Judging

Once the workshops have taken place, UK-registered businesses can apply to win the competition stage of the programme by filling out a straightforward application and submitting supporting documents. Our shortlisted Top 10 finalists will pitch live at our Finalist Showcase in October, where a winner and two runners-up will be announced.

This high-energy event brings founders together with industry leaders, investors, and innovation experts. Finalists will present their businesses live, culminating in the announcement of one overall winner and two runners-up.

The winner will be chosen by our panel of judges on the night, made up of UK industry experts.

A Prize Package Designed for Growth

The overall winner of the TBAT Innovation Challenge 2026 will receive a £50,000 cash prize to invest in R&D* (full terms and conditions apply), supported by Kappika Ventures and Pera, alongside access to a £95,000 comprehensive support package provided by TBAT Innovation and our partners.

Two runners-up will also receive a £5,000 cash prize, in addition to a tailored support package, from the £95,000 prize fund.

This support package is shared across the top three finalists, with each business receiving a bespoke package tailored to its specific goals, challenges, and stage of development. This ensures meaningful, high-impact support where it matters most.

New for 2026, the Rising Star Award, sponsored by Sequel Consultants, recognises a business with strong potential that is not yet ready to advance to our top 10, with the winner receiving a £1,000 cash prize.

View our full prize fund package

Previous winners A&B Smart Materials highlight the real-world value of the Challenge:

“A&B Smart Materials was honoured to receive the TBAT Innovation Challenge award, which recognised the strong progress we had made over recent months. The cash prize came at an ideal time, just ahead of the close of our £1.5m pre-seed fundraise, and provided valuable momentum as we entered our next phase of growth.”
Amaury Van Trappen, CEO & Co-Founder, A&B Smart Materials

Get Involved

Whether you’re looking to develop your innovation capability, gain expert insight, or compete for significant funding and support, the TBAT Innovation Challenge 2026 offers a clear pathway to growth.

Register for the workshops, learn more about our sponsors, or prepare to apply for the Challenge today.

*Full prize fund T&Cs apply