The 2025 Innovation Challenge is powered by TBAT Innovation, in partnership with Headline Sponsor Shakespeare Martineau and Platinum Sponsor Barclays Eagle Labs.
REGISTER HEREThis free-to-attend online workshop, sponsored by Modus Accountants, is tailored for SME leaders and entrepreneurs seeking expert guidance on finance and funding strategies to drive innovation and business growth. Delivered by industry specialists, it will address key financial considerations, funding options, and legal insights to help businesses navigate opportunities and challenges with confidence.
This event is one of four interactive workshops, designed to support growing SME’s through the highs and lows of how to successfully innovate, grow and succeed. All of the workshops are open to the public and free-to-attend, with no requirement to apply to The Innovation Challenge. If you would like to find out more about the application process, please click here.
The workshop will feature short presentations, Q&A sessions and include a comfort break.
Take a look at our workshop speakers and the topics they will be covering below.
CHAIR and Introduction to SEIS / EIS and Advanced Assurance
After establishing TBAT in 2002 as a consultancy catering to the SME sector, Sam led the company’s evolution into the innovation-centric enterprise it is today. TBAT now specialises in supporting companies throughout the entire new product and process innovation cycle. Sam began his career as a graduate and manufacturing engineer at Rolls-Royce Aerospace before transitioning to Rolls Royce and Associates as a Development and Project Engineer. Currently, Sam heads up the Business Development and R&D Tax Credits side of the business.
Visit Website
Introduction to Grant Funding
Esther became a member of TBAT in 2021, bringing with her more than two decades of experience in IT and electronics manufacturing and distribution. During this time, she gained valuable expertise in launching products and services into the market. At TBAT, she applies these skills to assist start-ups and scale-ups at the beginning of their journey in securing funding through R&D innovation grants and incentives, helping them develop new technologies and services.
Visit Website
Introduction to R&D Tax
Yasmin joined TBAT in 2022 from a previous senior R&D specialist role. Both of Yasmin’s degrees (BA/MA) relate to government policy and legislation and her key research interests are innovation, technology, and sovereignty policy. Over the last three years, Yasmin has worked with a variety of SMEs & LCs to secure R&D funding ranging from top government suppliers providing full life-cycle engineering and decarbonisation solutions for transport infrastructure to supporting small, Oxford-backed start-ups developing bioengineered stem cells as an alternative for islet cell transplantation.
Visit Website
Finance and funding options from a legal perspective and legal considerations when growing a business
Roger is a corporate lawyer who acts for clients doing great things all around the country and overseas. Roger advises clients on starting, buying and selling companies, taking or making investments in them, joint ventures and general company law. He also acts for banks and VCs and heads up the healthcare team, which advises social and primary care providers and medtech businesses.
Visit Website
Introducing the Barclays Demo Directory
Matt specialises in supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem with various tools such as mentoring, finding investment, programmes, banking and connecting you to specialists in his network. Whether it’s an idea or a scaling business the Barclays Eagle Labs can support you through your growth journey.
View Website
Accountancy, Business Plan and Cash Flow
Jenna Lloyd is a Director at Modus accountants, with over 15 years worth of experience in accountancy practices. Having joined Modus in 2019, Jenna brings a wealth of expertise to her role at the company and in 2022 achieved her ACCA Qualification. Throughout her career she has collaborated with numerous businesses across diverse industries, aiding them in achieving growth and optimising tax efficiency.
View Website
Fund the finance gap for R&D TC and Grant Funding
Rob is the Head of Distribution at Rocking Horse Group, who provide non-dilutive finance solutions to help businesses of all sizes and in every sector accelerate growth plans and innovate.
View Website
Fund the finance gap for R&D TC and Grant Funding
James is the Co-Founder of Rocking Horse Group, who provide non-dilutive finance solutions to help businesses of all sizes and in every sector accelerate growth plans and innovate. His previous roles include THS Partners in Investor Relations and Macquarie Group.
View Website
Debt and Equity Finance
The British Business Bank is the UK’s economic development bank. Our mission is to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK, and to enable the transition to a net zero economy, by improving access to finance for smaller businesses. The Bank delivers a series of debt and equity programmes across the UK supported by almost 250 Delivery Partners. Lewis Stringer joined the British Business Bank in October 2016 and currently works in the UK Network Team for the Bank as a Senior Manager, covering the East & South-East Midlands and supporting demand-side initiatives.
Visit Website
Developing your Value Proposition
In her current role, Alison supports health and care innovators to navigate the NHS. With 25 years’ experience as a Business Advisor in the medical and healthcare technologies sector, and as an independent Innovation Consultant for UK and EU Health Tech start-ups. Alison previously worked in the Healthcare Team at Innovate UK leading their Assisted Living and Digital Health Innovation Platform, and a member of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia Group. She has chaired the Biomedical Catalyst Funding Panel and assessed for the BMC, Innovate UK, NHS England, NESTA, and the UK Research Councils. Alison was also a Business Coach for Horizon 2020 EASME Framework Programme, and an Evaluator and Reviewer for EU Active & Assisted Living (AAL) Joint Programme.
Visit Website
Call 
Back
