Sam Stephens, Director – TBAT Innovation

CHAIR

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.

Ed Wright, Partner – Shakespeare Martineau

Licencing Out

Ed works with clients from all sectors on wide-ranging non-contentious contractual, IP, data protection and competition law issues. These sectors include healthcare/life sciences, sport, technology, media and communications. Ed primarily advises on the creation, ownership and exploitation of IP.  This includes licensing, R&D/technology transfer and agency, distribution, reselling and franchising arrangements. Ed also specialises in drafting and negotiating agreements governing IP licensing and the supply of goods and/or services.

Ed regularly presents and writes on topical contractual, commercial, data protection, IP and IT/software matters and is also recognised as a leading individual in Legal 500 2020.

Mariam Smith, Managing Director – Datalink Electronics Ltd

MBO Success Story

Mariam joined the company in 2010; she is a Management Accountant and has an MBA from Loughborough University. She joined the Board as Finance Director in 2019 and became the company’s Managing Director in January 2023. With over 14 years’ experience in the electronics manufacturing industry, including knowledge and expertise in low-medium volume and high technology sectors; Mariam went on to complete an MBO of the company in November 2023.

Christian Kumar, CEO & Managing Director – MedTech Makers Lab

Pitch Deck

Christian Kumar, a seasoned professional, transitioned from a successful career in investment banking to become a trailblazing innovator and lecturer. In 2019, he established the MedTech Makers Lab, pioneering pathways for global medical technology innovations to thrive in the Midlands. Christian imparts his expertise as an innovation management instructor at six universities spanning five countries and facilitates acceleration labs throughout the EU. His teachings cover strategic road mapping and funding strategies, empowering companies to navigate the dynamic landscape of innovation. With a passion for transforming ideas into reality, Christian Kumar continues to shape the future of MedTech and innovation worldwide. 

Daniel Gaize, Investment Associate – Midven

Mini IRP (Investment Readiness Programme)​

Daniel is an Investment Associate at Future Planet Capital, working within the regional SME investment team based in Birmingham supporting the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund. His role involves sourcing and executing new investments of up to £1m into early-stage ventures. 

Liam O’Neill, PR Consultant – CrowdPull

Public Relations 

A trained journalist who started out his career at a national newspaper before moving into the world of PR and marketing, Liam has worked with some of the largest automotive and technology brands in the business – notably working in-house and agency side with Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Ferrari, Lamborghini, AEHRA, Spotify, and RockarTech

David Adlam, Interim CEO and Chief Medical Officer – Intervent Cardio

Case Study & Innovation Challenge 2024 Winner​

Professor David Adlam is an interventional cardiologist. His day job for 20 years has been using medical devices to help his patients. This has included coronary stents, TAVI valves, pacemakers, defibrillators etc. One of the things David does is called primary angioplasty. This is where they take patients who are having a heart attack and use stents to re-open blockages in the coronary arteries. Unfortunately, in some patients suffering a heart attack, the heart is unable to pump enough to continue to adequately support the body. This situation is called cardiogenic shock. Despite all the developments and innovations, this remains a situation where their options are limited and often ineffective and outcomes for these patients are poor. Importantly they know that often the heart injury at the time of a heart attack is temporary (the heart muscle is stunned) and there is potential for recovery if the patient can be supported long enough, and medications introduced. It is this population who are the primary driver for David’s passionate interest in developing lifesaving technologies at Intervent Cardio.