Preparing for Grants & Funding: Innovate UK • AHRC • Horizon Europe

This practical business clinic is designed for ambitious Createch businesses preparing to scale, grow, and secure grant funding or investment.

Led by Martin Nwangwa, Senior Innovate and Growth Specialist at Innovate UK, the session will demystify major UK and international funding routes including Innovate UK, AHRC and Horizon Europe and provide expert insight into how funders assess innovation-led businesses.

Whether you are considering your first application or looking to strengthen future bids, this clinic will help you become funding-ready.

What you will learn

• How to prepare your business for grants, funding and investment
• What Innovate UK and UKRI funders are really looking for in strong applications
• Understanding Innovate UK funding streams and which routes suit different stages of growth
• How to position innovation, IP and commercial potential effectively
• Key considerations for internationalisation and cross-border funding, including Horizon Europe
• Common pitfalls in grant applications and how to avoid them

Key takeaways

• A clearer understanding of relevant funding routes and next steps
• Increased confidence in your funding and investment readiness
• Practical guidance to strengthen future grant applications
• Awareness of international funding and collaboration opportunities

Who this is aimed at

• SMEs and founders in the Createch sector
• Businesses planning to scale or grow
• Teams exploring Innovate UK-backed funding
• Organisations interested in international collaboration or expansion
• Businesses aiming to become more investment-ready

About the facilitator

Martin Nwangwa is a Senior Innovate and Growth Specialist at Innovate UK, supporting businesses to develop innovation-led growth strategies and access funding. He works closely with SMEs to help them strengthen commercial propositions, prepare for investment, and navigate UK and international funding opportunities.

Martin brings extensive experience working with ambitious businesses across creative, digital, and technology sectors, offering practical insight into what makes a compelling funding application.

What is CreaTech Frontiers? CreaTech Frontiers is a 5-year £7.2 million project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) establishing a West Midlands CreaTech ecosystem by funding collaborative R&D, supporting business innovation and developing skills and talent.

More details: https://createchfrontiers.com/