Stages of Innovation and funding strategy
Event overview:
Join University of Northampton and Innovate UK Business Growth at Silverstone Innovation Park in Northamptonshire to gain insights into the stages of innovation and type of funding available at each stage.
The session will start by describing the key fundraising challenges for deep tech, biotech and life sciences and open to all businesses wishing to innovate.
Following on, it will explore approaches for startups in these sectors to better prepare themselves before fund raising – including structuring their commercialisation journey, identifying the right sources of funding, and asking for the right amounts at the right stage.
Finally, it provides an overview of a range of funders and what they look for in companies that they fund, invest, and support, including plans for spending the funds efficiently to hit development milestones.
Join Adam Lawton from University of Northampton and Arun Muthirulan, Innovate UK Business Growth Team Manager from Innovate UK Business Growth at the Silverstone Innovation Park in this exclusive workshop, which will provide practical guidance on developing your innovation one stage at a time, and resources for funding.
What you will learn:
Clarity about the stages in the innovation journey
Better understanding of funders objectives and priorities
Awareness of new, emerging types of funding options
Approaches to use the funds raised efficiently and effectively to reach key technical and commercial milestones.
Agenda:
10 – 10:15 Silverstone Innovation Park – venue collaborator introduction (10-15 minutes)
10:15 – 10:30 University of Northampton – event collaborator introduction (10-15 minutes)
10.30 – 11.30 IUKBG workshop (1h)
11.30 – 11.40 Q & A (10 minutes)
11.40 – 12 Networking (20 minutes)
Speakers:
Arun Muthirulan, Innovate UK Business Growth Team Manager,
Arun Muthirulan is an Innovation & Growth Team Manager within Innovate UK EDGE and a member of its National Group on Investment Readiness, tasked with supporting SMEs and early-stage companies to improve their chances of raising equity funding. Arun has supported 100+ SMEs and early-stage companies to innovate, grow and scale in local and international markets over a career of 30+ years. He is a regular speaker and panel member in events related to investment, fundraising and commercialisation and delivers workshops/webinars on funding and finance for innovation. Arun is an engineer by training and a graduate of Cambridge Judge Business school, with an MBA specialising in Entrepreneurship, Tech Commercialisation and Venture Capital.
Chantal-Lawren Welch, Marketing Manager, Silverstone Park | Founder, Women's Innovation Network (WIN)
Chantal-Lawren Welch as Marketing Manager at Silverstone Park—a leading UK innovation campus home to over 90 advanced engineering and tech businesses—I drive strategic growth and brand engagement across the community. I'm also the founder of the Women’s Innovation Network (WIN), which empowers women in industry to connect, lead, and inspire. With a background spanning marketing, communications, and retail, I’m passionate about storytelling that builds authentic, people-centred brand experiences.
Adam Lawton , University of Northampton Regional Business Engagement Officer
Adam Lawton is a Regional Business Engagement Officer at the University of Northampton. Adam connects local and regional businesses, public bodies, and academic teams, positioning the University of Northampton as a partner for business growth and innovation. Adam’s team provides support that helps businesses, organisations, and charities access business services, skills development opportunities, and research expertise—demonstrating the practical benefits of collaborating with the university.
About Innovate UK Business Growth:
Innovate UK Business Growth is Innovate UK’s national business growth and scaling service. It is an integral part of the innovation agency’s products and services portfolio.
The service is available to all established small to medium sized innovation-focused growth companies, including Innovate UK grant winners.
Innovate UK Business Growth accelerates its ambitious clients on their growth journeys with one-to-one support from over 450 innovation and growth specialists and scaleup directors embedded in every UK region and nation. Their tailored, expert advice helps thousands of businesses sharpen their commercial strategies, realise the maximum value from their IP, raise game changing investment and take their businesses onto the global stage every year.
About Silverstone Park – ‘the business campus for future innovation’
Silverstone Park is the technology and advanced engineering campus that’s defining our futures…
Building on Silverstone Park’s global reputation in the fields of technology and advanced engineering, our unique campus of innovation helps to maximise productivity for the 90+ businesses that call it home.
Equipped with world-class specialist facilities, Silverstone Park offers opportunities to work alongside like-minded innovators, in a globally renowned, centrally located environment.
About University of Northampton:
The University of Northampton is an economic engine and a force for social change for the county, the region, and the UK. Our latest Economic Impact Report revealed for every £1 spent running the University, £4 is returned to the economy – a 400% return on investment. We are passionate about working with businesses and partner organisations to support and drive forward the priorities of Northamptonshire and beyond and are here to help provide solutions to the challenges faced by business of any size.
FAQ:
Is there parking?
Silverstone Park – ‘the business campus for future innovation’
Innovation Centre, Silverstone Park, Silverstone, NN12 8GX.
Parking is available at the Innovation Centre
Will we be able to ask questions during the workshop?
Yes, you can ask questions during the workshop, or alternatively our speakers will share their contact details for more specific questions related to your innovation journey.