Event details
The 2026 Innovation Funding Playbook Webinar
Summary
Essex Growth Agency, in partnership with ForrestBrown, invites businesses to a practical and timely webinar exploring how to fund innovation in 2026.
- Date
- 24/02/2026, 10:00 to 10:45
- Organiser
- Essex Growth Agency & ForrestBrown
Description
2026 brings renewed focus and fresh opportunities for innovation funding. This session will help businesses understand how to plan, sequence and combine different incentives and funding sources as they scale.
What the session will cover:
✅ R&D tax relief under the new merged scheme – including advance notification requirements and how to assess eligibility
✅ Current and upcoming grant opportunities, and when innovation loans can be used to bridge funding gaps
✅ Patent Box explained – how companies with patented IP can unlock significant tax reductions
✅ How incentives apply at different stages of growth, and how to combine them strategically for maximum impact
The webinar is designed for innovative SMEs and scale-ups looking to take a more joined-up, confident approach to innovation funding.
Speakers:
Karim Budabuss CEng Director – Grant Advisory, ForrestBrown Formerly leading decarbonisation grant advisory at a Big Four firm, Karim brings deep expertise in national and international grant funding.
Rex Orcajada Innovation Advisory Partner, ForrestBrown With a background in life science research, Rex supports innovative businesses to align funding with technology development and commercial ambition.
🔹 Plus: an overview of the King’s Award for Enterprise delivered by Emma Curtis (Sector Growth & Skills Lead - Essex Growth Agency)
Who should attend: Innovative businesses, founders, finance leads, and growth-focused teams
Venue/Location
Online
Contact details
- Email:
- gareth.heard@essex.gov.uk