NEXT BIG THING?

THE START-UP PITCH CHALLENGE

Friday 16 October 2026 | MK Tech Week Finale

Got an idea that’s bold, disruptive, or could become the next big thing?

Whether it’s a fledgling concept, a working prototype, or an early-stage business you’re building, this is your opportunity to pitch it in front of some of the most connected and influential people in the Milton Keynes tech community.

As the grand finale event of MK Tech Week 2026, we’re looking for ambitious founders, entrepreneurs and innovators ready to share their vision, gain valuable feedback, make meaningful connections, and take their next step.

WHY ENTER?

Get your idea in front of influential tech leaders, founders and potential investors
Receive honest feedback that could help shape your next move
Raise the profile of your start-up, product or concept and the entrepreneurial talent behind it
Connect with people who could open the right doors, offer support, or become future collaborators
Access a prize package worth up to £12,500*, including mentoring, innovation expertise, and practical business support from TC Group, Hooper Quinn, Barclays Eagle Labs, Inond®, and angel investor, Jeremy Hindle
Become part of a growing community shaping the future of technology in Milton Keynes
Gain exposure and reach through the event’s official media partner, Business MK and other regional press

APPLY HERE

HOW IT WORKS

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to take part in the live final pitch event on Friday 16 October at x+why, Unity Place, Milton Keynes, 5pm-8.30pm.

Each finalist will:

Share the story behind their business, product or idea in a concise 5-minute pitch to a panel of judges
Answer questions from the panel and bring their vision, ambition and potential impact to life

At the end of the evening, our judges will select:

Winner
Runner-Up
Highly Commended

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We’re looking for:

Early-stage tech start-ups
Aspiring founders with innovative ideas
Entrepreneurs developing new products, services or technologies
Problem-solvers tackling real-world challenges through innovation

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a short application outlining:

Your current stage (idea, prototype, launched, scaling etc.)
How many employees does your business currently have? (if applicable)
Summary of your business or idea
The problem you’re seeking to solve
Why it matters
What makes it distinctive
What impact could your idea/business have in the next 5 years?
Attach any website/social media links, demo, pitch deck or supporting materials (optional)
Contact details and when’s best to reach you

Applications close on Friday 2 October. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 7 October 2026

APPLY HERE

THE PRIZES

Up to £12,500* of expert mentoring, innovation support and business growth expertise up for grabs.

This isn’t just about winning a trophy. It’s about gaining access to experienced founders, investors, innovators and business leaders who can help turn your idea into reality.

We’ve designed tailored prize packages to give ambitious entrepreneurs practical support, expert guidance and valuable connections that can make a genuine difference as they develop and grow their business.

Before the live final, all shortlisted finalists will receive:

One hour of dedicated pitch coaching and preparation mentoring from Barclays Eagle Labs (valued at £250 per hour)
The opportunity to showcase their idea to investors, founders, business leaders and technology professionals
Exposure through MK Tech Week and the wider Milton Keynes technology community

The WINNER can choose from one of two headline prizes:

Option 1: Product realisation with Inond®, a day onsite developing prototypes with Hooper Quinn, three hours of mentoring from Barclays Eagle Labs, and one year of R&D Tax Credit advice preparation and submission with TC Group

Dedicated product realisation support and innovation guidance from Benn Klewpatinond, Founder of Inond®, helping you navigate the journey from concept to commercial opportunity.
A full day with Hooper Quinn’s engineering and innovation specialists, exploring your concept, testing ideas and gaining practical insight into product development and prototyping (worth £2,000 exc. VAT).
Three additional hours of personalised mentoring and business growth support from Barclays Eagle Labs (valued at £750).
One year’s complimentary R&D Tax Credit advice, preparation and submission support. TC Group’s specialist R&D team will help identify qualifying innovation activity and manage the advice, preparation and submission process, helping your business maximise available relief opportunities (valued at up to £8,000**).

Option 2: Mentoring with Jeremy Hindle on Y combinator and funding, plus three hours of mentoring from Barclays Eagle Labs and one year of R&D Tax Credit advice preparation and submission with TC Group

Exclusive mentoring with angel investor, tech founder and Y Combinator alumnus Jeremy Hindle, covering areas such as fundraising, scaling a business, product strategy and founder growth (worth £2,000 exc. VAT). Insight and guidance from someone who’s built, scaled, invested in and advised hundreds of high-growth businesses.
Three additional hours of personalised mentoring and business growth support from Barclays Eagle Labs (valued at £750).
One year’s complimentary R&D Tax Credit advice, preparation and submission support. TC Group’s specialist R&D team will help identify qualifying innovation activity and manage the advice, preparation and submission process, helping your business maximise available relief opportunities (valued at up to £8,000**).

The RUNNER-UP will receive:

The alternative headline prize package (option 1 or 2), whichever is not selected by the winner, including one year’s complimentary R&D Tax Credit advice, preparation and submission support from TC Group.

The HIGHLY COMMENDED will receive:

Valuable recognition from our judging panel and enhanced visibility among Milton Keynes’ business, technology and innovation communities, helping raise awareness of your idea, business or innovation.

*Prize package value is based on the selected prize option and is subject to availability, eligibility criteria and individual provider terms and conditions.

**R&D Tax Credit advice, preparation and submission support is valued at up to £8,000 and is subject to qualifying R&D activity being identified and approved by TC Group’s R&D Compliance Lead in accordance with current legislation and HMRC guidance.

MEET YOUR HOST

Felix Medd – Director, Head of R&D TC Group

Felix Medd leads TC Group’s dedicated R&D team, helping innovative businesses unlock valuable funding and maximise investment in research and development.

With extensive experience supporting companies across software, manufacturing, defence and financial services, Felix has built a reputation for helping businesses navigate complex R&D legislation and compliance requirements. Throughout his career, he’s developed extensive enquiry defence and compliance expertise, having successfully defended tens of millions of pounds in R&D claims under enquiry.

He now uses this experience to drive increasing standards and quality of claims for TC Group’s clients, and in the sector more widely.

Combining technical expertise with a strong commercial background, Felix is passionate about supporting ambitious founders and helping innovative ideas realise their full potential.

Connect with Felix on LinkedIn

MEET THE PANELLISTS

Owen Moran – Ecosystem Manager, Barclays UK

Owen Moran works with ambitious founders and high-growth businesses through Barclays Eagle Labs, helping entrepreneurs access the support, networks and expertise they need to scale.

With extensive experience in leadership, transformation and innovation, Owen’s passionate about championing the UK’s start-up ecosystem and supporting businesses as they turn great ideas into sustainable growth. His understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing early-stage businesses makes him a valuable voice on the panel.

Connect with Owen on LinkedIn

Stephen Henson – Associate Director, Client Services, TC Group

With more than 38 years’ experience supporting businesses across Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire and the wider South Midlands region, Stephen Henson’s passionate about helping SMEs grow, innovate and succeed.

As Associate Director, Client Services at TC Group, Stephen works closely with owner-managed businesses across sectors including advanced manufacturing, engineering, high-performance technology, motorsport, aerospace and medical technology. Throughout his career, he’s built an extensive network across the business ecosystem and developed a reputation for connecting ambitious businesses with the expertise, funding and opportunities they need to thrive.

A long-standing champion of regional innovation and collaboration, Stephen serves as a Board Member of the South Midlands Business Board, an Ambassador for the Silverstone Technology Cluster, and is a passionate advocate of the South Midlands Growth Hub. He also supports the Growth Hub as a member of its Grant Review Panel, helping businesses access funding and opportunities for growth.

Combining decades of commercial experience with a deep understanding of the challenges facing growing businesses, Stephen brings valuable insight, connections and practical advice to the judging panel.

Connect with Stephen on LinkedIn

Benn Klewpatinond – Founder, Innovation & Product Realisation Partner, Inond®

Benn Klewpatinond’s an award-winning founder, inventor and product realisation partner who helps businesses transform ideas into viable products and commercial opportunities.

As Founder and Innovation Partner at Inond®, Benn works with start-ups, established businesses and research organisations to identify opportunities, develop products and navigate the journey from initial concept through to manufacture and market launch. His hands-on approach has helped innovators overcome technical, commercial and production challenges to bring new ideas to life.

Benn’s also the inventor of FloatRower, an innovative fitness product now used in David Lloyd Clubs. Having successfully developed, commercialised and launched his own invention, he has first-hand experience of the realities involved in turning an idea into a successful product.

Alongside supporting product development and innovation programmes, Benn advises founders and leadership teams on innovation strategy, commercialisation and business growth. A regular speaker and panellist on entrepreneurship, manufacturing and product development, Benn brings valuable insight into what it takes to transform a great idea into a market-ready success.

Connect with Benn on LinkedIn

Jeremy Hindle – Angel Investor | Tech Founder | Y Combinator Alumni

Jeremy Hindle’s a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and product leader who has founded, scaled and exited multiple technology businesses.

As part of the first ever Y Combinator AI group in summer 2017, Jeremy has world-leading experience building high-growth start-ups and navigating the journey from concept to successful exit in an AI-first world. Today, he’s invested in more than 120 Y Combinator companies and coaches some of the world’s most exciting founders whilst still operating his own companies.

With expertise spanning AI, software, gaming, biotech, open source software and emerging technologies, Jeremy brings invaluable insight into building a venture-backed business in this era of start-ups.

Connect with Jeremy on X

Greg Edwards – Founder, Hooper Quinn

An engineer, innovator and entrepreneur, Greg founded Hooper Quinn to bring elite engineering talent together around ambitious challenges requiring pace, precision and creative thinking.

Under Greg’s leadership, Hooper Quinn’s become a trusted innovation partner for organisations operating at the forefront of sectors including Formula One, clean energy, marine technology and advanced manufacturing. Passionate about rapid product development and breakthrough innovation, Greg understands what it takes to transform great ideas into real-world solutions.

Connect with Greg on LinkedIn

APPLY TO PITCH

Pitch your idea to industry leaders to compete for a prize package worth up to £12,500, gain valuable feedback, grow your profile and build connections that could accelerate your next opportunity.

Get your application in today!

APPLY HERE