The 2026 TBAT Innovation Challenge
The TBAT Innovation Challenge is back for 2026 - and OPD is once again proud to be involved as the Design Award Sponsor and contributor to this standout programme for early-stage UK innovators.
- Wed 7 Oct 2026
- The British Motor Museum, Gaydon
A national innovation programme - and why we’re proud to be part of it again.
The TBAT Innovation Challenge 2026 is now open for applications - and OPD is proud to return as Design Award Sponsor and contributor to this standout programme for UK innovators.
For businesses developing technology-led products, services or solutions with real-world impact, IC26 offers the chance to access funding, expert support, industry exposure and valuable connections across the UK innovation ecosystem.
Applications close on 12 August 2026 at 11:59pm.
Why OPD Supports the Challenge
As a design consultancy focused on delivering better products through better thinking, OPD works with teams from concept to market - helping them avoid wasted time and make decisions with confidence.
The Innovation Challenge aligns perfectly with that mission. It’s a programme that lifts the lid on what real support can look like - and opens doors for founders who might not otherwise access these networks.
We're proud to share our expertise, amplify innovation that deserves to be seen, and champion the role of design in building smarter solutions.
Applications are now open
If you’re building a technology-based product or service, IC26 is a valuable opportunity to gain support, visibility and momentum.
The application form takes around 15–20 minutes to complete and asks for key information about your business, proposition or project. Applicants will also need to submit supporting documentation in the form of a business plan or investor pitch deck.
Applications close on 12 August 2026 at 11:59pm, with the Top 10 finalists announced on 4 September 2026 ahead of the Finalist Showcase on 7 October 2026.
OPD’s Role in IC26
As a returning sponsor, we’re involved across the programme in several ways:
- Sponsoring and judging the Design Award, which includes a tailored £5,000 consultancy package
- Presenting at two workshops, sharing insight from our New Product Science™ process
- Judging across the full Challenge awards, including the £50,000 grand prize
- Engaging with founders throughout the programme, from early workshops to the Finalist Showcase
Our goal is to bring strategic clarity and product rigour to the process - and to help teams make smarter, sharper decisions through design.
The Prize Package (and the OPD Design Award)
This year’s Innovation Challenge offers a prize fund worth over £155,000, including:
- £50,000 Grand Prize
- Two £5,000 Runner-Up Awards
- £1,000 Rising Star Award
- £95,000+ in tailored business support for the top three
OPD sponsors and selects the Design Award winner - a prize that recognises standout design thinking and execution. The winner receives a £5,000 consultancy package, which can be used however best supports their product’s next steps - from design validation and testing to prototyping, concept development or strategy.
Last year’s winners, Boost Innovations, used their prize for specialist testing - and we’re proud to have played a part in their growth. Read their story
OPD at the IC26 Workshop Series
As part of the 2026 TBAT Innovation Challenge, OPD is contributing to two of the five expert-led workshops in the programme.
These sessions are designed to help founders and SMEs strengthen their innovation journey - from early ideation through to investment readiness and growth.
Our contribution focuses on what we know best: applying structured product thinking, reducing risk early, and helping teams make better decisions before committing time and budget.
We’ll be presenting in:
- Workshop 1 – From Idea to Initiation
- Workshop 3 – Investment, Traction and The Team
Workshop 1 – From Idea to Initiation
- 18 March 2026 | Online
Workshop 1 sets the foundation for the Innovation Challenge series, helping early-stage businesses shape, test and refine their ideas before investing heavily in development.
The wider session explores customer problem definition, competitor and cost analysis, early validation, and building a credible foundation for growth.
OPD’s Contribution
As part of this session, Matt Berry, Senior Design Consultant at OPD, will present:
From Problem to Solution: Structured Ideation, Testing Options, and Selecting What to Pursue
Matt’s session focuses on one of the most critical early decisions in product development: what to pursue - and why.
Drawing on OPD’s New Product Science approach, he’ll explore how to:
- Define the real problem worth solving
- Generate solution routes in a structured way
- Compare and evaluate options objectively
- Use early testing to reduce technical and commercial risk
For founders and technical teams alike, this clarity can prevent misdirection and build confidence before moving into development.
Workshop 3 – Investment, Traction and The Team
- 20 May 2026 | Online
Workshop 3 focuses on one of the most challenging transitions in any innovation journey: moving from a validated idea to a scalable, investment-ready business.
The wider session explores topics such as funding strategy, building traction, strengthening leadership capability, and preparing for sustainable growth.
OPD’s Contribution
For this session, Simon Collings, Head of Medical at OPD, will share insight into the second phase of the product development journey - where structured engineering, validation and team capability become critical.
Building on the foundations set in Workshop 1, Simon will explore:
- Transitioning from concept into robust product development
- Designing with investment and regulatory expectations in mind
- Strengthening technical credibility before scaling
- Aligning product decisions with commercial strategy
This stage is where many promising ideas either gain momentum - or stall. OPD’s contribution will focus on how disciplined product development and cross-functional thinking can help founders build confidence with investors, partners and customers alike.
Want to know more?
Applications for the TBAT Innovation Challenge 2026 are now open.
Whether you’re an early-stage startup, an aspiring entrepreneur or an established organisation developing new technology, IC26 is designed to help ambitious innovators take the next step through funding, expert support and industry recognition.
- Apply now
- Explore IC26
- View the application process
- Register for workshops
