BUSINESSES could be missing out on make-or-break grant money for their innovations because they “bamboozle” people with “tech-speak”, it is claimed.

The advice comes from a new business which has launched a programme to help people master grant applications, thought to be the first of its kind in the country.

Innovaction Global, a consultancy owned and run by Monika Dabrowska, teaches participants how to create successful applications.

She said: “Too many companies bamboozle grant reviewers with tech-speak, acronyms and impenetrable data – no wonder so many applications fail, however worthy.

“Tens of millions of pounds of grants are available to businesses and some of these could be make-or-break for companies which have strong commercial ideas but few cash reserves to turn ideas into the next big thing, such a life-saving wearable technology,” she added.

Ms Dabrowska based at Whiteley, has supported 300 businesses to date with UK and EU grant applications and coaching.

She said: “You need to blow away the reviewers with compelling content which shows how customers and the wider economy will benefit from your idea.

“Before the research, and putting pen to paper, you need to first step into the shoes of the reviewers. They want to be wowed, not bored, with the human touch woven in too.

“Competition is fierce – your business could be competing against hundreds of others, including marketplace rivals whose own successful application could spell the end of your venture through their new product or service.”

Innovaction Global’s programme is called Becoming a Grant Master and aims tohelps participants master grant application writing over a year, beginning next month.

Ms Dabrowska said: “The focus is on grant application writing for Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, which has helped 5,000-plus innovative companies to date and added £7.5billion and 35,000 extra jobs to the UK economy.

“We understand this to be the first programme of its kind in the UK and look forward to supporting the next wave of innovation as the economy recovers from the pandemic and technology pioneers forge ahead with new frontiers.”

She expects interest from businesses involved in emerging technologies known as the ‘seven technology families’, which are: advanced materials and manufacturing; artificial intelligence, digital and advanced computing; bioinformatics and genomics; engineering biology; electronics, photonics and quantum technologies; energy, environmental and climate technologies; robotics and smart machines.

Companies taking part in the company’s programme must have a turnover of more than £1million.