Practical Courses for Founders and Innovators

Our courses provide the practical frameworks and expert guidance you need to build winning grant proposals and apply powerful design thinking methods.

Read the Founder’s Guide to Grants: Sustainability Edition Report: here

Grant Funding Fundamentals Course and Grant Application Support

Grant Funding Fundamentals covers the basics of accessing grant funding, from where to look for grants to tips for writing grants, packed with resources and templates. It’s the most comprehensive course available on UK government grants. If you’ve used AI to write your grant and want help to check it through, use our application review service to get an expert to look over your application before you submit.

Foundation Course

Expert-designed course with templates, resources and videos

Preview the course here

Grant Strategy Builder

Access 2 x 2.5hr live workshops plus course

£475+VAT

Turn your idea into a competitive application.

Two intensive workshops where we build your grant strategy together, from eligibility validation to impact evidence. Leave with a clear roadmap and the confidence to write a winning bid.

Application Review

Includes in-depth review with a 1.5hr video call, plus course

£1,250+VAT

Get an expert's eyes on your application before you submit.

A thorough, independent review that catches the gaps funders spot and shows you exactly how to strengthen your case. Direct feedback and practical fixes.

Application Review & Coaching

Includes 2 x 4 hours of coaching sessions, with review and course

£2,975+VAT

Your guide to write your own grant application.

Combine our detailed expert review with strategic one-to-one coaching. We'll work through every section together, ensuring your application demonstrates exactly what funders need to see.

£225+VAT

Build your grant strategy from the ground up.

Get the framework, evidence templates, and practical tools you need to move from vision to a fundable project. Master the fundamentals and set yourself apart from the competition.

What past students said

  • "I found the tips in the Grant Funding Fundamentals online course and workshops to be incredibly practical. The guidance was immediately applicable, helping me feel far more prepared to build a grant strategy. I now have a clear understanding of what is needed for opportunities like the Smart Grant, which had previously felt overwhelming. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to strengthen their approach to grant writing and boost their confidence in navigating funding applications."

    Ana Silva, Replica Biomaterials

  • "Grant Funding Fundamentals was a game-changer for me. The course offered clear, actionable insights that took the mystery out of the grant application process. Each session was packed with practical advice, examples, and resources that made the complex world of grant writing feel accessible and manageable. I left feeling confident and equipped with the tools needed to approach grant funding strategically. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to improve their grant writing skills and maximise their chances of success!"

    Saba Riaz, LeafyColl

  • “The quality and quantity of information was incredible, backed up with practical templates to follow along with and implement ourselves – this made the whole workshop very engaging and very very useful!”

    Benn Klewpatinond, Inond

Design Thinking for Deep Tech Course

Design Thinking for Deep Tech

We show you how design thinking applies to Deep Tech ventures. We take you from concept to commercial success.

You're a scientist or engineer with breakthrough technology. But building a company requires completely different skills: understanding customer needs, designing business models, planning strategic pathways, and communicating with investors.

This course bridges that gap, teaching you design thinking adapted specifically for deep tech realities: long timelines, regulatory complexity, manufacturing challenges, and high capital requirements.

In 18 practical lessons, you'll develop customer empathy, strategic thinking, and systematic execution capability, transforming from researcher to entrepreneur.

With Dr Chloe Sharp as your instructor. An academic herself who became an entrepreneur.

Preview the course

£249 +VAT

Add Sharp Insight to your grant

Work with Sharp Insight by adding us as a subcontractor in your grant application.

We have lots of experience in writing grants, whilst we have transitioned away from offering this as a main service, we have wrapped up all we’ve learned in the courses above, with light grant support.

If you’re looking for a grant writer, get in touch, and we can direct you to one.

Get in touch

Sharing thoughts

Grants

  • Sustainable Times Article: A Founders Guide to Grants: Sustainability Edition: here

  • Sustainable Times Article: Innovate UK Grants in 2025: What Sustainability Start-ups Need to Know: here

  • Enterprise Nation Webinar: Unlocking grant opportunities for your small business: here

  • South East Midlands Growth Hub: Eight Tips for Writing a Successful Grant Application: here

  • Barclays: Sustainable Tech Startup Grants: here

Product

  • Enterprise Nation Article: Five tips for conducting brilliant competitor analysis: here

  • Helio Blog Post: Product Development Research Guide to Slow and Fast Research: here

  • UXTweak Podcast: Making products that matter: here

  • The Institute of Creativity Podcast: How to make products that matter: here

  • Video Podcast: How to Build Products That Matter: Dr Chloe Sharp: here

  • Video Podcast: Product Development - Coffee with Ems: here

  • Female Product Leads: Storytelling for Product Leaders: here