Dr Chloe Sharp
Business Leadership, Research and Funding Speaker
After spending years watching brilliant entrepreneurs pour their hearts into products that never found their market, Chloe realised the problem wasn't the ideas, it was the approach. Too many of us fall in love with our solutions before we understand the problems we're solving.
That's why she focuses on evidence-based research and strategic funding approaches that see results. Whether she is speaking on panels or giving a keynote, she shares the frameworks that she has used to help clients secure over £10 million in funding and validate ideas before they become expensive mistakes.
She believes the best innovations come from truly understanding what people need, not just what we think they want. And she loves helping audiences discover how to do exactly that, and quickly, through research that reveals real demand and funding strategies that support sustainable growth.
Recent speaking engagements
2025 Events
Innovate UK - The Changing Landscape of IUK grants
Don't Settle Conference (ADPList) - Building Side Businesses for Tech Professionals
Female Product Leaders Keynote - Transformational Leadership and Storytelling for Influencing
ProductTank (Milton Keynes)
MK:U/Cranfield - Professional Skills Conference
2024 Highlights
Enterprise Nation Grant Masterclass - Focus on grant strategy for growth
Natwest Accelerator Programme - Grant Writing and Application Strategies, and identifying markets
Design in Product Conference - Setting and Defending Priorities
International Women's Day STEM - Celebrating Women in Innovation
Grant Funding Panellist - MKEBC, Natwest Accelerator and Silverstone Technology Cluster
Previous Notable Events
Cranfield University - Empowering Women in Business Panel
MK Geek Night - Product Development Journey talk
MOTUS Provocation Sessions - Panel speaker discussing evidence-based approaches in brand
Design and Innovation Meetup - Fast and cheap research in times of austerity
MK:U/Cranfield - Storytelling for upcoming leaders and negotiation
Enterprise Nation - Panel for Startup Saturday
Grant Funding Overview at Vulcan Works, Northampton, Cambridge Tech Week, Undaunted and Carbon13
Why choose Chloe as a panellist or speaker
Over 15 years, Chloe has helped secure more than £10 million in grant funding for clients and coached leaders over 100 hours, to support them through critical business decisions. This real-world experience means she doesn't just talk theory, she shares what actually works when you're trying to validate ideas, secure funding, or build something that matters.
Chloe has spoken at events across the UK and internationally (US, Geneva, Rotterdam, Austria), from intimate workshops to major conferences. Whether she is delivering a keynote at Design in Product, running workshops for Enterprise Nation, or joining panels with Santander and Innovate UK, she focuses on giving audiences practical insights they can use immediately.
Event organisers tell Chloe they choose her because she can make complex topics accessible, share genuine stories from the trenches, and always leave time for the questions that matter to people building businesses and careers in innovation.
Proven Track Record:
£10M+ in grant funding secured for clients
100+ hours of leaders coached and mentored
15+ years research and business development experience
Multiple industry recognitions for innovation and leadership
Speaking Experience:
Multiple industry keynotes and workshops across the UK and internationally
Featured speaker at Design in Product, Enterprise Nation, Natwest Accelerator, Cranfield University
Panel speaker with Santander, Innovate UK, Local Growth Hubs
Expert contributor to Rosenfeld Media conferences, Female Product Leader events and local meetups
Academic Conferences across Switzerland, Geneva and Austria to share research findings
Core speaking topics: Conferences and events
Stop Building Solutions Nobody Adopts
How sustainability startups can validate real market demand before wasting time and money
Storytelling for Leaders
Inspire your stakeholders with storytelling techniques, that work from boardroom to business case
Grant Landscape for Innovation x
Securing government funding for sustainability projects through evidence-based applications
Measuring What Matters: Impact, SROI + Social Value
Proving real environmental and social outcomes that stakeholders and funders trust
People-First AI for Mission-Led Businesses
Implementing automation and AI that serves your sustainability mission, not undermines it
Available formats
Keynote Presentations
30-60 minutes
High-impact opening or closing presentations that inspire and educate
Interactive Workshops
2-4 hours
Hands-on sessions where participants work on real business challenges
Panel Discussions
60-90 minutes
Expert insights on growth, funding, leadership, and innovation topics
Masterclasses
Half or full day
Deep-dive training sessions with practical tools and frameworks
Virtual Presentations
30-45 minutes
Engaging online sessions designed for remote audiences
There are no upcoming events at this time.