In 2024, we asked the Tees Valley region what does innovation mean to you, and why? The answer: “new, efficient, and iterative”.
Now, we’re looking to understand whether the Tees Valley is delivering on its own definition. Further, we’re looking at what’s needed to make the region more attractive to outside innovators and investors, and how we can grow our reputation as a home for innovation on a national and international scale.

Embeddable, like so many others are proud to call the Tees Valley home. A region of rich industrial history, with a future that has the potential to lead the way in digital on an international scale.
For that potential to be realised though, requires a significant amount of creativity, resilience, support, investment, communication, and much more. Not just from those in the region already, but those outside of it.
With that in mind, this year’s survey focuses on two things:
Innovation can apply to every business and therefore this survey is open to every business, both those inside of the Tees Valley with “insider” knowledge of our innovation efforts, and those outside of the region, where our innovation efforts to date may or may not have reached.
Our goal is to understand what we do well, and what is needed to improve, for people and businesses to succeed with innovation in the Tees Valley.
As part of the 2026 survey, Embeddable will donate £1 for each completed survey entry to a charitable cause, up-to £1,000. Before we launch the survey on January 12th, we’d like your help to select that charity.
The 2026 survey will feature commentary from a number of key figures both inside and outside of the Tees Valley.
The author of the 2026 edition’s foreword will be announced soon. Watch this space.
Sharon Starkey is managing director of Resolution, a strategic marketing agency based in Stockton. Passionate about purposeful communication, she leads a skilled team creating outcome-focused campaigns that help clients grow and engage effectively.
Sharon champions Teesside’s talent, combining creativity, strategy and results-driven storytelling to elevate brands and businesses.
Bev is a qualified chartered accountant and MD of AbacusBean Limited, based in Stockton-on-Tees.
Abacus Bean specialise in looking after tech businesses and making sure they do the right thing, at the right time in terms of tax and accounting. You do the innovation and – in Bev’s own words! – AbacusBean deal with the boring bits!
Rebecca is an Investment Manager at Maven Capital Partners UK LLP. Maven is one of the UK’s most active SME investors, and Rebecca is part of the North East regional investment team based in our Middlesborough, Newcastle and Durham offices.
Rebecca is originally from Billingham, Teesside and has a strong network across the Tees Valley and the wider region, working with ambitious founders to understand their funding requirements for growth
Peter Calvert is the Founder of Embeddable and a proud Teessider who is passionate about technology, innovation, and supporting businesses to succeed with tech on their side. As a fractional CTO, Peter supports startups and scaling businesses with board-level technology expertise that allows them to raise investment, grow safely, bring new products to market and, ultimately, reach their own definition of success.
Embeddable, your fractional Chief Technology Officer with no long-term contracts and flexible engagement models.
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