Discover how RIEm at Brunel helped Emmanuel Tchombe secure a £50K Innovate UK grant and launch Falcon Tag, an AI-powered smart logistics startup.
The need
In 2016, Emmanuel Tchombe noticed emerging musicians lacked affordable studio access and career support—just as streaming platforms were reshaping the music industry. He launched Loop Music, a subscription-based platform connecting artists with recording studios and creative spaces.
However, he faced major early challenges: limited funding, user reluctance to pay, and juggling the venture with a full-time job. To sustain the platform, Emmanuel began hosting paid workshops and events.
The solution
A chance visit to Brunel University reconnected Emmanuel with his former lecturer, Dr Tatiana who introduced him to the RIEm (Research, Innovate and Emerge) programme in early 2023. Paired with mentor Isabel Ward, Emmanuel received practical, expert-led support to bridge his knowledge gaps in entrepreneurship and funding.
RIEm sessions helped him decode complex grant processes, write compelling problem statements, and define his market—skills he immediately used to apply for an Innovate UK grant.
The outcome
In June 2023, Emmanuel secured a £50,000 Innovate UK grant, allowing him to pivot his technical expertise into a new venture: Falcon Tag, an NFC and AI-powered tracking system for smart supply chains.
The grant funded a working prototype, opening doors to potential trials with major retailers and NHS sites. Now employing two staff and several subcontractors, Emmanuel aims to grow to 20 employees and secure three major clients within two years.
RIEm played a vital role in Emmanuel’s growth—not just in business, but personally. With new clarity, confidence and direction, he is now positioned at Somerset House, leading a company that aims to redefine logistics and sustainability.
“RIEm reaffirmed my curiosity—it made me feel like I can offer more. In just three sessions, I gained knowledge that would’ve taken months to find. They didn’t just give advice—they opened doors.”
Emmanuel Tchombe, Founder of Falcon Tag
"Emmanuel has been keen to make most out of the RIEm journey. His 'can-do' approach and enthusiasm helped him to secure a grant immediately after attending the programme. His regular interaction with relevant Brunel experts and taking their support at appropriate stage of his company's growth has been another outcome of Emmanuel's participation in RIEm,"
Dr Michael Joseph (RIEm Programme Lead)
Get in touch with the project team member(s) for this case study
Paratharayil
i have managed large partnerships for 15+ years in private sector, in over 25 countries including for a large consultancy group in senior management role. i have led capacity strengthening programmes in the uk and overseas on resource mobilisation and funding diversification. i have secured large funding and investment in health, education, research and innovation. i manage research and innovation and knowledge exchange partnerships with businesses and health sector actors in the field of health and med tech innovation. i conceptualised and lead brunel's award winning research, innovate and emerge (riem) programme to strengthen the capacity of businesses to optimise innovation and access funding to take the solution to the market. i am a member of brunel’s business innovation board and contribute to early career academic capacity development programmes and south asia regional working group in addition to innovation ecosystem management with businesses. i previously successfully led the delivery of brunel’s business resilience fund. i am a vice chair of uk public administration \association (ukapa). reuters named me as one of the top 10 influential international programme managers in 2010. i speak at national and international conferences on innovation funding systems. i completed my phd in public health and am a fellow of the higher education academy (uk). connect with me on linkedin
Dr Michael Paratharayil
I have managed large partnerships for 15+ years in private sector, in over 25 countries including for a large Consultancy Group in senior management role. I have led capacity strengthening programmes in the UK and overseas on resource mobilisation and funding diversification. I have secured large funding and investment in health, education, research and innovation. I manage research and innovation and knowledge exchange partnerships with businesses and health sector actors in the field of Health and Med Tech innovation. I conceptualised and lead Brunel's award winning Research, Innovate and Emerge (RIEm) Programme to strengthen the capacity of businesses to optimise innovation and access funding to take the solution to the market. I am a member of Brunel’s Business Innovation Board and contribute to Early Career Academic Capacity Development Programmes and South Asia Regional Working Group in addition to innovation ecosystem management with businesses. I previously successfully led the delivery of Brunel’s Business Resilience Fund. I am a Vice Chair of UK Public Administration \Association (UKAPA). Reuters named me as one of the top 10 influential international programme managers in 2010. I speak at national and international conferences on innovation funding systems. I completed my PhD in Public Health and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). Connect with me on LinkedIn
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Case study last modified 03/07/2025