Anthony Sheehan

Entrepreneur / Global Entrepreneurs Programme Dealmaker

Started as a journalist, founded 2 businesses in his 20s. Then 15 years senior exec roles running sales, product & innovation units with global US tech companies Qualcomm & Sun Microsystems. Also led successful EU market entries for VC-funded mobile video pioneer Packetvideo and data analytics specialists Urban Science. Returned to entrepreneurship in 2011 developing core NLP & geospatial engine and founding news media analytics & personalisation platform Near You Now. Currently also working on drone venture partnered with Welsh Ambulance Service to deliver defibrillators to cardiac arrest patients by UAV.



Simon Sprince

Entrepreneur / Global Entrepreneurs Programme Dealmaker

Simon’s background is in digital media with over 20 years experience of content and application production. He has an in-depth understanding of digital industry’s key sub sectors as well as the technologies and markets that drive them.

After spending years working at the intersection between industry and academia, he set up Focus Innovation. The team at Focus specialise in analysing user and market trends in order to identify the essential factors needed to influence the development of new products and services.
Over the past 6 years, Simon has been providing specialist consultancy services to the Department for International Trade. Firstly, as a Digital and Software Sector Specialist and currently as a Dealmaker on the GEP programme.
Simon has experience of working with companies of all sizes from large multi-nationals such as Ubisoft and Activision, to innovative scale ups who add to the UK’s Innovation eco-system. Providing companies access to market, research relationships, routes to R&D finance and venture finance.



Tim Luft

Entrepreneur / Global Entrepreneurs Programme Dealmaker

Tim is a Digital Media Entrepreneur based in the West Midlands. His focus surrounds the roll-out and exploitation of new technology as a platform to support teaching and learning. Tim has held previous roles (Head of ICT and Innovation at West Midlands Regional Development Agency) established University Digital Media Institutes which have researched the use of 3D environments for teaching and learning. Tim established his own Virtual Reality development studio in the Marches and facilitates technology which boasts the latest advances in 3D simulation and virtual reality where he serves as Managing Director. Tim sits on the LEP Telford Business Board and is a panel member on the Wolverhampton University Green Shoots initiative. He is an expert in early stage technology start up, scale-up and investment ecosystems, has experience of capital raising, investor community creation and education, investor platforms and has successfully raised finance for tech start-ups.