A Growth Forge Case Study: Tikos’ Journey

Image: Left: Don Liyanage, Chief Scientist at Tikos. Right: Mike Oaten, Founder at Tikos.

Meet Mike Oaten – an adventurous entrepreneur who once cycled from England to Istanbul!

Mike is the CEO of Tikos, a cutting-edge company helping developers build trustworthy AI applications. 

After Tech South West supported his successful exit from an earlier company, Mike joined Growth Forge to take Tikos to the next level.

We sat down with him to chat about his experience with Tech South West’s Growth Forge programme, the support he has received and the contacts he’s made.

Discovering Growth Forge

Mike’s entrepreneurial journey started with a company called Regulation Technologies. They built a digital twin of all private companies in the UK, using open data to map connections between companies, shareholders, directors, and other entities. This provides a comprehensive, interconnected view of the corporate landscape. 

This innovative concept led Mike to Tech South West’s StartUp Studio programme, where he learned the ins and outs of building a business. 

The result? Regulation Technologies was acquired by another company attempting to develop similar technology.

Onto the next adventure…

But it was Growth Forge that really helped Mike level up with his new venture, Tikos. 

Tikos tackles the common pitfalls in generative AI projects, like trust and compliance issues, by providing tools that help developers build safer, smarter AI systems. Their unique IP addresses problems such as hallucination, advanced reasoning, and explainability.

Why Growth Forge?

Mike joined Growth Forge with Tikos to build a scalable business. The programme provided the perfect platform to get the necessary support and guidance.

“Growth Forge hooked us up with experts who make a real difference” says Mike, “We’re talking legal advice on intellectual property, help with fundraising, and invaluable networking opportunities.”

“I’d been in start-ups before, but Growth Forge gave me the bigger picture. It’s one thing to have an idea, but wrapping a business around it? That’s where Growth Forge shines.”

“It’s one thing to have an idea, but wrapping a business around it? That’s where Growth Forge shines.”

Mike Oaten

Legal and Financial Support

One of the biggest wins for Mike was the legal support from Brett Lambe at Ashfords, a Growth Forge partner expert. Tikos looks to commercialise years of research, so understanding legal ownership is a crucial component to their success. 

“Having an easy conversation with someone who’s an expert and isn’t going to charge you – that’s very welcome” Mike said.

On the financial side, Tikos is currently raising £250,000 with guidance from Ben Cooper, Funding and Support Lead at Tech South West, and co-founder of Angel Investors Bristol. 

Mike said “We had a one-on-one call where Ben gave me a steer on our pitch deck and timelines. It’s that kind of support that boosts your confidence and direction.”

Building a Network

For Mike, one of the standout benefits of Growth Forge is the robust network it provides. Being a solo business head can be challenging at times, but having a community to bounce ideas off can provide quick and invaluable answers. 

“Just this morning, I was on a peer group call and got offered a 30-minute brand review from award-winning marketing agency Program”, Mike recalls. “We haven’t had any professional input on our branding, so having someone give us a quick health check is fantastic.”

Establishing a presence

Growth Forge isn’t just about resources; it’s about creating visibility and making the right connections. Tech South West covers a wide geographic area, and being part of Growth Forge helps businesses like Tikos gain prominence in the local tech scene.

“You don’t know what opportunities will come your way once you’ve got some visibility” says Mike. “Being part of Growth Forge has definitely helped increase our profile.”

“You don’t know what opportunities will come your way once you’ve got some visibility. Being part of Growth Forge has definitely helped increase our profile.”

Mike Oaten

“Growth Forge has got you covered”

So, what’s Mike’s top tip for other South West tech businesses thinking about joining Growth Forge? 

“The right people are in the room, no matter the size of your business. Whether you’re looking for funding, legal advice, or just some direction, Growth Forge has got you covered.”

Tech South West’s Growth Forge programme is built for tech businesses in the South West. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, apply now to join a thriving tech ecosystem that’s ready to support your journey.

Other companies on the programme include digital booking applications, in-house data driven marketing tools, enterprise configuration management, healthcare research software, renewable energy power systems, and more across a diverse range of specialisms in the tech sector. 

For more information and to apply, visit www.techsouthwest.co.uk/growthforge.