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About Us  

At The IT Factor, we believe that every business has the potential to thrive—with the right support, guidance, funding and strategy. Whether you're dreaming of starting something new, taking your first steps as an entrepreneur, or growing an established business, we’re here to help you unlock your potential and move forward with confidence.

Why the IT Factor?

The IT Factor is more than just a catchy name. It’s the spark that sets successful entrepreneurs apart: vision, resilience, and the right support at the right time.

We combine deep strategic insight with hands-on experience across grant funding, business planning and growth development. Our aim is simple: to help ambitious individuals and businesses go further, faster—and more confidently.

From identifying the right funding opportunities to shaping stronger project cases, supporting applications and connecting businesses with trusted specialists, we’re building a space where ideas take shape and businesses move forward.

Meet the Founder: Lucinda Matkin

I'm Lucinda Matkin—Chartered Accountant, Licensed Insolvency Practitioner, and founder of The IT Factor. With over 25 years in business finance, I've guided companies through every stage of their journey—from nascent ideas to high-growth transitions, and yes, even through recovery when things haven't gone according to plan.

Lucinda Matkin, Founder of The IT Factor, Chartered Accountant, Grant Funding Specialist

My Journey

Early in my career, I worked at Business Link. I specialised in connecting companies with innovation funding and developing compelling business cases for substantial grants. This experience revealed to me the transformative power of strategic finance and the critical importance of building strong foundations early.

This insight led me into business restructuring, where I honed my skills at prestigious firms, including PriceWaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”) and Duff & Phelps. I worked on significant projects, including preparing Jessops for flotation on the stock market and managing the administrations of household names, e.g.Rover and Adams Childrenswear. These complex, high-stakes environments taught me precisely what separates sustainable businesses from vulnerable ones.

After several years in national practice, I decided to establish my own firm. Before launching my independent practice, I briefly joined Derby City Council, where I established and managed the £20 million Derby Enterprise Growth Fund, supporting ambitious businesses and evaluating funding applications from the provider's perspective.

In 2012, I founded LM Insolvency & Advisory, a boutique practice where I guided businesses through financial challenges and restructuring. From advising owner-managed startups to managing complex liquidations, I helped companies navigate their most challenging moments. Most importantly, I recognised how many of these situations could have been prevented with proper guidance earlier in their journey.

Why I Created The IT Factor

After decades of working with businesses through growth, change and challenge, one thing has always been clear: businesses need the right support at the right time.

Whether a business is seeking funding to invest, navigating the complexities of growth, developing a new project or considering its next stage, timely advice and financial clarity can make all the difference.

I founded The IT Factor to help more businesses move forward with confidence. By combining financial expertise with a practical, forward-looking approach, The IT Factor exists to help entrepreneurs and business owners understand their options, access suitable funding opportunities and make informed decisions about projects that matter.

Whether you are in the earliest dreaming stages, ready to launch, investing in growth or developing something new, my mission is to help you explore what funding may be available, strengthen your project case and make IT happen.

Dream IT

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Start IT

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Grow IT

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Fund IT

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Research & Develop IT

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Exit IT

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Dream IT • Start IT • Grow IT • Fund IT • Research & Develop IT • Exit IT •

OUR MISSION

At The IT Factor, our mission is simple: to deliver expert, practical, and trustworthy business support that empowers entrepreneurs to confidently dream, start, and grow their ventures—with clarity, credibility, and the right funding at every step.

We bring together decades of financial and commercial experience with a focused, personal approach — helping entrepreneurs and business owners identify suitable funding opportunities, strengthen their project case and turn potential into progress.

CORE VALUES

1. Credibility Over Clickbait

We are not influencers. We are qualified professionals. Our advice is based on real-world knowledge and a deep understanding of grant funding. No hype, no guesswork, just practical guidance that delivers results.

2. Relationships Built on Understanding

We take the time to understand your business, your project and what you are trying to achieve.

Grant funding is rarely one-size-fits-all. By understanding the purpose, costs, timing and impact of your project, we can help identify opportunities that are more relevant, realistic and worth pursuing.

3. Proactive Support

We don't wait for you to come to us. When we see a grant opportunity, funding call, or potential collaboration that aligns with your goals, we bring it to you. That's the difference between having a service provider and having a true business partner in your corner.

4. Integrity & Accountability

We take our responsibility seriously. Our clients trust us with their ambitions, and we honour that with honest advice, realistic strategies, and a commitment to doing what’s right—not just what’s easy.

5. Collaboration & Connection

We believe great businesses don’t grow in isolation. Through our network of partners, funding sources, centres of excellence, and collaboration opportunities, we connect you with the people, resources, and opportunities you need to take your business to the next level.

We make it happen.

Real stories Real results.

  • The fabulous pods at 3 Trees Glamping in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Supported by The IT Factor for grant funding.

    3Trees Glamping - Funding secured for solar panels, a new pod, and a home office setup—supporting their growth and sustainability goals.

  • A great café in the centre of Bakewell for a coffee, and a slice of cake or a full English breakfast. The Gallery Cafe, supported by The IT Factor for grant funding.

    Gallery Café, Bakewell - Over £6k grant secured to upgrade to commercial kitchen equipment—improving service speed, food quality, and reducing waste.

  • Innovative boats being manufactured at Hartley Boats, in Derby. Supported by The IT Factor for grant funding.

    Hartley Boats, Derby - Over £50k in grant funding secured for CNC tooling and solar panels—supporting innovation and energy efficiency.

Let’s Make Your Funding Happen

You could be just one conversation away from unlocking thousands in funding.

If you're ready to explore your options, we're here to help turn opportunities into actual funding. Take the first step toward securing the financial support your business deserves.

Prefer to talk it through?

Simply call Lucinda on 07972928153

Call us

Already know what you’re looking for?

Simply submit the Funding Enquiry Form, and we will identify the funding opportunities for you