Electronics and Embedded Systems

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

Electronics and embedded systems are critical to the performance, safety, and reliability of countless products and technologies in the UK. From medical devices and industrial machinery to automotive systems, consumer electronics, and IoT (Internet of Things) solutions, embedded electronics power the technologies we rely on every day.

But designing and developing reliable electronics is far from simple. Whether you’re working on circuit boards, firmware, sensors, or control systems, your business may be overcoming technical uncertainties that qualify for R&D tax relief. The relief is designed to support companies making scientific or technological advancements, such as improving performance, miniaturisation, efficiency, or system integration.

Qualifying activities go beyond routine electronics assembly or off-the-shelf component use. You need to be tackling problems where the solution isn’t clear from the outset, and where experimentation, prototyping, and testing are required to achieve success.

Here are some examples of activities that could qualify for R&D tax relief in electronics and embedded systems:

Designing Custom Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)

Engineering new PCB layouts to meet specific size, performance, or power requirements, especially where signal integrity, electromagnetic compatibility, or thermal management issues must be overcome.

Developing Low-Power or High-Efficiency Systems

Creating energy-efficient electronics for battery-powered devices, wearables, or IoT sensors where power management and performance optimisation require technical innovation.

Overcoming System Integration Challenges

Integrating hardware and software in complex systems, such as medical devices or industrial machinery, where multiple sensors, actuators, or control units must work seamlessly together.

Improving Wireless Connectivity and Communication Protocols

Developing or optimising wireless communication technologies, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LoRa, or proprietary protocols, to improve range, reliability, or data security in embedded systems.

Developing Real-Time Control Systems

Engineering embedded software and firmware for real-time control applications, such as motor control, robotics, or safety-critical systems, where timing and reliability are paramount.

Solving Miniaturisation and Packaging Challenges

Developing compact electronic assemblies that fit into constrained spaces without sacrificing performance, reliability, or heat management.

Enhancing Device Security and Firmware Integrity

Implementing secure boot, encryption, or secure over-the-air (OTA) firmware update mechanisms to protect devices from unauthorised access or tampering.

Meeting Industry-Specific Certification Requirements

Developing products to meet UK and international certification standards, such as CE marking, UKCA compliance, or safety standards for medical, automotive, or industrial electronics.

If your business is involved in pushing the boundaries of electronics design, embedded systems development, or system integration, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. This incentive helps UK companies recover a portion of their investment in technological innovation, supporting future development and competitive advantage.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.