The challenge
Blink is a specialist digital marketing agency for large-catalogue Shopify stores, with a particular focus on SEO and PPC. While established in 2011, the agency has focused heavily over the last few years on solving complex data and software engineering challenges. Its R&D is found in the development of sophisticated internal systems required to ensure the agency can operate at significant scale while maintaining a high degree of accuracy for its clients.
For five years, Blink claimed R&D tax relief with another adviser. Aware of the R&D scheme changes, heightened compliance environment and potential financial and reputational risk of filing a non-compliant claim, it sought a new advisory partner that could help navigate those challenges and protect it from risk.
It has since filed two claims with ForrestBrown’s support and is currently preparing a third.
ForrestBrown’s value
Blink’s work focuses on deep tech and complex data science that can be difficult for non-specialists to grasp. ForrestBrown’s industry-experienced technical experts quickly understood the necessity of these high-accuracy, scaleable systems.
ForrestBrown qualified the R&D effectively, ensuring claims are fully optimised while protecting Blink from risk in a more rigorous compliance environment.
Impact on the business
R&D tax credits have been invaluable for Blink, allowing it to reinvest in the business. Given the heightened compliance environment and HMRC’s compliance focus, Blink benefits from having its claims prepared by a trusted adviser, helping it to save time and minimise disruption.
Client reflection
ForrestBrown has proved to be a trusted, proactive R&D partner. While R&D tax relief offers a significant opportunity, it comes with risk and having a reliable partner, with a deep understanding of the rules, has been invaluable. We have been able to draw on their technical expertise to optimise the claim, while protecting ourselves from risk.
Sam Wright | Managing Director and Founder | Blink SEO