Innovation for SMEs

Innovate Today, Lead Tomorrow.

Innovation isn’t just for corporates - we help scale-ups and high-growth businesses expand their product and service offerings, turning market insights into scalable, revenue-generating products. Using data-driven strategy, real-world testing, and lean practices, we de-risk innovation and accelerate growth.

ABOUT

Your Strategic Partner for Product and Service Innovation

Are you a medium-sized business looking to diversify your product or service offerings to accelerate growth? We can help make that happen.

At Studio Zao, we help scale-ups and fast-growing businesses unlock their next stage of growth through tailored, data-driven innovation consultancy.

We guide you through the complexities of product or service expansion - ensuring every new offering is rooted in real customer needs, operationally viable, and positioned for market success.

By combining AI-powered insights with our years of hands-on innovation expertise, we accelerate decision-making, reduce costs, and help you take the next step faster - all while de-risking the process.

From identifying untapped market opportunities to validating concepts and supporting go-to-market plans, we provide the insights and frameworks to help you take the next step with confidence.

  • Hymid

    We supported local plastic injection moulding specialist, Hymid, in developing and launching its first own-brand product — a robust custom plastic hard case — securing £65,000 in international sales, grant funding, and driving a projected £330,000 annual revenue increase.

  • The Wandering Wild Spa

    We supported local wellness business, The Wandering Wild Spa, in expanding their festival-based hot tub offering by launching a new mobile sauna experience — doubling event bookings, hiring 15+ staff, and securing year-round income through permanent off-season sites.

  • Torbay Gin

    We helped Torbay Distilling Company validate market demand for a new product, resulting in the successful launch of Torbay Rum. The expansion increased revenue, attracted a new customer audience, and accelerated growth—prompting the move to a larger facility to scale production and meet rising demand.

BUSINESS GROWTH SERVICES

Strategy & Insights

We help de-risk new ideas by getting the strategy right from the start, using data-driven insights to guide impactful innovation.

  • Customer Segmentation and Mapping

  • Product & Service Portfolio Gap Analysis

  • ROI and Feasibility Assessments

  • Opportunity Prioritisation Frameworks

Testing & Validation

We validate concepts quickly through fast, low-cost, and evidence-led experiments to reduce risk and ensure market fit.

  • Hypothesis Mapping and Prioritisation

  • Rapid Piloting and Experimentation

  • Customer Engagement and Data Collection

  • Evidence-led Concept Validation

Development

We turn tested concepts into market-ready products and services while supporting fundraising to help scale validated ideas.

  • Go-to-Market Strategy and Roadmap

  • Supply Chain & Operational Feasibility Checks

  • Investment Pitch Development and Fundraising Support

  • Partner Engagement

Capability Building

We equip teams with the skills, frameworks, and mindsets to drive continuous innovation through hands-on training and development.

  • Staff Development and Innovation Bootcamps

  • Embedding Agile and Lean Ways of Working

  • Innovation Culture Development

  • Frameworks for Continuous Experimentation

Business Growth Programmes

Innovate Today, IMPACT Tomorrow.

We help local authorities and councils build innovation ecosystems by empowering high-potential SMEs with the skills, frameworks, and connections to innovate, scale and drive meaningful economic IMPACT. Through Hackathons, Accelerators and 1:1 Labs, we design and deliver business growth programmes that generate new commercial opportunities for people and places.

BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMMES

Your Partner for Local Innovation-led Growth

Are you a local or regional authority looking to support high-growth businesses and strengthen your local economy?

Strong businesses create strong communities. When SMEs grow, they don’t just generate profit - they create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen local economies.

That’s why we partner with local and regional authorities to help scale-ups and mid-sized businesses at critical growth stages diversify their product and service offerings — unlocking new revenue streams while delivering tangible value to their communities. Every new product or service isn’t just a market opportunity; it’s a catalyst for employment, innovation, and long-term economic resilience.

Our approach combines data-driven strategy, real-world testing, and capability building to ensure growth is sustainable and scalable. By aligning business objectives with community impact, we help local economies thrive through business innovation.

Bootcamps

Accelerators

Labs

Community Hacks

OUR IMPACT

250

Businesses Supported

30

New Products or Services Launched

20

Jobs Created

15

Businesses Entered New Markets

OUR PROGRAMMES

Our IMPACT Programmes

Our IMPACT Programmes, fully-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, are designed to do exactly that — turning innovation into a catalyst for local economic growth.

We work with councils, local authorities, anchor institutions, universities and industry clusters to deliver long-format programmes that help businesses to create new products, services, and models that address regional challenges. From strengthening technology and hospitality sectors in Torbay to revitalizing Croydon’s after-work economy, our tailored initiatives drive meaningful, measurable outcomes.

PARTNERS

CONTACT

Let’s talk growth.

Ready to expand your offerings and accelerate growth? Or looking to drive real IMPACT in your area?

Fill out the form, and we’ll be in touch to explore how we can help make it happen.

  • “For businesses that need help with diversifying, this programme is really good in giving you the tools and time to think about new ideas separate from your normal working environment. Being taught how to work through idea generation in a really logical, simple way just makes the process much easier.” Katrina Dickinson Managing Director at Metaphor

    Katrina Dickinson

    Managing Director at Metaphor

  • “What I really valued about the programme was the structured process that Studio Zao took us all through to crystallise the problem that we were trying to solve, for whom we were solving it, why it was important, and the value of solving that particular problem for our key stakeholders.”

    Graham Kennedy

    Founder/Director at Alexoria Consulting

  • “There has been a strong degree of understanding, empathy and flexibility in how Studio Zao have pivoted with the circumstances that we’re facing on the programme, and that’s why we’re keen to keep working with them beyond the end of the contract.”

    Paul Kirkbright

    Head of Partnerships at Business Innovation & Growth South London (Sponsor / Client)

  • “We came into the programme with an idea that we felt was already ready to go to market. But we took a step back and by taking it through this very structured and rigorous process, we found that we’ve refined it and actually transformed it into a much stronger, simpler and more credible idea.”

    Jill Finch

    Director at Branch & Bird and Autistic Community Hub CIC

  • "The insight gathering, casting, research, planning, delivery and amalgamation into the final published report was well executed. The team brought expertise and an elevation of the conversation which enabled South London Partnership to play a convening role and allowed organisations from a range of sectors to collaborate openly in shaping the discussions and outcomes. Studio Zao are quick, responsive and work efficiently which was essential for this piece of work. The team were tenacious and helped us keep on track to deliver at pace."

    Polly Persechino,

    Head of Economy, Skills and Employment, South London Partnership

  • "Our workshops with Studio Zao were incredibly useful for supporting colleagues in developing their knowledge exchange projects. Moving into KE can be daunting for some academics but the input sessions from Studio Zao provided us with a range of tools and skills for getting started and growing these projects confidently. The advice and suggestions from Chris and Charlotte were thought provoking and inspiring, and I hope we are able to work with them again to support more colleagues to develop their work. Huge thanks for the Studio Zao team!"

    Kate Scott,

    Knowledge Exchange Lead, Kingston University

  • "SZ have been pragmatic and efficient in their undertaking of the Torbay UKSPF programme. The team have forged great relationships with businesses and stakeholders and have remained resilient throughout. I have been impressed with the headway they have made in Torbay, despite no prior experience in the vicinity. I have personally really enjoyed working closely with Chris, Flora and other members of the team and the IMPACT programme has added value to our business community."

    Gemma Fitzsimmons,

    Economic Development Manager & UKSPF Lead, Torbay Councilhere