INNOVATION LABS

Helping businesses and entrepreneurs in Croydon to innovate and grow.

Innovation Labs are free to join. Running until March 2025.

Businesses

Who should join?

Our Labs are for you if you work in, manage or own a business in Croydon borough, and at least one of the below statements apply:

  • I want to enable and support innovation within my business.

  • I want to test new products, services or events to increase profit margins.

  • I want to explore collaborations with other businesses in my local area that are experiencing the same challenges.

  • I want to expand into and engage new markets.

  • I’ve tried new offerings but I’m not seeing the results I want.

What will I gain?

You’ll engage in a series of one-to-one sessions with our expert consultants who will act as an invaluable resource for your business.

At the end of the programme, you’ll walk away with:

  • Practical Innovation Frameworks: Learn to navigate both current and unforeseen challenges with confidence. Our frameworks will empower you to prepare your business effectively and prioritise new ideas while de-risking them at the same time.

  • Expert Insights: Benefit from the expertise of specialist consultants who have made strides in innovation with access to real case examples that illustrate proven strategies for success.

  • Sustainable Profitability: Discover new services, events, and processes tailored to ensure your business remains sustainably profitable in today’s dynamic market.

Entrepreneurs

Who should join?

Our Labs are for you if you are an entrepreneur, freelancer or self-employed, and at least one of the below statements apply:

  • I want to explore starting a business or convert my passion into financial reward.

  • I have a business idea and want to pitch it for funding.

  • I want to learn cutting-edge entrepreneurial methodologies.

What will I gain?

If you’re looking to explore how to convert your passion into financial reward, we’re here to help. We provide free expert guidance and practical tools to turn your business idea into a reality.

At the end of the programme, you’ll walk away having:

  • Brainstormed and refined your business ideas in a structured, actionable way.

  • Focused on the most impactful steps to bring your ideas to life.

  • Learned creative approaches to solving customer challenges and spotting market opportunities.

  • Worked with experienced advisors to make progress quickly and confidently.

  • Met like-minded individuals to build your network within Croydon’s entrepreneurial scene.

What is a Lab?

At Impact Croydon, we take a scientific approach to innovation. Access one-to-one coaching and practical innovation support from the team to explore the following:

Customer Discovery

We’ll explore how to map and segment your customer base, identifying opportunities to engage new markets and adapt to changing customer preferences and behaviours.

Ideation

We’ll align your offerings with market needs, using proven frameworks to uncover creative, actionable solutions that address real customer challenges.

Testing

Practically de-risk your growth ideas with small-scale experiments. From designing customer surveys and landing pages to structuring grant appliations and pitch decks, we offer hands-on support.

Scaling Up

We’ll guide you in scaling validated ideas, helping you secure funding, build collaborations, and recruit the talent needed to grow sustainably.

Funding

Discover public and private funding opportunities, with expert support to write grant applications and create pitch decks to secure financial backing.

  • “The team has helped me transform my idea from an initial concept into a fully thought out project, the structure of the workshops and the accountability has been great and kept me on track. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without it."

    Alan

  • "This programme has truly accelerated the growth of the business exponentially, and I’m incredibly grateful for your support."

    Sam

  • "The coordination and organisation of all the events were great and the team's passion and desire to help and support everyone was second to none and admirable."

    Ayo

  • "I am using some of the skills and tools learnt at the workshops with the team to generate more ideas for future projects."

    Robert

  • "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."

    Katrina

  • "This is a brilliant programme that gives SMEs a great structure for innovating in their work."

    Naomi

  • "It’s an incredible opportunity to take time to think about my idea and have support and expertise to take it from a dream to a serious possibility."

    Andy & Cat

  • "The programme has given me a framework to think about problems, ways to encourage my colleagues to put forward problems and arrange my priorities within the organisation in a logical and resilient format."

    Hugh

  • "The workshops were very helpful and addressed many of the pitfalls entrepreneurs usually encounter."

    Graham

  • "Most interactive programme I’ve been on to date! The workshops really helped me flesh out my ideas. The visual element is a keen learning style for me, which I found extremely useful when validating and making sense of my ideas."

    Sarah

Ready to innovate?

To get started, book a consultation with one of our specialist innovation advisers.

What’s it like working with us?